Gumpaste Flowers: Adorning Wedding Cakes With Delicate Blooms

Gumpaste flowers are a beautiful addition to any wedding cake, but arranging them can be a daunting task. Gumpaste dries faster and harder than fondant, making it ideal for creating intricate flowers such as roses and daisies. However, this also means that arranging them on a cake requires careful planning and execution. Here are some tips to help you arrange gumpaste flowers on a wedding cake:

- Source inspiration for your flower arrangement. Look for unique elements or flowers protruding in an unusual way. This will help you determine the number, type, size, and colour of flowers needed.

- Group your flowers into micro arrangements. Tape the stems of smaller flowers, buds, and foliage into varied groups, leaving some stems loose for final touches.

- Make a mock-up of your flower arrangement in advance. Use styrofoam or a dummy tier to loosely place your flower groups and get a sense of how they fit together.

- Place your flowers securely on the cake. Use appropriately sized posy picks to prevent wire contact with the cake. You can add a tiny piece of fondant paste to the posy pick to anchor the flower stem. Start from the centre, placing smaller pieces first, and work outwards.

- Allow yourself to be creative. Don't be afraid to bend stems and leaves to add movement and create a natural feel. Remember, real flowers are not perfect, so don't worry about small breakages.

- Prepare your flower arrangement for transportation. Use bubble wrap or kitchen roll between flowers to prevent breakage during transport. If needed, remove precarious flowers and add them on-site.

- Seek inspiration online. Look for pictures of flower arrangements on cakes to understand the placement of large, medium, and small flowers, as well as stem lengths and grouping.

- Practice arranging flowers. Use a polystyrene dummy to test out different arrangements and gain confidence before working on the actual cake.

- Never insert exposed wires directly into a cake. Use methods such as plastic posy picks, polydowels, or food-safe wax (Safety Seal) to cover and make wires food-safe.

How to make gumpaste flowers

Gumpaste flowers are a great way to decorate a wedding cake, but they do take time, patience, and precision to create. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make gumpaste flowers:

Ingredients and Materials:

Firstly, gather your ingredients and materials. You will need gumpaste, which you can either make yourself or buy ready-made. If making your own, the essential ingredient is Gum Tragacanth, which gives the paste its stretch, elasticity, and pliability. You will also need gumpaste cutters, a small rolling pin, shaping tools (e.g. ball tool, veining tool, dog bone tool), foam pads, wires, long-nose pliers, fine scissors, petal dust, fine brushes, and flower formers.

Shaping the Gumpaste:

Using your gumpaste cutters, cut out the desired shape for your flower petals. Then, use the small rolling pin to roll out the gumpaste thinly and evenly. Place the gumpaste over the flower formers and gently shape it into the desired petal shape. You can use the foam pads to help with this process. If you want to add wires to your flowers, use the pliers to cut and bend the wires to the correct length, and then attach them to the petals with some gumpaste dissolved in water, or floral tape.

Assembling the Flowers:

Once your petals have dried, you can assemble your flowers. Use the petal dust and fine brushes to add colour and detail to the petals. Then, arrange the petals into the desired shape and secure them together using the gumpaste adhesive (gumpaste dissolved in water) or floral tape. If you are making a bouquet, you can attach the individual flowers to a larger wire stem, wrapping the floral tape around the wires as you go.

Storing and Attaching to Cake:

Gumpaste flowers can be stored indefinitely in a cool, dry place. When you are ready to attach them to your cake, you can use royal icing, melted chocolate, or candy melts as an adhesive. For larger flowers, it is best to use wires or toothpicks to provide extra support and avoid inserting the wires directly into the cake. Instead, you can use bubble tea straws or regular straws, inserting them into the cake and then adding the melted chocolate or candy melts inside before pushing the flower stem into the straw.

With these steps, you can create beautiful gumpaste flowers to decorate a wedding cake. It takes practice, but the results are well worth it!

How to transport a wedding cake with gumpaste flowers

Gumpaste flowers are a beautiful addition to a wedding cake, but they can be tricky to transport. Here are some tips to help you safely transport your cake with gumpaste flowers:

Preparing the Gumpaste Flowers for Transport:

• Create extra petals or flowers in case of breakage.
• Wrap each flower individually in tissue paper, bubble wrap, or plastic wrap.
• Place the wrapped flowers in a box lined with foam, bubble wrap, or quilt batting.
• If using foam, cut it to fit the box snugly and secure the flowers with dress pins.
• Alternatively, use plastic wrap or cheap toilet paper to create a "nest" for each flower, placing them in layers with heavier and larger pieces on the bottom.
• Make sure the box is sturdy and tall enough to accommodate the flowers without crushing them.

Transporting the Wedding Cake:

• Place the box with the gumpaste flowers in a stable area of your vehicle, such as the floor or a flat seat, to minimize movement during transport.
• Avoid stacking items on top of the box to prevent crushing.
• Drive carefully, avoiding sharp turns or abrupt stops that could cause the flowers to shift and break.

Final Thoughts:

It is always a good idea to transport the wedding cake and gumpaste flowers separately and assemble them at the venue. This reduces the risk of damage during transport and allows for easier handling.

Additionally, always inform the couple or venue staff about the presence of non-edible items on the cake, such as wires or toothpicks, to ensure food safety.

How to attach gumpaste flowers to a wedding cake

Gumpaste flowers can be a beautiful addition to a wedding cake, but it's important to know how to attach them safely and securely. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to attach gumpaste flowers to a wedding cake:

Prepare your gumpaste flowers:

Before you begin attaching the flowers to the cake, it's a good idea to have all your gumpaste flowers ready. You can make these yourself using a gumpaste recipe or buy pre-made ones. Gumpaste dries faster and harder than fondant, so it's ideal for creating intricate flowers. If you're making your own, store the gumpaste in an airtight container until you're ready to use it.

Gather your supplies:

To attach your gumpaste flowers to the wedding cake, you'll need some additional supplies. These include:

• Regular or bubble tea straws
• Melted candy melts or melted chocolate
• A zip lock or piping bag
• Floral tape
• Posy picks or polydowels
• Royal icing
• Needle-nose pliers (optional)

Plan your arrangement:

Before you start attaching the flowers, it's a good idea to plan your arrangement. Consider the size and type of flowers you have and how you want them to be displayed on the cake. You can create a mock-up of your arrangement in advance by placing the flowers on a piece of styrofoam or a dummy tier. This will help you visualise the final result and make any necessary adjustments.

Prepare the cake:

If your gumpaste flowers have wires attached, cover the wires with floral tape. This will help to secure the flowers and make them food-safe. You can also use plastic posy picks or polydowels to insert the wires into, which will prevent direct contact with the cake. If using posy picks, add a small piece of fondant paste inside to anchor the flower stem and prevent it from moving around.

Attach the flowers:

Now it's time to attach the flowers to the cake! Start by inserting the posy picks or polydowels into the cake at the desired angles and locations. For larger flowers, keep the wires long and insert them almost vertically down to the cake board for better weight distribution. You can use royal icing to secure the posy picks or polydowels and add extra stability.

Adjust and transport:

Once you've attached all the flowers, take a step back and adjust any flowers that don't look quite right. Bend stems and leaves to add movement and create a natural feel. If you need to transport the cake, use kitchen roll, foam, or something soft to protect the flowers from breakage during transit.

Final touches:

Before serving the cake, remember to remove any non-edible parts, such as wires, straws, or picks. Leave a note or card listing these items so that your guests are aware and can enjoy the cake safely.

Gumpaste vs fondant for wedding cake flowers

Gumpaste, also known as sugar paste or flower paste, is a popular choice for crafting delicate and realistic sugar flowers and intricate details on wedding cakes. Gumpaste is made from similar ingredients as fondant, such as icing sugar, fat, and water, but it has higher amounts of edible gums, giving it increased elasticity and strength once dried. This makes it ideal for creating figurines, lace, ruffles, and delicate filigree, in addition to flowers. Gumpaste dries faster and harder than fondant, making it a good choice for creating stable and long-lasting decorations. It is also easy to make at home, although pre-made gumpaste is readily available.

Fondant, on the other hand, is a versatile and widely recognised medium for cake decoration. It is made from icing sugar, fat, water, and edible gums, resulting in a pliable dough-like consistency. Fondant is often used to cover entire cakes, creating a smooth and polished finish. It can be shaped, moulded, and cut into various designs, such as simple flowers, ribbons, and textures. Fondant is ideal for those who are already comfortable working with it. However, fondant is not suitable for creating intricate shapes and figures due to its soft and stretchy characteristics.

When deciding between gumpaste and fondant for wedding cake flowers, there are a few factors to consider. Gumpaste is a better choice if you want to create realistic and delicate flowers with intricate details. It is also a good option if you want to make the flowers in advance, as they will last longer than fondant flowers. However, gumpaste flowers may not be as tasty as fondant flowers, and they are not meant to be eaten. Fondant flowers, on the other hand, are edible and can be delicious if made well. If taste is a priority for you, fondant may be the better choice. Additionally, if you are looking for a simple and quick way to decorate your wedding cake, fondant flowers might be a better option since you are already comfortable working with fondant.

When attaching gumpaste flowers to a wedding cake, there are several methods you can use. If you are using small or medium-sized flowers, you can attach them with buttercream, candy melts, or royal icing. For larger flowers, you may need to use floral picks, toothpicks, or wires for support. It is important to avoid inserting wires directly into the cake, as this is not food safe. Instead, you can cover the wires with florist tape and insert them into straws or posy picks, which are then placed into the cake. You can also use melted candy melts or chocolate inside the straws to provide extra support and create a barrier between the wires and the cake.

Gumpaste flower arrangement inspiration

Before you begin arranging your gumpaste flowers on a wedding cake, it's a good idea to source some inspiration. Look for images of flower arrangements and think about how you can adapt them for your cake. Consider the number, type, size, and colour of flowers that will work well together.

You can find inspiration on Pinterest, where there are boards dedicated to sugar flower arrangements on cakes. Look for something a little different, such as a protruding flower or an unusual element that could add interest to your arrangement.

Once you have an idea of the composition, it's time to group your flowers into "micro" arrangements. Tape the stems of smaller flowers, buds, and foliage into varied groups, with some compact and short and others longer and more sparse. You can also attach a few leaves to a larger flower or leave it on its own.

If you're unsure about your arrangement, create a mock-up by loosely placing your flower groups on a piece of styrofoam or a dummy tier. This will help you visualise how the final arrangement will look and ensure that you have enough flowers and fillers.

When you're happy with your design, it's time to start placing the flowers on the cake. Begin with the larger flowers, marking out your arrangement, and then fill in around them with the smaller flowers and foliage. Remember to angle the wires of the flowers downwards into the cake, as inserting them upwards risks the flower falling out.

Don't be afraid to leave some stems longer so that you can place flowers behind the larger ones to create a natural climbing effect. You can always trim the stems if they're too long.

If you're placing larger flowers on a buttercream cake, keep the wires long and use polydowels to encase them. Insert the wires almost vertically down to the cake board to distribute the weight of the flower and reduce the risk of the cake tearing.

And finally, don't worry if you make a mistake! Simply remove the flower and fill the hole with royal icing or buttercream to match the colour of the cake.

Frequently asked questions