Lyla Dejesus
Decorating a wedding cake is a fun part of planning a wedding. There are endless ways to decorate a wedding cake, from simple to intricate designs. Couples can choose to decorate their own cake or hire a professional baker to do it for them. A classic choice is a white wedding cake covered in fondant or buttercream, which can be dressed up with statement-making decorations. Flowers, either real or made from fondant or gum paste, are a popular choice for wedding cake decorations. Other options include intricate piping, fresh fruit, dried grasses, gold leaf, and geometric patterns. The cake can also be personalised with the couple's names, initials, or a picture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Icing | Buttercream, fondant, ganache, glaze |
| Icing type | Smooth, textured, ruffled, piped, hand-painted |
| Icing colour | White, silver, gold, blue, yellow, green, pink, cream, lavender, fuchsia |
| Cake topper | Figurines, monogram letters, clay animals, romantic phrases, fresh flowers, paper sails, rice paper sails |
| Other decorations | Flowers, fruit, chocolate shavings, gum drop flowers, chocolate kisses, silver bows, ribbons, licorice candy, edible silver balls, edible gold leaf |
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What You'll Learn
Using fresh flowers
Fresh flowers are a beautiful, budget-friendly way to decorate your wedding cake, and will match the rest of your wedding flowers perfectly. However, it's important to be aware that some flowers are toxic, and therefore unsafe to use on cakes.
When choosing fresh flowers for your wedding cake, opt for organically grown, edible flowers, such as roses, herbs, bay, some dahlias, some peonies, jasmine, marigolds, pansies, lavender, violas, carnations, cornflowers, and sunflowers. Flowers bought from a supermarket, garden centre, or florist are best avoided, as these may have been sprayed with insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. If you are using a florist, ask them to provide you with flowers that haven't been treated with pesticides.
Before placing the flowers on your cake, let them hydrate overnight in clean water. The next day, cut the stems to approximately 2-3 inches long and wrap them in floral tape to prevent any bitter-tasting fluids from leaking into the cake. If you want to avoid wrapping the stems, you can place a frosting-covered board on top of the cake and adorn it with flowers. This can be easily removed when it's time to cut the cake.
If you want to add flowers to the sides of your cake, or position them at particular angles, you can wrap the stems in floral tape and use bubble tea straws to secure them in place. Simply trim the straws to a few inches and insert them into the cake at the desired angle. Then, slip the flower stems into the straw openings.
It's best to add fresh flowers to your cake on the day of your wedding, as flowers need water to prevent them from wilting. If you're having a summer wedding, bring the cake out just before you plan to cut it, instead of leaving it out in the sun all day.
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Adding chocolate shavings
Preparing the Chocolate:
Before creating chocolate shavings, it is important to choose the right type of chocolate. Dark, milk, or white chocolate can be used, each resulting in a slightly different effect. Dark chocolate will provide a rich and elegant look, while milk chocolate will create softer curls, and white chocolate will give a lighter and sweeter appearance. Ensure that you select high-quality chocolate for the best results.
Tools and Techniques:
There are several tools you can use to create chocolate shavings, including a vegetable peeler, a microplane grater, a knife, or a potato peeler. A vegetable peeler is great for creating wide, flat shavings, while a microplane grater is ideal for delicate, fine shavings. If using a knife, a smooth-edged chef's knife is recommended. To create the shavings, hold the chocolate bar with one hand and carefully scrape or shave the chocolate with your chosen tool.
Melting the Chocolate:
For curled chocolate shavings, you can slightly soften the chocolate before creating the shavings. This can be done by warming the chocolate in a microwave at 50% power in 5-second increments, or by using a hairdryer on its lowest speed held about 20 cm away from the chocolate. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as you only want to soften it slightly without melting it.
Creating the Chocolate Shavings:
When creating the chocolate shavings, it is important to work quickly, especially if you are working in a warm environment, as the chocolate can start to melt. If it becomes too soft, place it in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes to firm it up. Experiment with different angles and pressure while shaving the chocolate to achieve your desired shape and size. For longer curls, run the peeler or knife along the long side of the chocolate bar, and for smaller curls, use the short side.
Applying the Shavings to the Cake:
Once you have created your chocolate shavings, it is time to apply them to your wedding cake. You can start from the outer edge of the cake and work your way towards the centre, creating a gradient effect with larger shavings on the outside and smaller ones towards the middle. Alternatively, you can use stencils to create specific shapes or outlines on top of the cake, adding a creative touch. Distribute the shavings evenly across the surface of the cake, using as much or as little as you prefer.
Troubleshooting:
If you find that the chocolate is becoming too soft or melting too quickly, chill the chocolate in the freezer for a few minutes before shaving. If the shavings are not adhering properly to the cake, lightly press them onto the frosting and store the cake in a cool place until ready to serve. To prevent the shavings from sticking together and clumping, ensure that your tools are sharp and clean.
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Creating a cascade of flowers
A cascade of sugar flowers on a wedding cake is a romantic, elegant, botanical, and timeless design. It is not the easiest design to execute, especially if you are new to cake decoration, but the following tips and steps will help you create a stunning floral cascade.
Firstly, consider the shape of the cascade. Do you want the flowers to circle the cake 360 degrees, or would you prefer a straight line going diagonally from the top to the bottom? Alternatively, you could opt for a snaking cascade along the front or a cascade that only adorns the middle tiers. If you want to include a cake topper, ensure you leave enough room at the top of the cake.
The number of flowers you will need depends on the desired look. For a maximalist, filled-to-the-brim effect, you will require plenty of flowers. Graduated sizes of flowers work well for cascades, with the biggest flowers at the bottom and the smallest at the top. Adding leaves or vines/stems can help to create a more natural look and fill in any gaps. You can use sugar leaves or opt for edible leaves like mint or rosemary to save money and keep the decorations food-safe.
For a four-tier cake with 6", 8", 10", and 12" layers, each about 4-5" high, here is a guide to the number of flowers you will need for a full cascade:
- 6" tier: 3 small flowers
- 8" tier: 4-5 small to medium flowers
- 10" tier: 4-5 small to medium flowers
- 12" tier: start with 5-6 medium or large flowers, then fill in with 4 or 5 smaller flowers
If you want to create an even bigger impact, add more flowers to the top of the 6" cake, such as 3 or 4 small to medium blooms.
For a more minimalist cascade on a three or four-tier cake, around 8 or 9 flowers are perfect, especially if you use slightly larger blooms.
When using fresh flowers, remember to only choose organically grown, non-toxic varieties that have not been sprayed with chemicals or pesticides. Examples include roses, herbs, bay, some dahlias, some peonies, jasmine, and marigolds. Fresh flowers are "squishier," so you will need to use more than you would with sugar flowers.
If you are using sugar flowers, each petal must be hand-rolled, cut, shaped, dusted, and taped into place, which is why sugar flower cascades are the most expensive option and the most luxurious. Sugar flowers are not suitable for semi-naked or buttercream cakes as they do not like moisture.
If you are unsure about the safety of your flowers, do not use them. It is better to be safe than sorry. Opt for edible flowers from a reputable supplier or use completely edible herbs.
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Using icing and piping techniques
There are many piping techniques that can be used to decorate a wedding cake. Before you start, it's important to have a well-frosted cake to work on. A good frosting will make a big difference to the finished product. Buttercream is a popular choice for hand-piped designs, but fondant can also be piped onto.
The type of piping bag you use is also important. There are pros and cons to each. For example, disposable plastic piping bags are easy to clean, but they can be tricky to hold. Reusable cloth piping bags are comfortable to hold and easy to refill, but they can be a pain to clean and disinfect.
There are many different piping tips to choose from, but the three basic shapes are round tips, star tips, and rose/ruffle tips. Round tips are used for piping writing, beading, or small detail work with intricate patterns. Star tips are used for shell borders, stars, and rosettes, and rose/ruffle tips are used for creating buttercream roses and ruffles.
When you're ready to start piping, it's important to hold the bag securely and be confident in your work. Keep a steady amount of pressure when you want the icing to flow, and release the pressure completely when you want to finish a shape. This will give you much better control and prevent the icing from peaking or being drawn out into messy lines.
- Stars: Use an open star tip and squeeze the bag evenly while counting to make even stars.
- Shells: Use an open star tip and squeeze the icing in one spot, then continue to squeeze while pulling the tip away. Double back to start the next shell.
- Strings of pearls: Use a round tip to pipe strings of pearls and dots by squeezing the icing slowly and pulling the bag and tip up to finish each pearl.
- Basket weave: Pipe vertical lines first, leaving a gap between each one, then pipe lines perpendicular to the parallel lines, alternating over and under.
- Rosettes: Use a closed star tip and pipe a tight circle, then swing the tip up to finish.
- Leaves: Use a leaf piping tip and squeeze in one place for a wider leaf base, then continue to squeeze and move the tip to the side, tapering off at the end.
- Roses: Use a round tip to pipe an upside-down acorn-shaped mound of frosting, then use a tapered petal tip to pipe circles of frosting around the centre.
- Beadwork: Use a round tip to pipe beads in the same way as shells with a star tip.
These are just a few examples of the many piping techniques that can be used to decorate a wedding cake. With practice, you can create elegant and special designs to impress your guests.
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Choosing a cake topper
Flowers
Fresh flowers are a popular choice for wedding cake toppers, adding a romantic and elegant touch. You can choose flowers that match your bouquet or the floral arrangements at your venue. If you're worried about fresh flowers wilting, you can use silk flowers or sugar flowers, which are made from fondant or gum paste and can be eaten. Sugar flowers are a great way to achieve an authentic floral look while still being edible.
Monogram Letters
If you want to add a touch of glamour to your cake, consider using monogram letters as a cake topper. You can choose letters that are gilded or made from metallic foil to match your wedding colours. This is a great way to showcase your joint initials and make a statement at your reception.
Figurines
Traditionally, wedding cake toppers featured miniature figurines resembling the couple. You can find custom cake toppers that resemble you and your partner, or you can choose more lighthearted options, such as clay animals or "love birds" resting on a branch to symbolise your union.
Edible Decorations
Another option is to use edible decorations as your cake topper. You can use fresh fruit, such as orange slices or lemon wedges, to add a splash of colour and a tasty flavour to your cake. Alternatively, you can use chocolate shavings, especially if your cake is chocolate flavoured. Candied flowers or gum drop flowers are also unique and fun options that your guests will enjoy.
Symbolic Accents
If you want your cake topper to symbolise your love and commitment, consider using symbolic accents such as two interlocking hearts or a pair of "love birds". These can be made from a variety of materials, including fondant, sugar paste, or even magnetic chrome letters, as suggested by one creative couple.
When choosing a cake topper, consider your wedding theme, colours, and personal style. It's also important to think about the size and proportions of your cake to ensure that your cake topper is the right scale. Don't be afraid to get creative and choose something that truly represents you and your partner.
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Frequently asked questions
Fresh flowers are a popular choice for wedding cake decorations. If you're nervous about real flowers wilting, you can use fondant to create sugar flowers that look authentic and are edible. If you're using fresh flowers, you can place single-stem blooms on a white cake to create the illusion that they're growing out of the cake.
Gold leaf is a great way to make your wedding cake shine, whether the wedding is in an opulent ballroom or an industrial warehouse. You can incorporate gold leaf with just a few splashes, or douse the entire dessert in it.
Decorating your wedding cake with fresh fruit will add a splash of colour and a tasty flavour. Citrus fruits like orange slices and lemon wedges are a great option for spring and summer weddings.
