Creating A Wedding Cake Bow: A Step-By-Step Guide

A bow is a simple yet impactful addition to a wedding cake. You can make a bow out of ribbon, paper, wired ribbon, or fondant. Gumpaste is also an option, as it dries quickly and can be rolled out thinner than fondant for a more realistic look. You can even add patterns and designs to your bow, such as stars, dots, and stripes. The process for making a bow varies depending on the material you choose, but the basic steps include cutting the material to the desired length and shape, forming the loops, and securing the bow with tape, glue, or piping gel.

Using gumpaste and fondant to make a bow

Gumpaste and fondant are both great options for creating a bow for a wedding cake. They can be used to make a bow of any size, whether it's a small one for the top of a cupcake or a larger one for the front of a wedding cake. Using these materials allows you to create a bow that looks like it's made of soft fabric, adding a cute and versatile touch to your cake.

To make a gumpaste or fondant bow, you will need the following tools: fondant or gumpaste, a ruler, a pizza cutter, a rolling pin, a paper towel, cornstarch for dusting the work surface, a scraper or metal spatula to lift off stuck fondant, and a fine brush. Combining gumpaste and fondant (with a ratio of 90g of gumpaste to 40g of fondant) gives you more time to work, especially when rolling out larger panels, before the mixture starts to dry.

First, roll out the paste using a rolling pin to your desired thickness. A thinner roll will give a more realistic look to your bow. Next, using a pizza cutter and a ruler as a guide, cut out rectangular shapes for the loops, tails, and centre knot of the bow. For a standard-sized bow, the loops should be around 2.5 inches by 6 inches, the tails can vary in length, and the centre knot should be roughly 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches.

Now it's time to assemble the bow. Brush one side of a loop rectangle with water, then make a tube with the paper towel and insert it inside the rectangle to create the opening of the bow loop. Fold the rectangle from one end to the other, pinching the ends together. Repeat this process for the second loop. For the tails, cut two more rectangles with the same width and your desired length. You can cut one end into a "V" shape for a fish tail or at a 45-degree angle. Pinch the uncut ends together and cover the tails with plastic to avoid drying too fast.

For the centre knot, fold the two ends of the rectangle about a quarter of an inch inside, then turn it over and make some creases in the middle. Place the pinched sides of the loops facing each other, brush the underside of the knot piece with water or gum glue, and place it on top of the pinched ends of the loops, tucking it underneath.

Let the finished bow dry until it holds its shape. You can brush it with luster dust to add some sparkle. Finally, place the tails on the cake using buttercream or royal icing, and set the bow on top of the tails. Adjust the loops and tails as needed to get them sitting just right.

How to prepare your cake for a ribbon

Preparing your cake for a ribbon is a simple process, but it's important to do it right to ensure your cake looks perfect. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your cake for a ribbon:

Firstly, measure the circumference of your cake and cut a strip of ribbon that is long enough to wrap around it. If you're using a buttercream cake, it's important to keep it cold as this will make it easier to handle and prevent any mess when applying the ribbon. You can also use a fondant cake, which tends to be easier to work with as it is not greasy like buttercream.

Next, cut a strip of parchment paper that is slightly shorter than your ribbon. This will act as a barrier between the cake and the ribbon, preventing any grease or colours from staining the ribbon. Wrap the parchment paper around the cake and secure it with a piece of cello tape.

Now it's time to attach the ribbon. Wrap it around the cake, over the parchment paper, and secure the ends with a non-toxic glue stick. You can also use small dabs of royal icing to glue the ribbon to itself, especially if you're working with a fondant cake. Alternatively, you can use a lighter or candle flame to carefully seal the edges of the ribbon to prevent fraying.

If you're using a buttercream cake, it's best to wait until just before delivery to apply the ribbon. For fondant cakes, you can attach the ribbon earlier. Remember to keep your cakes cold to make the process easier and to prevent any mess.

With these steps, your cake will be beautifully prepared for a ribbon, and you can finish it off with a bow or any other decorations of your choice!

Making a bow with wired ribbon

Start with a long piece of wired ribbon, preferably at least 2 yards in length. Create a loop with the ribbon and then wrap the remaining length around this loop in a continuous circle. This will form the base of your bow.

Determine the desired length of the tails of your bow. Add an extra 2 inches to this length, as you will need the extra ribbon for the next steps. Once decided, fold the loop in half from the centre.

Pinch the centre of the folded loop and wrap a matching pipe cleaner tightly around it. Twist and tighten the pipe cleaner, then trim off any excess length.

Cut vertically through the centre of the bow's tail to create two separate tails. Make sure the cut reaches almost to the pipe cleaner in the centre.

Using these two tails, tie a standard knot around the centre of the folded ribbon. This will help cover up the pipe cleaner and secure the bow in place.

Adjust and fan out the loops of your bow to achieve the desired shape and fullness. You can also trim the tails if you want a neater appearance.

Finally, attach the bow to your wedding cake. You can use a small amount of icing or a brooch to secure the bow in place.

By following these steps, you can create a stunning wired ribbon bow that will elevate the look of your wedding cake. Feel free to experiment with different colours and patterns of ribbon to match your wedding theme!

Making a paper bow

Firstly, you will need some cardstock paper, a pencil, scissors, and glue. You can also use a printable paper bow template, which you can cut out and use as a guide.

If you are using a template, trace the outline onto your cardstock paper with a pencil and cut it out. If you are not using a template, you will need to cut out the following pieces: two pieces for the main bow (8cm x 18cm), one piece for the centre of the bow (8cm x 7cm), two pieces for the tails (8cm x 20cm), and one long piece for the ribbon around the cake (8cm x 48cm).

Now, let's assemble the bow. Place a small dot of glue in the centre of the bow piece with the rounded edges. Take one of these pieces and fold it in half without creasing. Press the square tip to the centre of the dot of glue. Add another dot of glue and repeat with the other side. This piece will be your bow loops.

Next, add some glue to the centre of the tail piece and gently press the centre of the bow loops on top. Wrap the small band cutout around the centre of your bow and glue the ends together at the back.

You can add some final touches to your paper bow. For example, you can cut the ends of the tails diagonally to give them a classy pointed look. You can also cut an even triangle from the ribbons so that the point of the triangle is in the centre of the tail, creating a chevron cut.

And there you have it! A beautiful paper bow that will add a unique and elegant touch to your wedding cake.

Making a floral bow

Firstly, you will need to gather your tools and materials. For a floral bow, you will need some kind of paste or fondant, such as gumpaste or Squires Floral Paste, as well as a ruler, a pizza cutter or scissors, a rolling pin, a paper towel, cornstarch for dusting your work surface, a brush, and some water or gum glue. You may also want to prepare a plastic sheet to avoid your creation drying too fast.

Once you have your materials, start by rolling out your paste or fondant with the rolling pin to a thickness of about 1/8". Using your ruler and pizza cutter or scissors, cut out two rectangular shapes, each measuring about 2 1/2" by 6". You can adjust these measurements to make a smaller or larger bow.

Brush one side of each rectangle with water or gum glue. Then, take your paper towel and roll it up or fold it over to make a tube shape. Insert this inside one of the rectangles to open up the bow. Now, carefully fold the rectangle from one end to the other, pinching the ends together.

For the tails of the bow, cut two more rectangles with the same width as the loops but with a length of your choice, depending on the look you want to achieve. You can cut a V-shape on one end for a fish-tail end or at a 45-degree angle. Pinch the uncut ends together and cover the tails with a plastic sheet to prevent them from drying out too quickly.

To create the middle "knot" of the bow, cut a small piece, roughly 2 1/2" by 2 1/2". Fold about 1/4" of each end inside and then turn it over and make some creases in the middle. Brush the underside with water or gum glue and place it on top of the pinched ends of the loops, tucking it underneath.

Let the bow dry completely until it holds its shape. You can finish it off by brushing it with luster dust to add some sparkle.

And there you have it! A beautiful floral bow to adorn your wedding cake. You can place the tails on the cake first and then set the bow on top, using buttercream or royal icing to secure it in place.

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