Crafting A Pop-Up Wedding Cake Card: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making a pop-up wedding cake card is a fun and easy DIY project. You can use cardstock and scrap paper in different colours, or work with whatever craft supplies you have at home. The basic steps are to cut out the cake layers, assemble the pop-up structure, and decorate the card. You can also add personal touches like candles or a bride and groom cake topper. This card is a unique and thoughtful way to celebrate a wedding or birthday.

Choosing the right paper and card stock

When making a pop-up wedding cake card, it is important to choose the right paper and card stock to ensure your card looks great and functions properly. Here are some tips to help you select the best materials:

Type of Paper

The type of paper you choose will depend on the desired look and feel of your card. Some options include:

• Solid white cardstock: This is a versatile option that comes in various weights and colours, making it perfect for printing at home. The 80# weight is ideal for most home printers, while the 100# weight can work for some printers.
• Linen cardstock: This type of cardstock has a delicate woven texture that adds visual interest and can help hide imperfections.
• Cotton cardstock: This smooth and absorbent cardstock is considered "photo-safe" and gives invitations a modern look. It is a popular choice for wedding invitations.
• Parchment: Parchment paper has a subtle, marbled look and is a unique option for spring or small, personal weddings.
• Felt: Felt cardstock has a coarse texture that adds sophistication to your invitations. It usually comes in heavier weights, so it may not be suitable for all home printers.
• Kraft: Kraft, or recycled cardstock, has a rustic look that is perfect for vintage or outdoor-themed weddings.
• Vellum: This translucent paper can be printed on or layered over illustrations, artwork, or photos. It adds subtle depth to your invitations.
• Coloured cardstock: This simple option comes in various colours and weights, making it great for pairing with coloured envelopes.

Weight of Paper

When choosing the weight of your paper, consider the following:

• 80-90# cardstock is ideal for most home printers and will not cause issues like jamming.
• 100# cardstock can work for some home printers but may cause problems for others. It gives invitations a more professional look.
• 110-130# cardstock will give your invitations a luxurious feel but may require industrial printers.
• 150# and above is considered "heavyweight" and is typically reserved for professional printers and letterpress printing.

Other Considerations

• If you plan to print at home, experiment with different print quality settings to find the sharpest results.
• Use textured cardstock to hide imperfections and give your invitations a unique look.
• If you're using a local print shop, save your invitations on a thumb drive and use cardstock with a smooth texture to avoid issues with the ink.
• Always do a test print to ensure your design and paper work well together and that your printer can handle the weight of the paper.

Using ribbon for the cake sides

When selecting a ribbon, opt for cloth ribbons made from materials such as satin or silk. Avoid the cheap ribbon used for wrapping presents, as these tend to crease easily. You can test the ribbon by folding it; if the crease stays, it's best to choose another ribbon. The ribbon can be 5/8" or 7/8" thick.

To attach the ribbon to the cake, you can use double-sided tape or glue. Cut two strips of ribbon: one measuring 6.25" and the other 10.5" (16cm and 27cm). Apply double-sided tape to one end of the ribbon and attach it to the back of the cake. Ensure the ribbon is not too tight and leave about a 1mm gap between the ribbon and the cake. Close the card halfway and attach another piece of double-sided tape between the ribbon and the front of the cake. Close the card and press firmly to secure the ribbon.

Cutting out the cake pieces

The first step to making your pop-up wedding cake card is to cut out the pieces from card stock. You can either purchase a template or create your own design. If you are using a template, the pieces should be clearly labelled, and you can gently write the corresponding letters on the pieces to keep track. Cut out the pieces carefully, making sure to cut along the dotted lines if there are any.

If you are creating your own design, start by drawing out the different layers of the cake on card stock. You can make the cake as simple or intricate as you like, with as many layers as you want. Don't forget to include a base for the cake to sit on. Once you are happy with your design, carefully cut out the pieces.

After you have cut out all the pieces, it's time to start assembling the cake. This process can be a bit tricky, so take your time and be careful not to crease the pieces accidentally. Follow the instructions provided with your template, or if you are using your own design, plan out the order of assembly beforehand.

Now, you will need to attach the cake pieces together. This can be done using glue or double-sided tape. Be sure to only apply adhesive to the tabs or slots that are meant to be attached, and avoid getting any on the visible parts of the cake. Carefully slot the pieces together, following the order specified in your instructions or design.

Once all the pieces are slotted together, gently test the structure to make sure it is secure. Be careful not to force the pieces together if they don't seem to fit, as this could cause tears or creases. If everything fits together nicely, your pop-up wedding cake is now ready to be decorated!

Assembling the cake

Now that you have all the pieces cut out, it's time to assemble the cake! First, watch a full assembly video so you can see how it goes together.

First, fold your cake support just as shown in the photo. The two tabs on the side get folded in, along with the tab at the bottom.

Next, fold your cake rounds (both large and small) as shown. The narrow strips fold down to become supports for the sides of your cake. You also fold your cake rounds into a V-shape to allow them to fold more easily when you close your card.

Now, slide your cake support up through the bottom of your large round cake, through the slot in the middle. Then open up the tabs on the side of the cake support.

Next, put your small cake round on top over the tab at the top of the cake support, and slide the side supports into the slots on the top of the large cake round. Glue the tabs of the side supports to the bottom of the large cake round.

Now decide which of the two round cake plates you want to use — plain or scalloped. Fold it in half along the score line. Then insert the tabs of the cake supports (centre and sides) into the slots on the plate, and glue down on the underside.

This is the basic structure of your cake! Now you need to decide what sort of cake sides you want — flat cardstock, crimped cardstock, or ribbon. Flat cardstock is fine, and it looks great if you never fold it. But once you fold it, the paper won't want to make a perfect circle around the cake again. So if this bothers you, there are two solutions: crimp your cardstock cake sides before you put them on, or use ribbon! All three go on in the same way.

Put double-stick tape on the four side supports of your cake. Be sure your tape does not peek out around the sides or tops of your supports — trim it off if it does, or else your cake may stick to itself instead of popping up.

Next, put the end of one of your cake sides onto a taped support and press down hard. Do this for both layers.

Wrap the sides around. When you get to the start point for each side, do not attempt to use double-stick tape — it's not strong enough. Instead, use regular tape on it — this will be the back, so the tape won't be noticeable. But you can also try to glue it (though this can be difficult).

Now, tape the candles (or whatever you want) to that tab sticking out of the top of the cake. If you decide not to put anything on the top, glue or tape that tab down flat on top of the cake so it doesn't wiggle loose.

At this point, you can decorate your cake as you please. When you're done, fold the outer card in half along the score line. Then glue the bottom of the cake plate to your outer card. Attach it while the card is opened and perfectly flat, making sure you line up the creases in the cake plate with the creases in the card.

Decorating the card

Now that the structure of your pop-up wedding cake card is complete, it's time to decorate it! Here are some ideas and tips to make your card look beautiful and elegant:

• Choose a colour scheme: Decide on a colour palette that suits the theme of your card. You can go for classic wedding colours such as white, cream, and gold, or choose colours that match the wedding theme of the couple you're giving the card to.
• Add some sparkle: Wedding cards often feature glitter, rhinestones, or other sparkly embellishments. You can use glitter glue, glue on some rhinestones, or even add a touch of metallic paint to give your card a glamorous look.
• Embellish with ribbons: As mentioned earlier, ribbons can be used for the sides of the cake to create a smooth, round shape. You can also use ribbons to decorate other parts of the card, such as the cake stand or the envelope flap.
• Create a beautiful backdrop: Use patterned paper, stamps, or stickers to create a pretty backdrop for your cake. You can also draw or paint a simple design, such as hearts, flowers, or wedding rings.
• Add some dimension: Use foam dots or small pieces of cardboard to add dimension to your decorations. This will make your card more interesting and give it a professional look.
• Incorporate wedding motifs: Include wedding-themed motifs such as doves, love hearts, or a bride and groom silhouette. You can find these motifs in craft stores or online, or you can draw and cut them out yourself.
• Personalise it: Add the names of the couple and the wedding date to make the card extra special. You can also include a personal message inside the card to wish the couple a happy married life.
• Finish with a sentiment: On the front of the card, add a sentiment such as "Congratulations" or "Best Wishes". You can use stamps, stickers, or hand-lettering to create a beautiful and elegant sentiment.

Remember to keep your decorations neat and elegant, and don't overload the card with too many embellishments. Less is often more when it comes to wedding cards. Happy crafting!

Frequently asked questions