Creating A Faux Wedding Cake For Your Big Day

Creating a fake wedding cake is a fun and easy project that can be done by even the most inexperienced DIY-er. It's also a great way to save money on your big day, as the average wedding cake costs between $300 and $1500. All you need are some basic supplies like styrofoam discs, cardboard, or floral foam discs, and decorations such as fondant, spackling, joint compound, and fresh or silk flowers. You can even get creative and use non-traditional materials like fabric, metal, or wallpaper to make your cake truly unique. With a little imagination and a few simple steps, you can create a beautiful faux cake that will fool your guests and save you money!

Choosing your materials: styrofoam, cardboard, or floral foam discs

When making your own fake wedding cake, there are several options for the materials you can use. Here are some things to consider when choosing between styrofoam, cardboard, or floral foam discs:

Styrofoam

Styrofoam is a popular choice for creating fake cakes because it is lightweight and easy to work with. You can find pre-cut styrofoam cake forms online in various shapes and sizes, or you can cut the styrofoam yourself to create the desired shape and size for your cake. Using styrofoam also allows for easy transportation and assembly, making it a convenient option for weddings.

Cardboard

Cardboard is another option for creating a fake wedding cake. You can use cardboard to create a form for your cake by drawing your desired shape and cutting it out. To add flexibility and mould the cardboard into the desired shape, you can cut rectangle strips and bend each grain of the cardboard. Cardboard is a cost-effective option and can be easily sourced from old shipping boxes.

Floral Foam Discs

Floral foam discs are another alternative for the base of your fake wedding cake. They come in a variety of sizes, and you can stack them on top of each other using hot glue to create the desired height for your cake. Floral foam discs provide a stable base for decorating and can be easily found in craft stores.

When choosing between styrofoam, cardboard, or floral foam discs, consider factors such as cost, ease of assembly, and the overall look you want to achieve for your fake wedding cake. Each material has its advantages and can be decorated with materials like fondant, spackling, joint compound, or fresh or silk flowers to create a beautiful and elegant display.

Creating the base: glueing, shaping, and covering

Creating the base: gluing, shaping, and covering

To create the base of your fake wedding cake, you'll need to start by gluing the layers of your cake together. If you're using styrofoam rounds, you can use a hot glue gun or styrofoam glue to attach the layers. Make sure to centre each layer carefully before gluing, to ensure a straight and stable structure.

Once your layers are glued together, you'll want to shape the base by applying a layer of joint compound, spackling, or plaster to the styrofoam. This will give your cake a smooth, finished look and help to conceal any imperfections. Use an angled spatula or spackling knife to spread the mixture over the styrofoam, turning the cake as you work to get a smooth finish. If you want to add texture to your cake, you can use a variety of tools to create the desired effect, such as a spoon or a disposable pastry bag.

Let the base layer dry completely before moving on to the next step. Depending on the material you use, this could take anywhere from a few hours to a full day. You may need to apply a second coat of joint compound or spackling if there are any holes or imperfections.

After the base layer is dry, you can begin to cover it with your chosen material. If you're using fabric, cut a circle slightly larger than the top of the cake layer and glue it in place, folding down the excess fabric to create a clean edge. For other materials, such as ribbon, paper, or wallpaper, cut strips to fit around each layer and attach them with glue or double-sided tape.

If you want to add colour to your cake, you can paint the base layer before covering it, or mix paint with your joint compound or spackling for a coloured "frosting" effect.

Frosting: using spackling, joint compound, or plaster

Creating a faux cake is a fun and easy project that can be done by anyone, even those without prior cake decorating experience. The process is simple: create a base layer of frosting on a form, such as a styrofoam disc or cardboard box, and then add decorative elements like piping and sprinkles. This type of cake is perfect for those who want a long-lasting display cake that doesn't melt and can be made for a fraction of the cost of a real cake.

When creating the frosting for your fake wedding cake, you can use spackling, joint compound, or plaster. These materials can be found at most craft or hardware stores, and some recommend checking the Dollar Tree for inexpensive options. You will also need a mixing bowl, a disposable spatula, and a plastic knife. If you plan to add colour to your frosting, you will also need acrylic paint.

To create the frosting, start by transferring a good amount of your chosen material (spackling, joint compound, or plaster) into a mixing bowl. If you are using spackling or joint compound, add 3-4 tablespoons of acrylic paint in the colour of your choice and fold it into the mixture. Depending on the desired colour, you may need to add more paint or adjust the ratio of paint to spackling/joint compound.

Once you have achieved the desired colour, use a plastic knife to cover your cake form with globs of the mixture. Don't worry about getting a smooth finish—the texture created by the globs of frosting will actually make it look more like real frosting. Set the cake aside to dry for 24-48 hours in a warm area.

If you want to add decorative swirls to your cake, simply put some of the mixtures into a disposable pastry bag and pipe it onto the cake as you normally would. This will add even more texture and make it look even more realistic.

After your cake is dry, you can add additional decorations like flowers, ribbons, or other embellishments. Get creative and have fun with it!

Decorating: adding flowers, ribbons, and other embellishments

Now for the fun part: decorating your fake wedding cake! There are endless possibilities for embellishing your cake, from flowers and ribbons to rhinestones and wallpaper. Here are some detailed instructions and ideas to get you started:

Flowers

Fresh or silk flowers can be used to decorate your cake. If you opt for fresh flowers, ask the bride to reserve some blooms for you, and choose additional flowers that vary in scale and texture to add interest. You can also use gum paste flowers, which come in different colours and can be cut apart to create custom clusters. When adding flowers to your cake, simply remove the main stem and use the remaining nub to punch through the foam.

Ribbons

Ribbons are an easy and effective way to decorate your cake. Choose a ribbon that complements the colour and style of your cake. You can wrap it around the base of each layer, securing it with a small amount of hot glue at the back. If you're using a thicker ribbon, you may need to trace the circumference of the layer and add a little extra to create a clean edge. Fold this edge down and glue it in place, then wrap the ribbon around the layer, pulling it tight and gluing the other end at the back.

Other Embellishments

• Rhinestones: You can use rhinestone sheets, which are created with a soft plastic that has a faceted, metallic foil back and an adhesive side that sticks to your cake.
• Fabric: Covering a layer with fabric can trick the brain into thinking the remaining layers are cake. You can use a navy blue textured rose fabric or any other fabric that complements your wedding colours and theme.
• Metal trim: Metal trim is a great way to make a statement and give your cake a unique look.
• Wallpaper: Wallpaper comes in various patterns and textures and can be easily applied to your cake with double-sided tape or hot glue.
• Greenery: You can add greenery stems to your cake, either on their own or in combination with flowers. Cut them to the desired length and hot glue them into place.
• Cake toppers: There are many different types of cake toppers available, such as monogram letters, wedding couples, or custom script toppers.
• Pearls: You can paint your cake with a soft pink paint mixed with pearl to give it a subtle shine.
• Paper: Cut out modern designs from pearl cardstock and glue them around the edges of your cake layers.

Remember, this is your special day, so feel free to get creative and make the cake your own!

Assembly: stacking tiers and gluing cakes together

To assemble your fake wedding cake, you will need to stack the tiers and glue the cakes together. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Place a couple of swipes of store-bought frosting on the cake drum or board to act as glue for the base layer.
• Put the largest styrofoam layer on the board and press firmly to "glue" it to the board.
• Add strips of parchment paper underneath the base cake to keep the board clean.
• Frost the base layer using store-bought frosting, including the top of the cake. Smooth it out and add texture as desired.
• Carefully remove the parchment scraps.
• Frost all additional styrofoam layers individually.
• Assemble and frost the edible top layer with homemade frosting. Spend extra time on this layer to ensure it is ultra-symmetrical, levelling off the cake layers if needed.
• Using sturdy spatulas (and an extra person if possible), slowly centre and layer the cakes.
• Clean up any mishaps and carefully seal the seams of the cakes together by running a tiny spoon or piping beads between the layers.

Your fake wedding cake is now assembled and ready for decoration!

Frequently asked questions