Store-Bought To Wedding Cake: Easy Transformation

Wedding cakes can be expensive, and for those on a budget, a store-bought cake is a great alternative. You can save money by buying a plain cake from a grocery store and decorating it yourself. This option also saves time and effort, as you don't have to bake the cake from scratch. With a little creativity and some simple decorations, you can transform a store-bought cake into a beautiful wedding cake.

Choosing a cake flavour

Don't Try to Please Everyone

You won't be able to make all your wedding guests happy. Focus on finding flavours that you love instead of trying to please everyone. If they don't want a slice of cake, they can always opt for other desserts or skip dessert altogether.

Consult the Pros

Your baker is there for a reason, so use their expertise. They've likely crafted hundreds of cakes in their lifetime and know what flavours work and what don't. Ask for their best sellers and personal favourites, and be sure to taste them all!

Think Seasonally

If you're opting for a fruity flavour, consider choosing a flavour that's in season. Summer is perfect for flavours like strawberry, cherry, and blueberry, while fall is all about pumpkin spice. For winter weddings, your baker should be able to suggest some suitable options, or you could go for a classic like tiramisu, coffee, or chocolate.

Focus on Frosting

Frosting can make a big difference, and it doesn't have to match your cake flavour exactly. There are various options to choose from, such as buttercream, ganache, cream cheese frostings, and fondants. Consult your baker for suggestions, as they are the experts!

Go for Multiple Flavours

If you're having multiple tiers, why not have multiple flavours too? You can have two, three, or even seven different flavours! Just make sure the combinations still make sense together. A cupcake tower is a great way to serve multiple flavours.

Complementary Combinations

Ensure that your flavour combos complement each other. Sample everything together to make sure the icing and cake go well together and that the layers work in harmony.

Add Extras

To give your cake that extra something special, consider adding nuts, liqueurs, fruits, or marzipan to your confection.

Popular Wedding Cake Flavours

• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Lemon
• Red velvet
• Carrot cake
• Almond cake
• Spice cake
• Cheesecake
• Banana walnut cake
• Champagne cake

Ordering in advance

Ordering your wedding cake in advance is a crucial step in ensuring that you get the cake of your dreams. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Research and Planning:

Start by researching cake vendors whose style, design, and pricing align with your vision and budget. Take into account the number of guests you'll be serving when deciding on the size and quantity of cakes needed. Consider whether you prefer a custom cake or a simpler option from a grocery store bakery.

Timing:

It is recommended to book your wedding cake vendor 6 to 12 months in advance. This will give you a better chance of securing your preferred vendor and allow sufficient time for design and flavor customization. However, each bakery is different, and some might require booking even further ahead, especially if they are in high demand or if your wedding is on a busy day like Saturday. Don't delay, as their order books can fill up quickly, and you don't want to be left disappointed.

Communication:

Once you've found your dream vendor, it's time to book them! Schedule a tasting and come prepared with a list of questions. Ask about their lead time requirements and when they'll need final details and payments. Discuss the delivery process, including timing and setup, to ensure a smooth arrival on the big day.

Flexibility:

Understand that your chosen vendor might have specific booking procedures. For example, they may only accept orders a certain number of months in advance or require a deposit to secure your date. Be prepared to adapt to their processes and remain flexible, especially if you're booking at short notice.

Customization:

When ordering in advance, you'll have the advantage of customizing your cake to your liking. Discuss flavor combinations, design elements, and any personal touches you wish to incorporate. If you're ordering from a grocery store, consider requesting a plain cake with only a base layer of icing, giving you a blank canvas for decorations.

Remember, the earlier you start the process, the more options you'll have, and the less stressful it will be as your wedding day approaches.

Decorating a plain cake

Choosing Your Cake

Select a cake that suits your needs and preferences. Consider the size, flavour, and colour of the icing. If you plan to add multiple layers or decorations, a larger cake or additional cakes may be necessary. You can also choose between a round or sheet cake, depending on the desired shape and serving size.

Tools and Supplies

Before you begin decorating, gather the necessary tools and supplies. Here are some recommended items:

• Cake platter or turntable: A cake platter provides a nice presentation, while a turntable makes it easier to frost the cake.
• Cake leveler or serrated knife: Use this to trim the cake and create flat, even layers.
• Piping bag and tips: These are essential for creating decorative patterns and designs on your cake.
• Offset spatula: An offset spatula helps with frosting the cake without getting your fingers in the icing.
• Bench scraper: This tool is useful for achieving smooth sides and a clean finish.
• Sprinkles, candies, and other toppings: Choose an assortment of toppings to add colour, texture, and creativity to your cake.

Basic Decorating Techniques

• Crumb coat: Apply a thin layer of icing to seal in crumbs before adding the final coat of frosting.
• Frosting and smoothing: Use an offset spatula to apply frosting to the top and sides of the cake, then use a bench scraper to smooth out the frosting for a neat finish.
• Adding toppings: Sprinkle toppings such as sprinkles, candies, or fresh flowers around the base of the cake while the frosting is still tacky.
• Piping and decorative touches: Use a piping bag and tip to pipe rosettes or other designs on top of the cake. You can also add fresh fruit, flowers, or herbs for a natural and elegant touch.

Creative Ideas for a Wedding Cake

If you're specifically creating a wedding cake, here are some ideas to make it special:

• Romantic fairytale wedding cake: Use rock candy to create faux crystals, and adorn the cake with fresh flowers such as peonies or ranunculus.
• Simple and modern wedding cake: For a minimalist wedding, use fondant and heart-shaped cookie cutters to create a simple yet elegant design.
• Romantic and rustic wedding cake: Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and lavender, along with fresh stone fruit, create a stunning and natural adornment for a sheet cake.

Remember, decorating a plain cake is a creative process, so feel free to experiment and add your personal touch. Enjoy the process and impress your guests with your beautifully decorated cake!

Adding fresh flowers

Choosing the Right Flowers:

Firstly, it is important to select flowers that are safe to use. While some flowers are edible, others are toxic and should be avoided. Choose flowers that are in season and, if possible, opt for organic flowers that have not been treated with pesticides. Good choices for decorative flowers include carnations, roses, spray roses, pansies, lavender, and lilac. If you want to add greenery, herbs like thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves are a great option.

Preparing the Flowers:

Keep your flowers fresh by following the instructions on the packet of flower vitamins and storing them in water until you are ready to use them. It is recommended to buy more flowers than you think you need, as some may wilt.

Tools and Materials:

To attach the flowers to the cake, you will need floral tape, plastic wrap, and scissors. You may also use straws or water picks if you prefer. If you want to create a barrier between the flowers and the cake, you can use a product called Safety Seal, which is a food-safe wax, or even chocolate.

Attaching the Flowers:

There are a few methods you can use to attach the flowers to the cake:

• Wrapping the Stems: Wrap the floral tape around the stems of the flowers to prevent any fluids from leaking into the cake. This method is time-consuming but ensures the flowers are secure.
• Using Straws: Insert straws into the cake at the desired angle and then slip the flower stems into the straws. Clear bubble tea straws are recommended so they are less visible.
• Using a Cardboard Cake Board: If you don't want the flowers to touch the cake at all, place a frosting-covered cardboard cake board on top of the cake and adorn it with flowers. This way, you can easily remove the flowers before cutting the cake.

Design Ideas:

• Minimalist Cake: Use just one variety of delicate flowers, such as muscari, to create a simple and elegant design.
• Asymmetrical Cake: Create a focal spray at the base of the cake using roses and spray roses, along with herb greenery like bay leaves and thyme.
• Cascading Effect: Position flowers down the sides of a three-tiered cake in a cascading pattern for an elegant, feminine look. Garden roses, spray roses, and passion flowers work well for this design.
• Flowerfetti: Scatter edible flower petals like confetti over the cake for a colourful and textured look.

Remember to always wash and dry flowers thoroughly if they are not organic, and mark them as decorative only if they are not edible. Enjoy creating a beautiful floral display on your store-bought wedding cake!

Using a cake stand

Choosing a Cake Stand

First, you'll need to choose a cake stand that fits the style and theme of your wedding. Cake stands come in various materials, such as wood, metal, porcelain, and acrylic, and can be found in a range of colours and designs. Consider the size of your cake and the number of tiers you plan to have when selecting a stand. The stand should be large enough to comfortably accommodate your cake, with some extra space around the edges. You can find cake stands at specialty baking supply stores, home goods stores, or even thrift stores if you're looking for a unique, vintage option.

Preparing the Cake Stand

Once you've selected your cake stand, you may want to decorate it to match your wedding theme. You can wrap the stand in ribbon, fabric, or twine, or add fresh flowers or greenery for a natural touch. If you're feeling crafty, you can even try making your own cake stand using items like plates, candle holders, or wooden slices.

Assembling the Cake on the Stand

When you're ready to assemble your cake, start by levelling the cakes to create a flat surface. This will ensure that your tiers stack evenly. You can use a large serrated knife or a cake leveller for this step. Once your cakes are level, it's time to fill and frost them. If you're working with multiple tiers, it's a good idea to fill and frost each tier separately before stacking them. This will give you more control and help you achieve a neater finish.

After frosting your cakes, it's time to stack them on the cake stand. Start with the largest tier and place it in the centre of the stand. You can use a small amount of frosting or melted candy melts to help the cake stick to the stand and prevent sliding. Repeat this process for each additional tier, placing them directly on top of the lower tiers. If you're working with a multi-tiered cake, be sure to use cake dowels or bubble tea straws for support before adding each tier.

Decorating the Cake on the Stand

With your cake assembled, it's time for the finishing touches. You can decorate your cake using fresh flowers, fruit, sprinkles, candy, or fondant cut-outs. Consider adding a simple border around the base of each tier or piping dots of frosting to cover any imperfections. Remember to keep the cake chilled if it has perishable fillings or frostings. Enjoy creating your beautiful wedding cake!

Frequently asked questions