Creating Customized Wedding Cake Toppers With Icing

A wedding cake topper is a stunning addition to any wedding cake. They can be made from icing or crafted by hand, and can be as simple or intricate as you like. If you're thinking of making a wedding cake topper out of icing, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide on the size of your topper – it should be slightly smaller than the diameter of your cake's top layer. You can create your own designs or use a template, and there are a variety of materials you can use, such as glitter cardstock or icing. With the right tools and a bit of creativity, you can make a beautiful and unique wedding cake topper that will be a show-stopping addition to your special day.

Using glitter cardstock as a base

Materials:

• Smart cutting machine (such as a Cricut or Silhouette machine)
• Glitter cardstock in your choice of colour (gold and rose gold are popular options)
• Wooden or bamboo skewers
• Multipurpose adhesive spray
• Hot glue gun or regular craft glue

Step 1: Design

Start by opening a design program or using a Cricut Design Space. Choose a thick font that is easy to read and can be overlapped or interlocked to create a sturdy structure. Type your desired text, such as the couple's names or a phrase like "Mr and Mrs". Adjust the line height so that the words are close together or overlapping.

Step 2: Cut

Once you're happy with your design, load the glitter cardstock into your cutting machine. Set the material to Poster Board, as glitter cardstock is thicker than regular cardstock. Cut your design, being careful around any intricate details or frills.

Step 3: Assemble

Carefully remove your cut design from the machine, making sure not to tear any delicate parts. To add strength and avoid a glitter mess, lay your design on a piece of parchment paper on top of newspaper or a drop cloth. Spray the topper with adhesive spray and let it dry completely.

If you want to add extra stability, especially for taller cakes, you can attach a poster board backing. Cut your design again on poster board and glue it to the back of the glitter cardstock.

Step 4: Attach Skewers

Trim two wooden or bamboo skewers to fit the height of your cake. Hot glue or regular glue them to the back of the topper, placing them as high up as possible without being visible.

Step 5: Final Touches

Finally, carefully insert your DIY glitter cake topper into the top of your wedding cake, and you're done! You can also add some fresh flowers or other decorations around the base of the topper on the cake for an extra special touch.

Adding poster board backing for support

Adding poster board backing to your cake topper will ensure that your design is firmer and longer-lasting. Here is a step-by-step guide to adding poster board backing for support:

Step 1: Prepare the Required Materials

Gather the following materials: a Cricut machine, Cricut weeding tool and spatula, poster board, ModPodge or SuperGlue, and cake topper design. You can create your own design or download free printable versions online.

Step 2: Load and Cut the Design

Load your chosen cake topper design into the Cricut Design Space. Set the design to be cut as "Moderately Complex" to ensure that delicate details are cut with precision. Size the image according to the width of your cake and centre it on the cutting mat.

Step 3: Select Material and Cut

Select "Glitter Cardstock" in the Cricut Design Space and cut out your cake topper design. Repeat the process for the poster board to create a backing support.

Step 4: Glue the Topper to Skewers

Use ModPodge or SuperGlue to attach your cake topper to bamboo skewers. You can also reinforce the glitter cardstock by gluing it to the poster board before attaching it to the skewers.

Step 5: Final Assembly

Once your cake topper is securely attached to the skewers, you can place it on your cake. Ensure that the topper is centred and inserted securely into the cake.

By following these steps, you will have a well-supported and durable cake topper for your wedding cake.

Using Cricut machine to cut out designs

Using a Cricut machine, you can create a wide variety of cake toppers for weddings and other occasions. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a Cricut machine to cut out designs for a wedding cake topper:

Step 1: Choose or Create Your Design

Start by selecting a design from the Cricut Design Space or creating your own. If you're designing your own wedding cake topper, consider using script and sans serif fonts to create a chic and modern look. You can also add a stroke to the lettering or underscore slender fonts with a thick line to ensure the topper holds its rigid shape. Additionally, you can include wedding-themed images such as rings, doves, or flowers.

Step 2: Load Your Materials

Once you have your design ready, it's time to load your materials into the Cricut machine. For a wedding cake topper, you might want to use glitter cardstock to add a touch of sparkle and elegance. You can also use regular cardstock or paper for a more subtle look. If you want your topper to be freestanding, consider using poster board for backing support, as it provides a firmer and longer-lasting design.

Step 3: Set Up Your Cricut Machine

Load your chosen images into the Cricut Design Space and set the cut setting to "Moderately Complex." This will ensure that delicate designs are cut with precision. Size the image to fit the width of your wedding cake and centre it on the cutting mat. Then, select your material, such as glitter cardstock, in the Cricut Design Space.

Step 4: Cut Your Design

Now it's time to cut your design! After cutting, carefully peel the mat away from the material to prevent curling. Use a Cricut weeding tool to remove any excess material from your design. If you're using poster board for backing support, cut the image again on the poster board.

Step 5: Assemble Your Cake Topper

Finally, it's time to assemble your wedding cake topper! Use Mod Podge or Super Glue to attach your design to bamboo skewers or cake dowels. If you're using glitter cardstock and poster board, glue them together for added durability. Position the skewers or dowels evenly at the desired height, and you're done!

With a Cricut machine, you can create elegant and personalised wedding cake toppers that will impress your guests and make your special day even more memorable.

Using flowers as a topper

Using flowers as a cake topper is a great way to add a natural, elegant touch to your wedding cake. You can use real flowers or make them out of icing or fondant. If you want to use real flowers, choose blooms that complement your wedding theme and colour scheme. Single-stem flowers and baby's breath work well together to create a beautiful, romantic cake topper.

Step 1:

Chop the stems of your chosen flowers so they are not too long. Cut the baby's breath into smaller pieces so it is easy to work with and can be added to your bouquet.

Step 2:

Select a few open and full flowers, and arrange them in a small circle. Secure the flowers together using tape, starting at the base of the flower and working down the stem. This will create a sturdy base for your cake topper.

Step 3:

Add a few pieces of baby's breath to the bouquet, taping them together with the other flowers. Keep adding baby's breath until you are happy with the look, then secure all the flowers together with tape, starting at the base.

Step 4:

Take a long strip of tape and cover the entire stem. This will help to keep the flowers in place and make it easier to insert into the cake.

Step 5:

Carefully cut off any excess stem, leaving just enough to insert into the cake.

Step 6:

Place the flower topper on top of your cake, and you're done!

This DIY project is not only stunning but also inexpensive. It's a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding cake and impress your guests.

Using chocolate moulds as a topper

Using chocolate moulds as a cake topper is a fun and creative way to add a personalised touch to your wedding cake. Here's a step-by-step guide to making chocolate moulds for your special day:

Selecting the Right Tools and Chocolate:

Start by choosing the right moulds for your desired shape and size. You can opt for silicone or polycarbonate moulds, keeping in mind that silicone is more flexible and non-stick. Then, select the right melting vessel—a plastic bowl is recommended as it doesn't conduct heat, reducing the risk of overheating your chocolate. For the chocolate itself, you can choose between real chocolate and compound chocolate. Real chocolate contains cocoa butter and needs to be tempered before use, while compound chocolate uses palm kernel oil and doesn't require tempering.

Melting the Chocolate:

If you're using real chocolate, temper it to an optimal working temperature of 86ºF for dark chocolate, 86ºF for milk chocolate, or 84ºF for white chocolate. You can temper the chocolate in the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until about 90% of the chocolate has melted. Compound chocolate, on the other hand, can be melted directly without tempering.

Filling the Moulds:

Carefully fill the cavities of your mould with melted chocolate. You can use a spoon, but a squeeze bottle will give you more precision and less mess. Gently tap the mould to level the chocolate and release any trapped air bubbles.

Cooling and Unmoulding:

Place the filled mould in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the chocolates to set firmly and take on the shape of the mould. After chilling, gently flex the mould to pop out your chocolates. If using a silicone mould, the chocolates should come out easily with a glossy finish.

With these steps, you can create beautiful and delicious chocolate moulds to top your wedding cake. Get creative and add your own decorations or flavourings to make them truly unique!

Frequently asked questions