Creating A Beach-Themed Wedding Cake: A Guide

Beach weddings are a magical affair, and a beach-themed wedding cake is the perfect way to tie your seaside soirée together. While you may associate beach wedding cakes with seashells and starfish, there are plenty of modern ways to give your cake a coastal touch. Whether you're after a simple and elegant design or something more playful and charming, the options are endless. From muted blues and soft neutrals to bright pops of colour, and from cascading florals to metallic accents, a beach-themed wedding cake can be tailored to your unique style and taste. So, get inspired by the sun, sand and sea, and create a cake that's a true showstopper!

Seashells, starfish and sand

Firstly, consider the colour palette of your cake. Whites and neutrals can be a stunning choice for a beach-themed wedding cake, creating a subtle and elegant design. You can also opt for a blue and white colour scheme, reminiscent of ocean waves. Alternatively, for a more modern look, play with muted blues, greys, and soft neutrals to evoke a contemporary feel.

When it comes to seashells, you can choose to showcase simple shells or go for a more intricate display. For a charming and elegant look, opt for a buttercream cake with a simple arrangement of blue-hued mussel shells. If you want to add a touch of glamour, consider a white cake adorned with gold-painted seashells. You can even incorporate edible shells made from fondant or other edible materials.

Starfish can also be a delightful addition to your beach-themed wedding cake. For a subtle touch, place a few small starfish toppers on your cake. If you're feeling creative, you can make your own edible starfish from fondant or sugar paste.

To incorporate sand into your design, think about using textured buttercream or fondant to create a sand-like texture on your cake. You can also use actual sand, but be sure to use food-safe sand that is clean and safe for consumption. Another option is to create a "sand-like" base for your cake using crushed graham crackers or cookies.

When decorating your cake with seashells, starfish and sand, it's important to pay attention to placement and arrangement. Group shells and starfish in clusters or create a cascading effect by placing them at different heights on the cake. You can also use other beach-themed elements, such as coral, sea glass, or small beach chairs, to complement your design.

Remember, the key to a successful beach-themed wedding cake is to find the right balance between the elements and your chosen colour palette. So, feel free to get creative, experiment with different ideas, and have fun bringing your seaside vision to life!

Blue and gold colour palette

A blue and gold colour palette is a dreamy choice for a beach-themed wedding cake, reminiscent of ocean waves at golden hour. Here are some ideas for how to make a beach-themed wedding cake with this colour scheme:

Cake Design Ideas

The cake can be designed in a variety of ways, depending on the tone and aesthetic of the wedding. For a casual beach party, bright hues and cute elements can be incorporated, such as flamingos or tropical leaves. For a more formal style, subtler, natural elements like oyster shells, sand dollars, and artistic crashing waves can be used.

Colour Scheme Ideas

To complement the blue and gold, consider incorporating other colours such as white, cream, or aqua tones. Muted blues, greys, and soft neutrals can also be used to evoke a more modern feeling. For a pop of colour, add some bright buttercream tiers or hand-painted palm leaf detailing.

Decoration Ideas

Decorations for a blue and gold beach-themed wedding cake can include cascading florals, such as orchids or tropical blooms, or simple greenery and palm leaves. For a touch of glamour, add some gold-painted coral or other metallic details. To incorporate the beach theme, consider using seashells, starfish, or sand dollars as decorations. The cake can also be designed to look like a sandcastle or have a sand-like base.

Flavour Ideas

When it comes to flavour, consider a tropical fruit filling such as passionfruit, pineapple, or coconut. For a semi-naked cake, fresh blackberries or other fresh flowers can be used as a stunning addition.

Beach-themed cake toppers

Beach Chairs and Umbrellas

Create a whimsical scene atop your cake with miniature beach chairs and umbrellas. This idea is perfect for a lighthearted and playful wedding theme. You can find edible or non-edible versions of these toppers, or even make them yourself with some crafting skills.

Seashells and Starfish

For a more elegant and subtle approach, opt for seashells and starfish as your cake toppers. You can use real shells and starfish that you've collected or purchased, or create edible versions made from sugar or fondant. This idea pairs well with a beach-themed cake that incorporates muted colours and natural elements.

Flamingos

If you're looking for something a little more quirky and fun, consider a pair of flamingo cake toppers. These can be made from various materials, such as metal or sugar paste, and can be customised to match your wedding colours. Flamingos are a perfect choice for a tropical-themed beach wedding.

Custom Bride and Groom Toppers

Take the opportunity to showcase your creativity and personality with custom bride and groom cake toppers. These can be designed to resemble you and your partner, perhaps even incorporating beach-themed elements like snorkelling gear or beach towels.

Sandcastles

For a truly unique and statement-making cake topper, consider a sandcastle. This idea is especially fitting if you're having a beach-themed wedding with lots of playful details. You can find ready-made sandcastle toppers or get creative and build your own from sand-coloured fondant or icing.

Remember, when choosing a cake topper, consider the overall theme and aesthetic of your beach wedding. Whether you're going for a casual and fun vibe or a more formal and elegant style, there's a beach-themed cake topper that will perfectly complement your special day.

Tropical fruit accents

Retro tropical fruit accents are a great way to achieve a vintage tropical wedding cake. For a semi-naked cake, consider using tropical fruits like passion fruit, pineapple, or coconut as a filling. This will add a burst of flavour and a tropical touch to your cake.

To further enhance the retro tropical theme, you can use fresh or sugar fruit accents as decorations. Slice tropical fruits like pineapples, kiwis, and oranges into thin pieces and carefully place them onto the cake. You can also create sugar fruit decorations by shaping fondant or modelling chocolate. These decorations can be made in advance and placed on the cake during final assembly. Play with different textures and colours to create a visually appealing design.

Another idea is to create a cascading fruit display. This can be done by carefully arranging the fruit pieces or sugar decorations in a flowing pattern down the side of the cake. You can also incorporate tropical leaves, such as palm leaves or monstera leaves, to add a touch of greenery and enhance the tropical vibe.

If you're feeling creative, you can even craft sugar or fondant sculptures of tropical fruits to use as cake toppers. Whether you choose fresh fruit or sugar decorations, this theme is a fun and unique way to celebrate your love in a tropical paradise.

Sandcastle cake

A sandcastle cake is a great way to wow your guests at a beach-themed wedding. Here is a detailed recipe to help you make one.

Ingredients:

• Nonstick baking spray with flour
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Fine sea salt
• Unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• Dark brown sugar
• Vegetable oil
• Pure vanilla extract
• Eggs (at room temperature)
• Buttermilk
• Confectioners' sugar
• Prepared dulce de leche
• Milk or heavy cream (for thinning the frosting)
• Graham cracker crumbs
• Cake ice cream cones
• Sugar ice cream cones
• Brown sugar cubes
• Orange and red candy melting wafers
• White candy melting wafers
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Semisweet chocolate (melted)
• Mini flag cupcake picks
• Vanilla wafers
• Marshmallows
• Vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar
• Butter or shortening
• Food colouring

Method:

Baking the Cake:

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and coat two 8-inch and two 6-inch round cake pans with nonstick baking spray. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla, and beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, then add the dry ingredients and buttermilk in increments, mixing after each addition. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of the pan.

Making the Frosting:

Combine butter and confectioners' sugar in a bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Gradually add the dulce de leche and milk or cream until you achieve a spreadable consistency. Beat in the sea salt.

Assembly:

Place an 8-inch cake layer on an 8-inch cake board and spread with caramel frosting. Top with another cake layer and cover the entire cake with frosting, using a cake smoother for an even finish. Chill the cake for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, pour graham cracker crumbs into a rimmed baking sheet. Remove the chilled cake from the refrigerator and roll the sides in the crumbs, gently patting them into the frosting. Place a 6-inch cake layer on a 6-inch cake board, spread with frosting, and repeat the crumb-coating process. Place the 6-inch tier on top of the 8-inch cake, anchoring them together with a cake dowel if desired.

Decorations:

Make the turrets by frosting the inner edges of cake cones with caramel frosting and nesting a second cone inside each. Coat the outsides with frosting and roll in graham cracker crumbs. Frost the exterior of sugar cones and roll in the crumbs as well. Pipe a thick line of frosting inside each cake cone and top with the coated sugar cones. Trim one sugar cone and coat with frosting and crumbs. Refrigerate all the decorated cones until firm. Remove the cake from the refrigerator and position the cone towers on the front. Pipe a mound of frosting under each cone to secure it in place.

Toss brown sugar cubes with honey and graham cracker crumbs and arrange them around the top edges of the cake tiers, anchoring them with dots of frosting. Cover the serving plate with frosting and sprinkle generously with graham cracker crumbs to create a sandy beach.

For the final touches, make starfish and shell decorations using candy melting wafers and a silicone mold. Brush the white candy pieces with cocoa powder to add dimension. Arrange the candy shells and starfish around the cake tiers. Create castle doors and windows by piping melted chocolate onto a template, freezing until firm, and attaching to the sandcastle with frosting.

Use a cocktail pick to make a hole in the tip of each sugar cone and insert the cupcake flags.

Your sandcastle cake is now ready to be served and admired!

Frequently asked questions