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

Sugarpaste wedding cake toppers are a popular choice for couples, especially those opting for novelty or funky designs. Sugar modelling experts and artists have crafted tutorials to help you create your own topper, whether it's a classic bride and groom or a more alternative design. You can also buy pre-made sugar flowers and other decorations to adorn your cake.

Using sugar modelling experts' tutorials

Sugar modelling experts have put together tutorials with pictures and videos to help you create stunning bride and groom wedding cake toppers. These tutorials are a great way to learn how to make sugarpaste wedding cake toppers and develop your own style.

Sugar modelling expert Verusca Walker has a popular picture tutorial that covers all the elements needed to create a stunning bride and groom topper. Another expert, Carlos Lischetti, has a vintage-style bride and groom topper tutorial in his book, "Animation in Sugar: Take 1".

There are also online classes available, such as the one offered by Sugar High's Brenda Walton, which teaches students how to make custom cake toppers step-by-step. Paul Bradford of the Paul Bradford Sugarcraft School offers a free trial for his online tutorial, which covers a range of important skills, including creating edible clothing, shaping body parts with sugarpaste, and adding details to faces.

If you're looking for a more alternative style, there are tutorials for "peg-style" cake toppers that use wooden pegs as the base. These can be hand-painted or decorated with other materials.

YouTube is also a great resource, with many videos demonstrating the process of making wedding cake toppers, such as the one by Yener's Way.

Sculpting vintage-style toppers

To sculpt vintage-style sugarpaste wedding cake toppers, you can draw inspiration from the works of world-leading sugar artists such as Carlos Lischetti, whose vintage-style bride and groom topper is featured in his book, "Animation in Sugar: Take 1".

When crafting vintage-style toppers, you can incorporate various design elements and decorations to evoke a sense of nostalgia and timeless elegance. Here are some ideas to consider:

• Classic Bride and Groom Figures: Create a vintage-style bride and groom using sugarpaste, paying attention to the intricate details of their attire. For the bride, you can sculpt a classic gown with a full skirt, a lace veil, and elegant hairstyle. The groom can be designed with a dapper suit, perhaps with a bow tie or a hat to add a touch of vintage charm.
• Vintage Accessories: Enhance the vintage theme by including accessories such as a top hat, a parasol, or a vintage bouquet. For example, a birdcage-style veil or a string of pearls can be a lovely addition to a vintage bride topper.
• Retro Colour Schemes: Opt for colour palettes that were popular in the era you are drawing inspiration from. For instance, soft pastels, muted tones, or even bold, vibrant colours, depending on the specific vintage style you are aiming for.
• Delicate Flowers: Floral details can add a romantic and vintage touch to your cake toppers. Consider using sugarpaste to create delicate blooms like roses, peonies, or baby's breath. These can be added to the bride's hairstyle, bouquet, or even as a garland around the couple.
• Vintage Props: Incorporate miniature props such as a vintage car, a typewriter, or a stack of old suitcases to complement your topper designs. These props can help tell a story and create a whimsical vintage scene.
• Elegant Fonts: If you are including any lettering or signage, choose elegant and classic fonts that evoke a sense of nostalgia. For example, a sophisticated script font can be used for the couple's names or a meaningful phrase.

Remember, when sculpting vintage-style toppers, attention to detail is key. From the clothing textures to the facial expressions, each element contributes to the overall vintage aesthetic. Take your time, and don't be afraid to experiment and develop your unique style.

Using moulds to create faces

Creating faces for your sugarpaste wedding cake toppers can be a challenging task. A good way to ensure that your models have well-defined and detailed faces is to use moulds.

Firstly, it is important to choose the right paste for your moulds. Sugar paste (rolled fondant) tends to be too soft and may stick to the mould. Instead, opt for a firmer paste such as modelling paste or Mexican paste. Before placing the paste in the mould, make sure to knead it until it is soft, smooth, and pliable. This will make it easier to work with and ensure that it releases from the mould cleanly.

When preparing the paste, dust it with cornflour, not the mould. Take a smooth, round ball of your kneaded paste, dust it with cornflour, and then push it firmly into the mould. This will help you achieve all the fine details and ensure that your topper has a well-defined face. Be sure to avoid using a knife anywhere near your mould, as this can cause tears and ruin it. If you have excess paste, simply remove it from the mould, pinch off the extra, re-roll it, dust it with cornflour, and try again.

Once you are happy with the paste in the mould, it's time to turn it out and release your moulded face. A useful tip is to dry your moulded items on a sheet of soft foam. This allows the air to circulate, preventing the shape from distorting as it dries, and it will also dry more quickly.

If you are struggling to create nice faces for your models, there are face moulds available to buy that can help you achieve the perfect look. For example, Karen Davies, the author of "A Cake for a Wedding", offers face moulds for sale on her website and at sugarcraft stores.

Creating a topper with a cartoon style

Sugarpaste wedding cake toppers in a cartoon style are a fun and unique way to decorate your cake. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating your own:

Plan your design

Start by deciding on the overall design of your topper. Do you want to create a bride and groom, or perhaps a more whimsical scene? Consider the couple's interests and personalities to incorporate meaningful details.

Gather your materials

You will need sugarpaste in various colours, modelling tools, and a work surface. It is recommended to use a non-stick silicone mat or light dusting of icing sugar to prevent sticking. You may also want to use wire or toothpicks for internal support, especially if your topper has multiple figures or elements.

Create the base

Roll out a small amount of sugarpaste to a thickness of about 5mm. Cut out a circle or oval shape that will serve as the base for your topper. This should be large enough to accommodate your figures and provide stability.

Modelling the figures

To achieve a cartoon style, you will want to exaggerate certain features and expressions. Start by creating a basic body shape and then add the arms, legs, and head. Use different colours of sugarpaste to create clothing, hair, and facial features. You can use modelling tools to add texture and details such as buttons, ruffles, or facial expressions.

Assembling the topper

Once your figures are complete, attach them to the base using a small amount of sugarpaste or edible glue. If you are using wire for support, insert it into the base and then carefully position your figures. Allow the topper to dry completely before handling or placing it on the cake.

Adding final touches

You can further customize your topper with additional details such as flowers, hearts, or other decorations. You can also use edible paint to add colour or write names and dates. Remember to keep your design light and playful to match the cartoon style.

Creating a sugarpaste wedding cake topper in a cartoon style is a fun and creative way to add a unique touch to your celebration. With some planning and attention to detail, you can make a topper that is both memorable and delicious!

Using sugar flowers and leaves

Sugar flowers and leaves are a great way to elevate your wedding cake to the next level. They can be used to create a simple or a more elaborate topper, depending on your preference.

When creating sugar flowers, you can use gum paste or sugar paste to form the petals and leaves. You will also need some tools such as flower cutters, veining mats, and ball tools to shape and add details to the petals. For a more natural look, you can use dusting colours to shade and add depth to your flowers.

To make the flowers, start by rolling out your gum paste or sugar paste thinly. Cut out the petals using flower cutters or veiners in various sizes, depending on the type of flower you are creating. Use a ball tool to thin the edges of the petals and give them a more realistic shape. You can also use the ball tool to add veining details to the petals.

Once you have cut out all your petals, let them dry slightly so that they become firmer and easier to handle. Use a small brush to apply dusting colours to the petals, creating shading and depth. You can also add details such as stamens or pistils using edible glue and dusting colours.

For leaves, you can cut them out of green gum paste or sugar paste using leaf cutters or veiners. Add veining details with a ball tool and shade them with dusting colours for a more realistic look.

Once your flowers and leaves are complete, you can assemble them using floral wire and tape. Cut a piece of floral wire to the desired length and tape it to the back of each flower or leaf using floral tape. This will create a stem that you can use to secure the flowers to your cake.

You can find ready-made sugar flowers and leaves in a variety of colours and styles from online stores or specialty cake decorating suppliers. This can save you time and ensure that your cake decorations are of professional quality.

Frequently asked questions