Creating Edible Wedding Cake Decorations: A Beginner's Guide

Wedding cakes are often the focal point of a wedding reception, so it's important to make them stand out. There are many ways to decorate a wedding cake, from fresh flowers to chocolate shards, and even gold foil details. If you're looking to add some extra flair to your wedding cake, here are some ideas to get you started. Fresh flowers are a classic choice, and you can use small to medium-sized blooms to create nice clusters. Alternatively, you can use chocolate to decorate your cake, whether it's by creating chocolate shards or drizzling tempered chocolate on top. If you're looking for something a little more unique, consider using gold foil details or fresh fruit like berries, peaches, plums, or apricots. For a simple and elegant look, try a white or naked cake decorated with moss and leaves. And don't forget, your cake topper can also add a special touch to your wedding cake.

Fresh flowers

There are a few important things to consider when using fresh flowers to decorate a wedding cake. Firstly, not all flowers are safe to use. While many flowers are edible, others are toxic and should be avoided. It is important to choose flowers that are safe for human consumption and have not been treated with harmful chemicals or pesticides.

To ensure the safety of your guests, it is recommended to use only edible flowers grown specifically for human consumption. Flowers bought from supermarkets, garden centres, or florists may have been sprayed with insecticides, herbicides, or fungicides that are not safe to eat. If using flowers from these sources, they must be thoroughly washed and dried before use, and marked as non-edible for guests.

When selecting flowers, it is also crucial to avoid those with high amounts of pollen, as this could ruin the aesthetic of the cake. Flowers such as aster, daisies, sunflowers, and amaranth should be avoided for this reason.

Another important consideration is how to attach the flowers to the cake. One popular method is to use straws to insert flower stems into the cake, preventing direct contact between the flowers and the cake. This also makes it easier to remove the flowers before serving. Alternatively, a frosting-covered board can be placed on top of the cake and adorned with flowers, which can be removed before cutting.

To extend the life of fresh flowers on a wedding cake, it is recommended to keep them in water until the last minute and store the cake in a refrigerator. In warm weather, bring the cake out just before cutting to prevent wilting.

Some popular flower choices for wedding cakes include roses, spray roses, garden roses, passion flowers, peonies, carnations, lavender, and sunflowers. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, and chamomile can also be used as greenery.

With careful selection and preparation, fresh flowers can be a stunning and safe way to decorate a wedding cake.

Chocolate shards

Ingredients and Equipment:

• Dark, milk, or white chocolate (non-baking chocolate works best)
• Baking parchment
• Paper clips
• Spatula
• Bain Marie (a metal or glass bowl sitting comfortably in a pan of water)

Method:

Start by melting the chocolate. You can do this in a microwave or using a Bain Marie. If using a Bain Marie, fill a pan with enough water so it does not touch the bottom of the bowl. Add 2/3 of the chocolate that has been cut into chunks, and bring the water in the pan to a light simmer. Stir often until the chocolate has melted.

Once melted, spread the chocolate thinly onto a large piece of parchment paper. The size will depend on how big you want the shards to be. Before the chocolate sets, roll up the paper and chocolate, making sure that no chocolate is touching. Secure the ends with large paper clips. Place the roll in the fridge to set for at least 30 minutes.

Once set, unroll the paper. The chocolate shards will start to break off as you unroll. You can now use the shards to decorate your cake.

Tips:

• To create a pretty marbled effect, use three different types of chocolate.
• To prevent the chocolate from melting while you work, keep it refrigerated and dip your hands in cold water.
• Any unused chocolate shards can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Cupcakes

Flavours

Display Ideas

When it comes to displaying your cupcakes, the sky's the limit. You can go for a traditional tiered tower, a rustic display using wooden crates and barrels, or even a lighted cupcake wall. If you want to include a cake-cutting ceremony, you can add a small cake on top of your cupcake display.

Decorations

Planning and Preparation

If you're making your own cupcakes, it's recommended to start planning 3-4 months in advance. Test your recipes, and bake and decorate your cupcakes a few days before the wedding. If you're ordering from a bakery, lock in your vendor at least 4 months before the big day.

Quantity

It's recommended to order 1.5 standard-sized cupcakes or 3 mini cupcakes per guest. If you're offering other dessert options as well, you can order less. Leftovers can be offered to your guests as party favours in cute to-go boxes.

Gold foil details

If you're looking for a more subtle touch of gold, consider adding small flakes of gold foil to your cake's surface. This can be done by purchasing edible gold leaf sheets and carefully placing them on the cake. You can also buy gold foil flakes, which are perfect for sprinkling over your cake for a hint of glamour.

For a bolder statement, why not try a gold drip effect? Melt some gold chocolate and carefully pour it over the edges of your cake to create a luxurious and decadent finish. This technique is sure to impress your guests and will be a stunning addition to your wedding photos.

If you want to incorporate gold foil into the structure of your cake, consider using gold foil sheets as a base for each layer. This will create a stunning contrast between the white cake and the golden base. You can also use gold foil to line your cake board, adding a touch of elegance to the overall presentation.

Gold foil can also be used to create intricate details, such as monograms or floral designs. A gold foil monogram can be a subtle yet elegant way to personalise your cake, while gold foil flowers and leaves can add a touch of rustic charm.

So, if you're looking to add a touch of glamour and elegance to your wedding cake, gold foil details are a perfect choice. With a range of options available, from subtle hints to bold statements, you can easily incorporate gold foil into your cake design to create a priceless, gilded creation.

Cake toppers

One popular idea for a cake topper is to use wire or wooden letters to spell out the couple's names or a meaningful word. You can purchase wooden letters from craft stores or online and paint them in your wedding colours or decorate them with glitter, beads, or rhinestones. Wire letters can be bent and twisted into shape and then decorated with beads, crystals, or flowers.

If you're looking for something more figurative, you can create cake toppers using modelling clay or sugar paste.

Frequently asked questions