Creating Custom Wedding Cake Toppers: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding cake toppers are a great way to add a unique and personalised touch to your special day. Whether you're looking for something rustic, chic, vintage, or modern, a DIY cake topper is a fun project that can be kept as a special keepsake for years to come. From hand-painted wooden pegs and clay letter toppers to glitter hearts and pom-poms, the possibilities are endless. So, if you're feeling creative and want to add a little extra pomp and circumstance to your wedding, making your own cake topper might just be the way to go!

Handmade cartoon-themed cake toppers

Comic Book-Style Cake Topper

For a wedding with a comic book theme, consider creating a cake topper inspired by your favourite comic book characters. You can find pre-made cartoon cake toppers online, or you can get crafty and make your own. One idea is to use a simple cut-out design, featuring a fun and romantic comic book-style speech bubble. Simply cut out your chosen phrase, such as "Wham!" or "Bam!" from colourful paper or cardboard, and attach it to a stick or skewer to poke into your cake. You could even add a small picture of the happy couple in a comic book-style burst.

Disney-Inspired Castle Topper

If you're a Disney fan, why not create a magical Disney-inspired castle cake topper? You can find pre-made castle toppers online, or you can make your own using cardboard, glitter, and small LED lights. For a Cinderella-themed wedding, a glowing castle topper will be sure to make your cake stand out. Add some extra magic with a horse-drawn carriage cake stand, or a cake base decorated with sugar glass slippers.

Custom Cartoon Portrait Topper

For a truly unique cake topper, consider commissioning a custom cartoon portrait of the happy couple. You can find artists online who can create personalised sculptures or illustrations of the bride and groom, incorporating their features and wedding attire into a fun cartoon character design. These toppers are often made from materials such as acrylic or clay and can be kept as a special keepsake after the wedding.

Cartoon-Themed Accessories

If you want to add a subtle touch of cartoon whimsy to your cake, consider using cartoon-themed accessories as decorations. For example, you could use small cartoon character figurines, sugar craft creations, or even Lego figures to represent the couple. Alternatively, opt for a simple cake topper with a cartoon-inspired twist, such as a "Just Married" banner in a fun and colourful font.

With a bit of creativity, you can easily incorporate a handmade cartoon theme into your wedding cake topper, adding a unique and playful touch to your special day.

Rustic wooden banner cake toppers

A rustic wooden banner cake topper is a beautiful addition to any wedding cake and a lovely keepsake to treasure for years to come. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating this DIY project for your special day:

Materials:

• Wood slices: Look for thin wood slices, preferably from a craft store, to use as the base for your banner. You can also order these online or, if you're feeling adventurous, cut them yourself from a larger piece of wood.
• Twine or string: You will need something to hang your banner from the wood slices. Twine or string in a colour of your choice will do the trick.
• Wooden letters: Decide on the phrase you want to display, such as "Mr & Mrs," "Love," or your initials. Then, source small wooden letters to spell out this phrase. Craft stores and online retailers typically carry a variety of options.
• Glue: A strong adhesive is essential for assembling your banner. Hot glue or a similar type of glue will ensure that your letters stay securely attached to the twine or string.
• Paint or stain (optional): If you want to customise the colour of your wood slices or letters, choose a paint or stain that matches your wedding colour palette.

Instructions:

• Prepare your wood slices: If needed, sand down the wood slices to create a smooth surface. You can also paint or stain them at this point if you desire.
• Assemble the banner: Cut a length of twine or string that is long enough to hang between two wood slices with some excess on each side. Glue the wooden letters onto the twine, spacing them out evenly. Allow the glue to dry completely.
• Attach the banner to the wood slices: Once the glue on your banner is dry, carefully glue each end of the twine to a wood slice. Again, ensure that the adhesive you use is strong enough to hold the weight of the banner.
• Add any final touches: If desired, you can embellish your cake topper with additional details such as small flowers, greenery, or ribbon.

Tips:

• When sourcing your materials, consider purchasing from wedding-specific retailers, as they often carry products designed for this purpose.
• If you're feeling creative, you can decorate your wooden banner with paint, glitter, or other craft supplies to make it even more unique.
• Ask for help if needed! This project is much more enjoyable with a friend or family member by your side, and it will ensure that your cake topper turns out exactly as you envision.

With these simple steps, you can create a beautiful rustic wooden banner cake topper that will be a perfect addition to your wedding cake and a cherished memento of your special day.

Edible ink macaron cake toppers

Macarons are a delightful addition to any wedding cake, and with edible ink, you can take these colourful treats to the next level. Here are some ideas and instructions for creating edible ink macaron cake toppers for your special day:

Choosing Your Macarons

Firstly, decide on the number of macarons you'll need. If you're serving a macaron tower alongside other treats, one macaron per guest is sufficient. However, if you're opting for a standalone tower, consider providing two macarons per guest for a more generous offering.

Next, select your macaron colours. Macarons shine in pastel hues, and you can even create an ombre effect with light pinks and tans, finished with a complementary flower. If you want to keep things simple, opt for a single flavour and colour, like a charming blue or pastel rainbow. For a whimsical look, incorporate multiple bold colours. You can also hand-paint designs onto your macarons, such as flowers, ferns, or a monogram for a personalised touch.

Edible Ink Designs

With edible ink, you can add custom designs, patterns, or messages to your macarons. This is a unique way to incorporate your wedding theme, colours, or even a fun illustration. You can purchase edible ink specifically designed for this purpose, along with the necessary tools like edible ink pens or food-grade printers.

Display Ideas

When it comes to displaying your edible ink macaron cake toppers, the possibilities are endless. You can place them directly on the cake, creating a beautiful cascade of colour and texture. Alternatively, you can create small clusters of macarons around the cake, or even form a separate macaron tower for a sophisticated and elegant presentation.

For added flair, consider incorporating fresh blooms that match your wedding flowers or colour palette. You can also include gilded details, like a splash of gold, to elevate the overall look. Ribbons, signs, and clay accessories can also be used to enhance the visual appeal and tie the entire display together.

Final Thoughts

Crown cake toppers

If you're making your own, you'll need a crown template, an Xacto knife or scalpel, and gum paste. First, rub your surface with shortening to prevent sticking, and cut out the crown template. Roll out the gum paste to around ⅛" or 3mm thickness, ensuring it's at least 12" long and 5" tall. Rub the gum paste surface with shortening, lay the template on top, and smooth it down before cutting. Use a ruler for a straight edge and cut the bottom of the crown about an inch taller than the template. Cut out the top pattern with your Xacto knife.

For the next step, you'll need a cylindrical object to act as a mould for the crown. Rose Atwater, a cake decorator, used a 28 oz can of baked beans wrapped in wax paper. Wrap the gum paste around the mould, securing it with shortening, and press the seam together at the back. Let it dry for at least 24 hours, but 48 hours is best. Once dry, gently slide it off the mould and you're ready to decorate.

You can paint or spray the crown with edible colour, or add embellishments like edible jewels. Atwater sprayed her crown with gold PME spray and then added gold disco dust for extra sparkle.

If you're short on time, you can purchase a crown cake topper from Etsy. They offer a wide range of styles, including gold, silver, and rose gold crowns, as well as crowns with rhinestones and other embellishments. You can find mini crowns, large crowns, and everything in between to suit your cake size. Some sellers even offer customisations and personalisations to make your crown cake topper extra special.

Polaroid picture cake toppers

A Polaroid picture cake topper is a creative way to add a personal touch to your wedding cake. This idea is perfect for a DIY wedding and can be kept as a special memento long after the cake has been eaten.

To make a Polaroid picture cake topper, you will need a few supplies:

• Polaroid pictures: Choose your favourite photos that you want to display on the cake. You can select pictures of the happy couple, or even include photos of your furry friend all dressed up for the big day.
• Wire or card holders: These are used to securely hold the Polaroid pictures in place. You can find these on Etsy and Amazon, in a variety of styles, including wire floral picks, heart-shaped holders, and simple wire holders.
• Mini pennant flags: For an extra decorative touch, add some mini pennant flags around the Polaroid pictures, as seen at a wedding in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.

Once you have gathered your supplies, simply assemble the cake topper by placing the Polaroid pictures into the holders and arranging them on top of your wedding cake. You can get creative with the placement and even add other decorations to complement the topper.

For an added touch of sentimentality, you could also opt for edible Polaroid pictures. These can be custom-made with your chosen photographs and are a unique way to surprise the happy couple.

Frequently asked questions