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

Flowers are a classic and elegant way to decorate a wedding cake. Whether you're using fresh flowers, candied flowers, or intricate petals painted on with cake-safe watercolours, buttercream, or fondant, you can't go wrong. When using fresh flowers, it's important to ensure they haven't been exposed to pesticides or harmful chemicals and that they are safe for human consumption. You can use flowers to create a topper, add a cascading look, or go for a minimalist or colourful design. Flowers can also be used to tie your wedding decor together, matching the colour scheme or bridal bouquet.

Using fresh flowers

Choosing the Right Flowers:

• Safety First: When adding flowers to a cake, always prioritise safety. Avoid toxic flowers that can make someone sick if consumed. Some toxic flowers include lilies, foxglove, delphinium, and yellow jasmine.
• Edible Flowers: If you want to use edible flowers, go for roses, lavender, dahlias, pansies, and violas.
• Seasonal and Organic: Opt for flowers that are in season and, if possible, organic or free from harmful pesticides.
• Large and Small Flowers: Choose a mix of large and small flowers. Large flowers can be the main attraction, while smaller flowers and leaves fill in the gaps and create a fuller look.

Preparing the Flowers:

• Keep Flowers Fresh: Follow the instructions on the flower food packet to help keep your flowers fresh until you're ready to use them.
• Trim the Stems: Cut the stems to a length of about 2–3 inches. Also, remove any large stamens and pollen, and give the flowers a gentle shake to dislodge any loose petals or leaves.
• Disinfect the Stems: Dip the stems in a bleach solution (1 teaspoon of bleach per quart of water) to kill any bacteria. Let them sit for a minute, then wipe the stems dry. Alternatively, you can use vinegar water for disinfection.
• Create Small Bouquets: Arrange the flowers into small posies or bundles, wrapping the stems together with floral tape.
• Seal the Stems: Wrap the stem bundle with plastic wrap (such as Glad Press'n Seal) to prevent any moisture from leaking onto the cake. You can also use floral wax or chocolate as a seal.
• Use a Straw: Choose a straw that the flower bundle fits snugly into. Trim the straw slightly longer than the stem bundle. This will keep the stems separate from the cake and protect the flavours.
• Edible Glaze Spray: Spray the backs of the flowers with an edible glaze to create a food-safe surface and seal in any chemicals or pesticides. Allow the glaze to dry for about 5 minutes.

Placing the Flowers on the Cake:

• Right Before the Event: Add fresh flowers to your wedding cake as close to the event as possible, preferably the same day, to ensure they look their best.
• Hydrate the Flowers: Keep your flowers optimally hydrated before placing them on the cake. Some flowers, like orchids, gardenias, and hydrangeas, require a water source, so consider using water tubes for these.
• Avoid Direct Contact: To prevent the transfer of chemicals, avoid direct contact between the flowers and the cake. Use a barrier, such as a cake board, or insert the flowers into the cake using straws or bubble tea straws.
• Use Tools: Long-nosed pliers or hemostats can help you easily hold the flower bundles and insert them into the cake.
• Height and Dimension: Play with height and dimension when placing the flowers. You can lay flowers on top of the cake for easy removal or insert them directly for more stability.
• Remove Before Serving: Always inform the person cutting and serving the cake to remove all flowers before serving.

Using sugar flowers

Sourcing Sugar Flowers:

You can either make sugar flowers by hand or purchase them from various sources. If you're crafty, you can try making them yourself using gum paste, fondant, or royal icing. Online tutorials can guide you through the process. Alternatively, you can buy sugar flowers from cake bakers, specialised confectionery stores, or online platforms like Etsy and Amazon.

Design Ideas:

Sugar flowers offer a lot of versatility in terms of design. Here are some tips to enhance your wedding cake's aesthetic:

• Mix Sizes and Shapes: Use sugar flowers in a variety of sizes and shapes to create a multi-dimensional and visually interesting look.
• Add Textured or Iridescent Details: Include painted petals or an iridescent finish using edible luster dust to add a subtle shimmer.
• Draw Inspiration from Real Flowers: Share photos of cakes with real flowers to give your baker an idea of the style you like. Sugar flowers can be applied asymmetrically or paired with greenery for a natural, organic feel.
• Colour Coordination: Match the sugar flowers to the icing or your wedding colour palette. You can opt for pastel colours for a springtime wedding or darker hues for a winter wedding.
• Dimension and Height: Stacking sugar flowers between the tiers of your cake will add height and dimension.
• Less is More: Sometimes, a simple approach is best. A few oversized flowers or a single flower can make a bold statement on a small or minimalist cake.

Food Safety:

If you're using fresh flowers on your wedding cake, it's important to take precautions to ensure they are food-safe. Flowers from florists are typically treated with pesticides and are not edible. If using foraged flowers or those from your garden, ensure they are deemed edible by a reputable source. Cut flower stems can draw up moisture from your cake, so it's crucial to use methods like floristry wire, tape, or food-safe picks to separate them from the cake itself.

Sugar flowers offer a beautiful and safe alternative to fresh flowers, allowing you to decorate your wedding cake with intricate, edible works of art.

Using pressed flowers

Choosing the Right Flowers:

Select organically grown edible flowers for your cake. Some recommended options are Nasturtiums, Violas, and Cornflowers as they press well and retain their colour. Avoid flowers with big, thick cores, such as roses, as they won't flatten well. You can cut thicker flowers into sections or press the petals individually. Press a combination of petals, flower heads, and flowers with their stems attached to create a beautiful and varied design.

Planning Ahead:

Plan the cake decoration in advance, as pressing flowers can take a few weeks. If you're using edible flowers, make sure to source them from an organic supplier or your own garden to ensure they are safe for consumption.

Cake Type and Icing:

Consider the height and shape of your cake. A tall or tiered cake will allow you to decorate the sides, while a short cake will only provide the top surface. Any type of cake can be decorated with pressed flowers, but if you want to adorn the sides, it's best to use buttercream icing as it's soft enough to hold the flowers in place. If you're only decorating the top, any type of icing will work.

Attaching the Flowers:

Use edible glue or royal icing to attach the pressed flowers to the cake. For heavier blooms, like roses, you may need a dab of royal icing for better adhesion. If some flowers aren't holding well, gently press a wooden toothpick into a section of the flower and then push the toothpick into the cake. You can also use a small amount of buttercream to attach the flowers, especially if you're decorating on-site.

Timing:

Only add pressed flowers to your cake just before serving, as they will absorb moisture and become soft. If you're using a buttercream-iced cake, it's best to attach the flowers after assembling the cake. For fondant-covered cakes, you can attach the flowers a day in advance to allow the decoration to dry.

Sanitation:

Pressed flowers are too fragile to clean or sanitise. To avoid any consumption risk, make it clear that the flowers and fondant should be removed before serving and eating the cake.

Purchasing Pressed Flowers:

Order the pressed flowers well in advance, especially if you're purchasing them online, as shipping times can vary. Etsy is a great source for finding pressed flowers specifically marked as "edible."

Using edible flowers

When choosing which edible flowers to use, it is also important to consider their flavour and how they will complement the cake. For example, chive flowers may add an unwanted onion flavour to a cake. Flowers can be used either plain or candied. To candy flowers, use a small paintbrush to coat them in beaten egg white, then sprinkle with superfine sugar and allow to dry for several hours.

Before placing the flowers on the cake, they should be washed and dried to remove any dirt or bugs. The stalks should be cut short, and any thorns or excess leaves removed. It is recommended to add the flowers to the cake as close to serving as possible to ensure they remain fresh. The cake should be stored in the refrigerator until serving to help preserve the flowers.

Using flowers to match the wedding's colour palette

Flowers are a wonderful way to match your wedding cake to your colour palette and can be a fun DIY project. However, there are some safety precautions to be aware of. Firstly, flowers from a florist are usually treated with pesticides and are therefore not edible. You can still use them on your cake, but you should never push cut stems directly into the cake. Instead, you can use plastic flower picks, floristry wire, or a product like Safety Seal to protect your cake from the flowers.

When choosing flowers to match your wedding colour palette, you can opt for a diverse range of shades that complement each other without being too matchy-matchy. For example, you could pick a neutral colour to accent your more prominent hues, such as metallics, cream, black, or light tan. These neutral shades can help tie together the different elements of your wedding, including stationery, cake, and decor.

If you have a specific colour in mind, such as blue, you may want to focus on other elements besides flowers to incorporate it, as there are limited options for naturally blue flowers. You can still play with different textures and hues of blue to express this colour in various ways, from the lightest shade to navy.

Another option is to draw inspiration from your wedding venue and natural surroundings when selecting your flower colours. For instance, if you're getting married in a grand castle, you might choose a romantic and soft palette of pretty pastels like blush, blue, and cream. Or, if you're opting for an outdoor wedding, consider pairing vibrant colours with more subdued hues to let the natural surroundings tone down the brighter shades.

Ultimately, the key is to find a common thread that will hold your visual story together. By choosing flowers that complement your wedding colour palette, you can create a cohesive and beautiful display that adds a unique touch to your special day.

Frequently asked questions