Adding Beads To Your Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding cake beads are a type of lampwork bead that originated in Venice. They are also known as 'Fiorato Beads' and are a very specific subset of Murano glass beads. The beads are created using the lampwork technique – wrapping the molten glass around a wire. This creates the base layer, solid-coloured bead. The term ‘Wedding Cake Bead’ seems to date from the early 19th century, and is probably inspired by the highly decorative cakes that were becoming popular at weddings.

To put beads on a wedding cake, you can use pre-made pearls and stick them on with piping gel or royal icing/edible glue. You can also use a dragee applicator, which is quicker than hand application.

Using wire to create a base for the beads

The next step is to decorate this wire base using a long length of thinner wire, approximately 0.4mm in thickness, which you can wrap around the base and use to attach beads. Thread the beads onto the thinner wire, twisting the wire to create clusters of beads. You can also put little kinks in the wire or wrap it around the thicker base wire to hold the beads in place.

This method is a great way to add an elegant and impressive touch to your wedding cake, and it only takes a couple of hours to decorate a three-tiered cake.

Sticking beads to a cake with royal icing or edible glue

Sticking beads to a wedding cake using royal icing or edible glue is a great way to add intricate details and decorations. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you achieve stunning results:

Royal Icing:

Royal icing is a versatile option for attaching beads to a wedding cake. It serves as a binding and hardening agent, providing stability and a smooth finish. Here's a step-by-step process:

• Prepare the Royal Icing: Royal icing is made by mixing egg whites, powdered sugar, and a dash of lemon juice. You can adjust the consistency by adding more icing sugar for thicker icing or water for a thinner version.
• Use a Piping Bag: Fit a piping bag with a round nozzle, such as a number 1 piping tube. Fill the bag a quarter full with soft-consistency royal icing.
• Pipe the Beads: Squeeze the piping bag as you lift your hand, raising the nozzle slightly so that the icing fans out. Relax the pressure as you draw the nozzle down to bring the bead to a point. Stop squeezing and pull away.
• Create a Bead Border: To make a continuous bead border, start each bead slightly behind the end of the previous one so that they form an even chain.

Edible Glue:

Edible glue is a food-safe adhesive made from ingredients like tylose powder or gum arabic. It is ideal for securing small details like beads without the risk of them falling off. Here's how to use it effectively:

• Prepare the Edible Glue: You can purchase edible glue or make it at home. To make it yourself, mix tylose powder with water, stirring until it thickens. You can also create edible glue by dissolving white sugar in water over a stove, allowing it to cool, and pouring it into a storage bottle.
• Use a Small Brush: Apply the edible glue sparingly using a small food-safe brush. This ensures precise application without over-saturating the decorations.
• Allow Drying Time: After applying the edible glue, let it dry for a few minutes to ensure a strong bond, especially when working with heavy decorations.
• Experiment with Consistencies: Adjust the consistency of the edible glue based on the weight of your beads. For heavier beads, a thicker glue is best, while a thinner version is suitable for lightweight items.

Using a dragee applicator to stick beads to a cake

Using a dragee applicator is a quick way to stick beads to a cake. The DrageeKiss gadget is a British invention that works with any 4mm sugar pearls or dragees. Simply fill the applicator with the sugar pearls or dragees and pump them out directly onto the cake. This method is much faster than hand application, but it does take some time to learn. There are tutorials available on YouTube.

For those who prefer larger beads, there is also an Edible Bead Applicator for Large Beads. This applicator works with any hard 7-8mm dragees or pearls.

If you are using a dragee applicator, you may want to practice your technique on a small cake dummy before applying beads to the actual cake.

Using a beading wire to attach beads to wire base

To attach beads to a wire base using a beading wire, you can follow these steps:

First, cut a length of beading wire that is approximately 10cm long. You will be attaching the beads to this wire, so it is helpful to have a little extra length to hold onto while wrapping. Slip your chosen bead onto the wire, leaving about 2cm at one end, with the other end longer.

Now, pinch both ends of the wire together at the top of the bead and check that the bead is centred. Cut off the shorter end of the wire so that it is only 2-3mm above the bead. Form a loop with the longer side by bending it at a right angle and wrapping it around the tip of your round-nose pliers. Ensure that the loop sits above the end of the shorter wire and is centred on the bead.

Hold the loop flat between the tips of your snipe-nose pliers. Take the long length of wire and hold it taut, then start wrapping it around the stem of the wires, working from the base of the loop down towards the bead. Make sure that each wrap sits neatly and close to the last.

When you reach the top of the bead, trim the end of the wire neatly with side cutters. If there is a sharp end, gently bend it with the snipe-nose pliers so that it sits flat and is tucked away neatly.

You can now attach this beaded wire to your wire base. To do this, cut a length of wire that is double the circumference of your cake. Twist this wire around a pencil every couple of centimetres to create spirals and loops. Join the two ends together by making two loops that hook into one another, forming a circle that fits over the cake.

Finally, take a long length of thinner wire (approximately 1.5m) and wrap it onto the base. Thread your beaded wire onto this thinner wire and twist the wire together to create clusters of beads, or use kinks in the wire to hold the beads in place.

By following these steps, you can create a beautiful beaded wire decoration for your wedding cake.

Using beads to create a garland effect on the cake

Creating a beaded garland effect on a wedding cake is an elegant and simple way to decorate your cake. This technique can be achieved by using wire or icing to pipe beads onto the cake.

If you choose to use wire, you will need two different sizes of wire: a thicker wire to create the base, and a thinner wire to attach the beads. First, measure the base of the cake and cut a length of thicker wire double the circumference. Twist this wire around a pencil to create spirals and loops, and then join the ends together to create a circle that fits over the cake. Next, take a long length of thinner wire and wrap it onto the base, using it to attach your beads. Thread the beads onto the thinner wire, twisting the wire to create clusters of beads.

Alternatively, you can pipe beads onto the cake using royal icing. First, mark the points on the top edge of the cake where each swag will begin and end. Start with marks at 12 o'clock, 6 o'clock, 3 o'clock, and 9 o'clock, and then add additional marks in each quadrant about 2 inches apart. Next, mark how far down you want each swag to fall around the sides of the cake. Begin piping by starting with the top and bottom pearls for each swag, and then pipe the rest of the beads in a semi-circular shape. If the pearls have peaked tips, gently pat them down with a damp paintbrush before moving on.

Frequently asked questions