Guide To Adorning Wedding Cakes With Fresh Flowers

Fresh flowers are a beautiful addition to any wedding cake, but it's important to take certain precautions to ensure food safety and avoid damaging the cake. The first step is to choose flowers that are non-toxic and safe for contact with food. Examples include roses, carnations, lavender, and sunflowers. Before placing the flowers on the cake, wash them with cool, soapy water and gently dry them. Cut the stems to the desired length, then wrap them in floral tape to prevent flower secretions from leaking into the cake. You can also use boba or bubble tea straws to create a barrier between the flowers and the cake. Another option is to place a cake board on top of the cake and add flowers to it, so that the flowers never come into direct contact with the cake. It's best to add the flowers to the cake as close to the event as possible to ensure they look their best.

Choosing flowers: Opt for non-toxic, edible flowers like roses, carnations, and lavender

When choosing flowers to put on a wedding cake, it's important to opt for non-toxic varieties. While your guests likely won't be eating the flowers, you still need to ensure they are safe for consumption and won't transfer any toxins to the cake.

There are two types of flowers to choose from: edible flowers and non-toxic flowers. Edible flowers are those that are safe to eat and have been grown under the right conditions to make them food-safe. Non-toxic flowers, on the other hand, include flowers that are edible but haven't been grown in food-safe conditions, as well as flowers that shouldn't be eaten but are still safe for contact with food.

Some popular choices for wedding cakes include roses, carnations, and lavender. Roses embody romance, prosperity, and happiness and are a timeless and elegant choice. Carnations also symbolise love, honour, faith, and beauty, making them a perfect fit for a wedding celebration. Lavender adds a touch of elegance and a pleasant fragrance to the cake.

When selecting flowers, it's important to choose those that are organic and free from pesticides. You can source them from a local florist, a flower farm, or a farmer's market. It's also a good idea to pick up your flowers as close as possible to the event to ensure they look their best.

Remember, food safety is crucial, so always research the flowers you choose and, if in doubt, leave it out.

Using herbs: Thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves are safe and attractive options for greenery

When it comes to decorating a wedding cake with fresh flowers, herbs like thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves are a safe and attractive option. Not only are they safe to use, but they also add a unique and rustic charm to the cake. Here are some tips and ideas for incorporating these herbs into your wedding cake design:

Thyme: Thyme is a versatile herb with tiny leaves that can add a subtle, elegant touch to your wedding cake. It pairs well with other herbs and flowers, creating a cohesive look. Thyme also has a delightful fragrance that can enhance the overall sensory experience of your cake. Its small leaf size makes it ideal for cake decoration, as smaller leaves often look more proportionate and visually appealing on a cake.

Rosemary: Rosemary, especially when in flower, can add a pop of colour and a wonderful fragrance to your wedding cake. Its tiny pale blue flowers and green leaves create a unique and less conventional look. You can use rosemary sprigs to resemble pine trees, adding a whimsical touch to your cake design. Additionally, rosemary-infused buttercream is a delicious and unexpected flavour that can surprise and delight your guests.

Bay Leaves: Bay leaves have a simple yet elegant appearance that can complement a wedding cake, especially if you're going for a rustic or herbal theme. They pair well with other herbs like thyme, rosemary, and lavender, allowing you to create a cohesive and natural look. Bay leaves are also considered food-safe, so you don't have to worry about any toxicity issues.

When using these herbs on your wedding cake, it's important to follow food safety guidelines. Wash the herbs in cool, soapy water and gently dry them before use. You can also wrap the stems with floral tape to prevent any juices from seeping into the cake. Additionally, consider placing a cake board or cardboard cake round on top of the cake before adding the herbs to create a barrier between the cake and the herbs, making it easier to remove them when it's time to cut and serve the cake.

Insertion methods: Use toothpicks, floral tape, or straws to secure flowers without damaging the cake

To secure flowers on a wedding cake without damaging it, you can use toothpicks, floral tape, straws, or a combination of these.

Toothpicks can be inserted into the stems of flowers and then pushed into the cake. This method is especially useful for larger flowers and keeps them in place.

Floral tape is used to wrap the stems of flowers, creating a barrier to prevent any fluid or toxins from the stems seeping into the cake. It is important to stretch the tape to activate its stickiness. However, floral tape should not be the only barrier between the flower stems and the cake.

Bubble tea straws or regular drinking straws can be used to secure flowers onto a cake, especially if you want to insert them at a specific angle or on the sides of the cake. The straws act as a barrier between the stems and the cake, and they are almost invisible, especially if you use clear straws.

Combining these methods, you can first wrap the stems of the flowers with floral tape and then insert them into straws before placing them into the cake. This ensures that the flowers are securely attached and do not come into direct contact with the cake, preventing any potential damage to the cake's appearance or structure.

Timing: Add flowers to the cake as close to the event as possible to ensure they look their best

Adding fresh flowers to a wedding cake is a beautiful way to elevate its look and make it feel like a special occasion. However, it is important to add the flowers to the cake as close to the event as possible to ensure they look their best.

Fresh flowers are a delicate and perishable decoration, and their time is precious. Flowers need water to stay fresh, so they can quickly lose their luster if added to a cake more than a day before the event. The flowers will also need to be stored in a cool place with water if you pick them up in advance.

Ideally, you should add fresh flowers to your wedding cake on the morning of the event. This will ensure the flowers are as fresh as possible and reduce the risk of them wilting. It is also recommended to use flowers that are in season and, if possible, organic or untreated with pesticides.

By adding the flowers to your wedding cake at the last minute, you can be sure that they will look their best and make a stunning impression on your special day.

Alternatives: Consider silk flowers, wafer paper flowers, or sugar flowers for a longer-lasting option

If you're looking for a longer-lasting alternative to fresh flowers on your wedding cake, there are a few options to consider: silk flowers, wafer paper flowers, or sugar flowers. Each option has its own set of pros and cons, so let's take a closer look at each one.

Silk flowers are a great choice if you want something that looks realistic but won't wilt. They are usually more expensive than fresh flowers and may not match the wedding bouquets perfectly, but they are available all year round. High-quality silk flowers can be quite costly, especially if you're using them for all your wedding bouquets, but they are a good option if you want something that will last. Keep in mind that silk flowers don't have a floral scent, so they may not be the best option if you're looking to complement a flavoured cake with a subtle aroma.

Wafer paper flowers are a newer trend in the cake-decorating world. They are made from wafer paper, which is made of potato starch, oil, and water. They are edible but are not meant to be eaten, as they may contain inedible elements like wires. Wafer paper flowers are lightweight, less breakable, and can be stored for a long time after the wedding if kept correctly. They can be made to match the wedding decor and are a good option for showcasing the cake artist's skills. However, they may be more expensive than fresh or silk flowers, and the variety of designs may be limited depending on the cake artist's skillset.

Sugar flowers, also known as gumpaste flowers, are completely food-safe and can look stunning and very realistic if made well. They can be made to match any variety or colour of flower and are a good option for showcasing the cake artist's skills. However, they are the most expensive option and are fragile, easily cracked, or broken. Sugar flowers may not be suitable for semi-naked or buttercream cakes as they don't do well with moisture.

When choosing an alternative to fresh flowers for your wedding cake, consider your budget, the desired level of realism, and whether you want something that is food-safe or long-lasting. Each option has its own unique benefits and drawbacks, so choose the one that best fits your needs and preferences.

Frequently asked questions