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

Wedding cake banners are a great way to add a personalised touch to your big day. They can be made easily at home with just a few tools and supplies. You can make a simple banner with coloured card, string or twine, and skewers. Cut out triangle shapes from the card, then colour or decorate them as you like—you could try embossing or adding glitter. Once you're happy with how they look, glue or sew them onto the string, leaving enough at either end to tie them to the skewers. Finally, place the skewers on your cake and you're done!

Choosing the right paper

Type of Paper

The type of paper you choose will impact the overall appearance and durability of your banner. Cardstock, for example, is a popular choice due to its thickness and variety of colours. It provides a sturdy base for lettering or stamping and can be easily cut into desired shapes. If you want a more elegant or luxurious look, consider specialty papers such as vellum or cotton paper. Vellum has a frosted, translucent appearance, while cotton paper has a soft texture and can create a deep, impressive texture when used with letterpress or foil stamping.

Colour

The colour of your paper sets the tone and mood for your banner. While traditional white paper is classic and elegant, coloured cardstock or specialty papers can add a unique touch. Consider the overall theme and colour scheme of your wedding when making your selection. Soft, neutral colours like pale pink, yellow, or light blue can create a romantic, whimsical feel, while darker shades like navy or burgundy can be elegant and dramatic. If you're feeling creative, you could even opt for a colourful combination, such as pink, orange, and yellow, which is perfect for a summer wedding.

Weight and Thickness

The weight and thickness of the paper are important considerations, especially if you plan to attach your banner to skewers or dowels. Heavier, thicker papers will be more durable and less likely to bend or tear. Thicker papers also tend to be more luxurious and can add a sense of quality to your banner. However, keep in mind that thicker papers may be more challenging to cut or fold, so choose a weight that aligns with your desired level of sturdiness and the complexity of your design.

Finish

The finish of the paper refers to its surface texture and can range from matte to glossy or even metallic. A matte finish is a popular choice for wedding banners as it provides a subtle, elegant look. However, if you want your banner to stand out, consider a glossy or metallic finish, which can add a touch of shine and sophistication. Keep in mind that the finish can also impact the way your banner reflects light, so choose a finish that complements your wedding's lighting and overall aesthetic.

Samples

Before finalising your paper choice, it's a good idea to order samples or visit a craft store to see and feel the different options in person. This will allow you to compare colours, weights, and finishes, ensuring that you make the best selection for your wedding cake banner.

Cutting out the flags

Firstly, select your desired flag shape, such as triangles, rectangles, or any other creative shape you envision. A triangle is a classic choice for a festive and celebratory look. Using a pair of sharp scissors, carefully cut out your chosen shape from the cardstock or paper of your choice. If you're aiming for a more polished look, consider using a paper punch specifically designed for crafting. This will give your flags clean and precise edges.

Now, let's add some colour! Use bright and vibrant markers, paint, or any colouring medium of your choice to saturate the flags with colour. You can opt for a rainbow theme or choose colours that align with the wedding's colour palette. Don't hold back—fully saturate the paper for a bold and cheerful look. If you're feeling extra creative, you can also add patterns or designs to your flags.

Once your flags are dry, it's time to add the lettering. You can use rubber stamps, stencils, or freehand the writing. If you're confident in your handwriting, go ahead and use a permanent marker or a fine-tipped Sharpie for more control. Write out the letters carefully, ensuring they are centred and legible. You can even take it a step further and emboss the letters for a raised, textured effect.

After your flags are beautifully lettered, it's time to cut them out. Carefully cut along the edges, ensuring you remove all the guidelines so they don't show on your final product. Now, grab a thumbtack or a thick needle, and puncture two holes in each triangle corner. Wiggle the tack around slightly to create a larger hole, making it easier to thread your string through.

Your flags are almost ready! The final step is to attach your flags to a string or twine. You can use white thread, baker's twine, or even dental floss! Carefully thread the string through the holes in your flags, being cautious not to bend or crease the flags. Leave enough thread on each end to tie the flags securely to the supports.

And there you have it! Your wedding cake banner flags are now cut out and ready to be assembled into a beautiful display. Remember to choose food-safe supports, such as cookie sticks or bamboo skewers, to complete your charming wedding cake banner.

Adding letters

There are several ways to add letters to your wedding cake banner. If you have nice handwriting, you can simply write the letters yourself. If you don't, you can use rubber stamps, stencils, or print out a template with the letters already on them.

If you want to get creative, you can use a combination of rubber stamps and embossing. Press the stamp onto an embossing ink pad, then stamp the letter onto the flag. While the ink is still wet, apply embossing powder and let it sit for a bit before pouring off the excess. Use an embossing heat tool to set the powder.

Another option is to use a permanent marker, such as a Sharpie, to write the letters on the flags. If you want more control over the lettering, choose a fine-tipped Sharpie.

Once you've added the letters, cut out the flags, making sure to cut off all the guidelines so they don't show. Then, use a thumbtack to make a hole in each corner of the flags. These holes will be used to string the flags together.

If you want to add some sparkle to your banner, you can use glitter alphabets or embossing powder to make the letters stand out.

Stringing the flags together

Now that you've got your flags ready, it's time to string them together!

For this step, you'll need a thick tack, a needle, and some thread or twine. You can use any colour of thread you like—get creative! White thread, baker's twine, or even dental floss are all great options. If you're using a needle, cut a piece of thread that's at least 20 inches long. If you're not using a needle, you can trim the twine to size later, so don't worry about cutting it too long.

Use the tack to puncture two holes in each triangle corner. Wiggle the tack around a bit to make the holes slightly larger—this will make it easier to pull the string through. If you're using a needle, thread it through the holes. If you're not, moisten and twist the end of the twine, then carefully push it through the holes. Be careful not to bend the flags as you thread them.

Once all your flags are on the twine, carefully tie each end to a bamboo skewer, lollipop stick, or cookie stick. These will be used to secure the banner to your cake. Leave a bit of slack in the twine so that the banner hangs loosely. If you like, you can paint the skewers beforehand or leave them in their natural bamboo colour.

And that's it! You've now got a beautiful, handmade banner to top off your wedding cake.

Attaching the banner to supports

Now that you've crafted your banner, it's time to attach it to supports so it can proudly sit atop your wedding cake. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do just that:

Step 1: Choosing the Right Supports

For supports, you can opt for food-safe options like cookie sticks, lollipop sticks, or wooden skewers. Bamboo skewers are a great choice and can be painted or left in their natural colour. If you want something sturdier, BBQ skewers will do the trick. Just ensure they're long enough to securely hold your banner without touching the cake itself.

Step 2: Tying the Banner

Take your banner and carefully tie each end to the supports of your choice. If you're using thread or twine, leave a bit of slack so that the banner hangs loosely and gracefully. A tight tie might cause the banner to bow or curve, so be mindful of that.

Step 3: Placing the Banner on the Cake

Gently insert the ends of your supports into the cake, ensuring they're firmly in place. You don't want them to be so deep that they're touching the cake board, but deep enough that they can support the weight of the banner without toppling over. If your cake is particularly soft or fresh, it might be a good idea to wait until the last minute to insert the banner to avoid any unsightly indentations.

Step 4: Final Adjustments and Embellishments

Once your banner is in place, take a step back and admire your handiwork. Ensure that the banner is straight and centred. If you wish, you can add some final embellishments to the supports, like tiny bows or ribbons. Just be sure to use a strong adhesive so they don't slide down the supports.

And there you have it! Your wedding cake banner is now complete and ready to wow your guests. This simple DIY addition will surely elevate your wedding cake and make it even more memorable.

Happy crafting, and congratulations on your special day!

Frequently asked questions