Creating Elegant Pearl-Adorned Wedding Cakes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Piping pearls onto a wedding cake is a simple yet elegant way to decorate a wedding cake. It is one of the simplest piping techniques, even for beginners. This article will explain how to pipe pearls onto a wedding cake, including how to pipe the most classical of wedding cake designs: a beaded garland. It will also cover how to attach pearls to buttercream or fondant, and how to pipe drop strings.

How to pipe pearls in a draped style

Piping pearls on a wedding cake is a simple technique that can be achieved even by beginners. To pipe pearls in a draped style, begin by marking out the distance between each swag or scallop, as well as the drop length. Then, start piping by placing the top and bottom pearl for each swag. After that, pipe the rest of the pearls in a semi-circular shape to achieve a draped effect. If the pearls have peaked tips, gently pat them down with a damp paintbrush before moving on to the next swag. Coloured icing, especially in cream or pastel shades, provides a great backdrop for pearl piping.

If you are concerned about attaching pearls to buttercream, consider using fondant instead. You can use pre-made fondant or make your own, but be aware that fondant can be challenging to work with and may result in bubbles and tearing. To attach the pearls, you can use piping gel or other edible adhesives specifically designed for cake decorating.

When piping pearls, it is important to work carefully and patiently. Practice on a separate surface before attempting to pipe directly on the cake. This will help you get a feel for the technique and ensure a more consistent and elegant result.

Additionally, consider the overall design of the cake and how the piped pearls will complement it. Piped beaded garlands incorporating blossoms or other decorative elements can add a unique touch to your wedding cake. Remember to allow adequate drying time for the piped pearls before handling or transporting the cake.

How to pipe pearls in a semi-circular shape

Piping pearls on a wedding cake is a simple technique that can be achieved by even the most beginner of cake decorators. To pipe pearls in a semi-circular shape, start by marking out the distance between each swag or scallop, as well as the drop length. Then, pipe the top and bottom pearls for each swag, before piping the rest of the pearls that make up the swag in a semi-circular shape. If the pearls have peaked tips, pat them down gently with a damp paintbrush before moving on to the next swag.

Piping drop strings can seem like a daunting task for beginners, but with a little practice, it can be achieved. Coloured icing, whether in cream or pastel shades, provides a great backdrop against which pearl piping will stand out.

If you are concerned about attaching the pearls to buttercream or fondant, consider using pre-made fondant and piping gel to stick the pearls to the cake.

How to attach pearls to buttercream or fondant

Piping pearls onto a wedding cake is a simple and elegant way to decorate. To pipe pearls onto buttercream or fondant, you should begin by marking out the distance between each swag or scallop, as well as the drop length. Then, start piping by beginning with the top and bottom pearl for each swag, before piping the rest of the pearls in a semi-circular shape. If the pearls have peaked tips, pat them down gently with a damp paintbrush before moving on to the next swag.

If you are using buttercream, be aware that if the icing is too thick, the pearls may sink in and bubble up around them. If you are using fondant, you may want to order pre-made fondant to ensure it tastes good. You can use piping gel to stick the pearls to the cake.

How to pipe pearls on a vintage-style cake

Piping pearls onto a vintage-style cake is a simple and elegant way to decorate a wedding cake. It is one of the simplest piping techniques, even for beginners.

To pipe pearls onto a vintage-style cake, start by marking out the distance between each swag or scallop, as well as the drop length. Then, pipe the top and bottom pearls for each swag, before piping the rest of the pearls in a semi-circular shape. If the pearls have peaked tips, pat them down gently with a damp paintbrush before moving on to the next swag.

For a vintage-style cake, you could pipe the pearls in a draped style, as demonstrated by Rosalind Miller Cakes. Alternatively, you could incorporate little blossoms for added decorative effect, as demonstrated by Divine Cakes By Luisa Galuppo.

If you are concerned about attaching the pearls to the cake, you could use fondant or buttercream icing. If using fondant, you may want to order pre-made fondant to ensure it tastes good. You can use piping gel to stick the pearls to the cake.

How to pipe pearls on a cake with coloured icing

Piping pearls on a cake is a simple technique that can be achieved even by beginners. It is an elegant way to decorate a wedding cake.

To pipe pearls on a cake with coloured icing, you will first need to decide on the distance between each swag or scallop, as well as the drop length. Coloured icing, whether in cream or pastel shades, provides a great backdrop for pearl piping. You can then start piping the top and bottom pearls for each swag, before piping the rest of the pearls in a semi-circular shape. If the pearls have peaked tips, pat them down gently with a damp paintbrush before moving on to the next swag.

You can also incorporate blossoms for added decoration, or try piping drop strings for a more complex design.

Frequently asked questions