Designing A Wedding Cake Stand: Diy Guide

A wedding cake stand is a great way to elevate your cake and make it a centrepiece at your reception. You can buy a stand, but making your own is a fun DIY project that can save you money. There are many ways to make a cake stand, from gluing together wooden plaques and candlesticks to using vintage chandeliers or even Lego! You can also use items you already have, like a tree stump, a stool, or a side table. If you're feeling creative, you can decorate your stand with paint, flowers, or even a laser-engraved piece of leather.

Using a wooden plaque, candle holder and chalk paint

Making your own wedding cake stand is a fun and easy project. Here's a step-by-step guide using a wooden plaque, candle holder, and chalk paint:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need a wooden plaque, a candle holder, wood glue, sandpaper, chalk paint, clear wax, dark wax, wax brushes, lint-free cloths, and a tack hammer.

Step 2: Sand the Wooden Pieces

Lightly sand any rough edges on the wooden plaque and candle holder using sandpaper. This will ensure a smooth finish before you begin assembling and painting. Wipe off any grit with a clean, lint-free cloth.

Step 3: Assemble the Cake Stand

Using wood glue, attach the candle holder to the centre of the wooden plaque. To find the centre, try tracing your plaque onto a sheet of paper, cutting it out, and folding it into quarters. Then, poke a pencil through the centre of the paper to mark the centre point on the plaque. Alternatively, you can eyeball it!

For best results, flip the cake stand over with the plaque side facing down and place a weight on the bottom of the candle holder. Let the glue dry overnight.

Step 4: Paint the Cake Stand

Paint the entire cake stand with 1-2 coats of chalk paint, waiting about 2 hours between coats. Chalk paint dries quickly and goes on thick, creating a smooth, soft finish.

Step 5: Apply Clear Wax

To add personality and an antique, vintage look to your cake stand, apply a thin coat of clear wax all over the piece with a wax brush. Then, wipe away any excess wax with a lint-free cloth or old cotton t-shirt.

Step 6: Apply Dark Wax

Before the clear wax dries completely, apply a thin coat of dark wax in the grooves and curves of the plaque and candle holder using a bristle brush. Don't worry if it appears too dark at first. Simply wipe away the excess until you achieve the desired level of distressing.

Step 7: Let the Wax Cure

Let your cake stand rest overnight before buffing it to your desired sheen. Keep the stand free of moisture for 7 days to protect the finish.

And that's it! You now have a beautiful, rustic wedding cake stand, perfect for displaying your cake and adding a handmade touch to your special day.

Engraving a leather plaque and attaching it to a log

To make your own wedding cake stand, you could try engraving a leather plaque and attaching it to a log. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Sourcing Materials

Firstly, source a suitable log for the base of your cake stand. Look for a log that is sturdy and has a relatively flat surface on top to provide a stable base for your cake. You can find these at craft stores, thrift stores, or even try cutting a branch from your yard.

Next, you'll need to source a piece of leather for engraving. Look for a premium-quality leather plate that is suitable for laser engraving. You can find these at craft stores or online.

Step 2: Engraving the Leather

Decide on the design you want to engrave onto the leather plaque. It could be a simple design, your initials, the wedding date, or even a likeness of the two of you. If you don't have access to a laser engraver, you can contact local engraving services or businesses that offer custom laser engraving on leather.

Step 3: Attaching the Leather to the Log

To attach the leather plaque to the log, you'll need a suitable adhesive. You can use a white or yellow wood glue, which bonds most raw leather to wood. Alternatively, you can use wallpaper paste, rubber cement, or a veneer press with cold press glue.

Before gluing, test the bond by gluing a leather scrap to a wood scrap and giving it a light tug. Some leather treatments or colourings can reduce the glue's bonding ability, so it's important to test first. Use a clear-drying white glue if there's any risk of colour transfer with yellow glue.

Apply the glue to the back of the leather plaque and press it firmly onto the log. Use clamps or weights to hold the plaque in place while the glue dries.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

Once the glue is dry, you can add any final touches to your cake stand. You might want to paint or decorate the log to match your wedding theme. You could also add some LED lights or flowers around the base to create a romantic ambiance.

And there you have it! A unique, personalised wedding cake stand that will be a beautiful feature at your wedding and a cherished keepsake for years to come.

Using a plate, candlestick and industrial-sized glue

Making your own wedding cake stand is a fun and easy DIY project. All you need is a plate, a candlestick and some industrial-sized glue.

First, you will need to find a sturdy plate that is large enough to hold your cake. The size of the plate will depend on the size of your cake. If you are making a multi-tiered cake, you will need a larger plate to support the weight. You can find plates at thrift stores, flea markets or even in your own home.

Next, you will need to find a candlestick to use as the base of your cake stand. Again, you can find these at thrift stores or flea markets, or you may even have one at home that you can use. The candlestick should be solid and sturdy enough to hold the weight of your cake.

Once you have your plate and candlestick, you will need to glue them together. Turn the plate upside down on a flat surface and find the centre. Add a strong industrial-strength adhesive, such as E6000 or Liquid Nails Construction Adhesive, to the top of the candlestick at the point of contact with the plate. Put the glued area of the candlestick in the centre of the back of the plate and press down until it is well set. Let the glue dry and cure according to the instructions on the label.

And that's it! You now have your very own wedding cake stand. You can decorate it further if you like, perhaps by adding some flowers or other embellishments. This DIY project is a great way to create a unique and personalised cake stand for your special day, without spending a fortune.

Using a glass bowl and a plate

Materials:

• Glass bowl (large enough to fit the desired cake size)
• Plate (preferably with a lip to prevent items from falling)
• Strong adhesive, such as industrial-sized glue or glass glue
• Protective gear (e.g., gloves)
• Parchment paper

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Your Work Area:

Cover your work surface with parchment paper to protect it from any glue stains. Gather all your materials and ensure they are within reach. Put on protective gloves to keep your hands clean.

Step 2: Assemble the Cake Stand:

Apply a generous amount of strong adhesive to the centre of the plate. Quickly and carefully place the glass bowl upside down on the glued area, ensuring it is centred and secure. Hold it in place for at least 30 seconds to a minute.

Step 3: Let it Dry:

Leave the assembled cake stand undisturbed for at least an hour to allow the glue to set completely.

Step 4: Decorate (Optional):

If desired, you can decorate the stand further. For example, you could wrap ribbon or twine around the plate and bowl, securing it with glue. Alternatively, you could paint the stand or add embellishments like flowers or crystals.

Your DIY wedding cake stand is now ready to use and will undoubtedly add a unique touch to your special day!

Tips:

• Ensure the plate and bowl you choose are stable and sturdy enough to support the weight of the cake.
• If you want a taller stand, consider using a larger glass bowl or a smaller plate as the base.
• Feel free to get creative with your choice of plate and bowl; mix and match colours, patterns, or styles to create a stand that reflects your personality and wedding theme.
• If you're feeling adventurous, you could even paint the glassware or add decorations to make it truly unique.

Using a wire stand

If you're looking for a unique and affordable way to display your wedding cake, why not try making your own wire cake stand? It's easier than you think! Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a beautiful and functional wire cake stand that will impress your guests.

To make a wire cake stand, you'll need the following materials: galvanized fence wire, pine dowel, long-nose pliers, cutting pliers, washers, a drill, and epoxy glue. You'll also want to get some spray paint in your chosen colour to add a stylish finish to your stand.

Start by cutting 13 lengths of wire, each 500mm long. Straighten each piece as much as possible, and then fold over the ends. You'll hold this end in the pliers to twist the wire, gently bending it with your other hand. This will create the curled shapes that give the stand its unique look. Practice this step a few times to get the hang of it, and remember to keep the wire at an even height. Once you have one perfect piece, use it as a template for the rest.

For a two-tiered stand, cut 4 short lengths (100mm) for the upper tier and 8 long lengths (140mm) for the bottom tier, plus an extra piece for the top. You'll also need 4 lengths of wire (140mm) for the feet. Cut slots in one end of the dowel to mount the feet supports. You can do this quickly and easily with a Dremel MultiTool and a cutting disk, or secure the wire for the feet to the outside of the dowel. Drill a 2mm hole where the slots for the wire end meet, and insert a piece of wire to wrap around and secure the feet.

Now it's time to assemble the tiers. Use steel washers and epoxy glue to attach the sections to the dowel. Start with the bottom tier, ensuring each section is evenly spaced. Before the glue hardens, place another glued double-washer on top and weigh it down with a heavy object, like a brick, until the epoxy sets. Repeat this process for the upper tier.

To secure the tiers to the dowel, wrap masking tape around the dowel to mark the height of each tier. Check that the washers are level, then apply epoxy glue to secure them in place. Once the glue has dried, remove the masking tape, turn the stand upside down, and apply more glue underneath.

Finish your wire cake stand by adding a decorative top swirl. Drill a hole in the top, place the swirl inside, and secure it with a small amount of epoxy glue.

Your wire cake stand is now ready for a coat of paint! Choose a colour that complements your wedding theme, and spray paint your stand for a professional finish.

With these simple steps, you can create a stunning and affordable wire cake stand for your wedding. It's a fun project that will add a personal touch to your special day.

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