Sugar Flowers: Embellishing Wedding Cakes With Sweet Art

Sugar flowers are a popular choice for wedding cakes, adding a touch of artistry and intricacy to the overall design. They can be purchased from suppliers or handmade by bakers themselves. When it comes to placing sugar flowers on a wedding cake, it is essential to take your time and carefully plan the arrangement. It is recommended to have a variety of flower sizes and shapes, including small, medium, and large flowers, as well as different types of foliage to add texture. Start by positioning the larger flowers and then fill in the gaps with the smaller ones. Remember to consider weight distribution and always insert wires at a slight angle to prevent the flowers from falling out. If you make a mistake, simply remove the flower and fill the hole with icing. Sugar flowers should be handled with care and stored in a cool, dry place to ensure they remain beautiful for years to come.

Use a variety of sugar flower sizes and shapes to create a multi-dimensional look

Using sugar flowers in a variety of sizes and shapes is a great way to create a multi-dimensional look and make your wedding cake stand out. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Firstly, have a good mix of small, medium, and large flowers, as well as different types of foliage to add texture. You can even add berries or other fillers to create a natural, organic look. Play around with different combinations and placements until you find an arrangement that you're happy with. Remember, you can always remove the flowers and reposition them if needed.

When placing your flowers, start with the larger ones to mark out your arrangement, and then fill in the gaps with the smaller flowers and foliage. This will give your cake a sense of depth and make it look more dynamic. Don't be afraid to leave some stems longer so that you can place flowers behind the larger ones, allowing them to sit higher and creating a natural climbing effect.

Consider the weight distribution of your flowers. Place heavier flowers on the cake by themselves or with lightweight foliage to prevent too much weight in one area. Group the small to medium-sized flowers together into smaller arrangements to help them flow better and create a cohesive look.

When inserting wires into the cake, always angle them downwards or vertically to secure the flowers in place and prevent them from falling out. For larger flowers on buttercream cakes, keep the wires long and use polydowels to encase them. Insert the wires almost vertically, all the way down to the cake board, to distribute the weight and reduce the risk of tearing the cake.

If you make a mistake, simply remove the flower and fill the hole with royal icing or buttercream in the same colour as the cake.

Mix in textured or iridescent details, like painted petals or an edible shimmer

Adding textured or iridescent details to your sugar flowers and wedding cake can create a magical and whimsical effect. Here are some ways to achieve this:

Painted Petals

Painting petals can add a whimsical and romantic touch to your wedding cake. You can use food-safe colour dust, which is available in various colours, to paint the petals. This method is perfect for weddings with a romantic, soft, organic, natural, or boho theme. You can also use a technique called buttercream painting, where you use buttercream and palette knives to create motifs and florals on the cake. This technique can be used to match the wedding flowers or create abstract designs.

Edible Shimmer

Edible shimmer, also known as sparkle, can be used to highlight the design and add glamour and fun to your cake. Here are some popular types of edible shimmer:

• Sanding and Coarse Sugars: These decorative sugars have larger grains than regular sugar and come in various colours. Simply sprinkle them on wet icing, and if needed, apply a thin layer of icing over them to help them stick.
• Luster Dust: This is a shimmery powder that can be added to fondant flowers to create sparkle and colour. It comes in colours like gold, silver, and bronze.
• Edible Glitter: This will make your cake look magical, with tiny flakes of shimmering colours or whites. Sprinkle it on wet icing and use a thin layer of icing to help it stick if needed.
• Edible Metallic Spray: These sprays come in aerosol cans and create a glittery metallic finish. The most common colours are gold, silver, copper, and bronze. Spray the desired area, covering the rest of the cake with parchment paper for a sharper look. Allow it to dry and apply a second coat if needed.

Other Textured Details

You can also add texture to your cake by using techniques such as fondant wrapping. Cut strips of fondant, tapering the edges downward, and apply them one by one, overlapping each other to create a rose petal-like appearance. Finish by painting the slightly curled edges with luster dust. This technique adds a delicate and whimsical touch to your cake.

Reinforce thin sugar flower stems with thicker wires and floral tape

When working with sugar flowers, it's important to cover the wires before inserting them into the cake. This is because exposed wires are not food safe and could be a hazard to those eating the cake. There are several methods to cover wires, including using plastic posy picks, polydowels, or a product called Safety Seal.

If you're working with thin sugar flower stems, you can reinforce them with thicker wires and floral tape. This will give them more stability and make them easier to insert into the cake. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Cut a length of thicker wire, preferably one that is food-safe and designed for use with cakes. The wire should be slightly longer than the stem of your sugar flower.
• Take your sugar flower and gently twist the thinner stem around the thicker wire. This will give the stem more strength and support.
• Secure the thinner stem to the thicker wire using floral tape. Start at the base of the flower and wrap the tape tightly downwards, overlapping slightly as you go.
• Continue wrapping the floral tape down the length of the thicker wire, making sure to cover any sharp edges or points.
• Trim the excess wire at the bottom, leaving enough to insert into the cake securely.
• Gently insert the reinforced stem into the cake at the desired angle and position, taking care not to bend or break the sugar flower.

By reinforcing thin sugar flower stems with thicker wires and floral tape, you can create a more secure and stable arrangement on your wedding cake. This technique ensures that your sugar flowers stay in place and gives your cake a professional finish.

Attach wired sugar flowers to a plastic flower pick, then push the pick into the cake

Attaching wired sugar flowers to a plastic flower pick is a great way to secure them to your wedding cake. This method ensures that the wires are covered and your flowers are safely anchored in the cake. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare your wired sugar flowers: Ensure that your sugar flowers are securely attached to their wires. You can use floral tape to bind the wires to the stems of the flowers, creating a neat and secure finish.
• Obtain plastic flower picks: Source some plastic flower picks, also known as posy picks. These are readily available in a range of sizes from suppliers like eBay or specialist cake decorating suppliers.
• Attach wired flowers to the picks: Carefully insert the wires of your sugar flowers into the plastic flower picks. This step can be done in advance, giving you the flexibility to adjust and trim the wires to the desired length.
• Push the pick into the cake: Once your flowers are secured in the plastic picks, it's time to attach them to the cake. Gently push the picks into the cake, positioning them according to your desired arrangement.
• Adjust and secure: After inserting the picks, you can adjust the angle and depth of the flowers by carefully pushing them further in or pulling them out slightly. Ensure that the wires are inserted at a slight downward angle into the cake to prevent the flowers from falling out.
• Fill with icing (optional): If desired, you can fill the area around the inserted pick with royal icing or fondant. This will help to secure the flowers in place and cover any gaps or imperfections.
• Arrange the flowers: With the picks securely in place, you can now arrange the flowers as needed. Position the flowers in a way that feels natural and organic, taking into account the size, shape, and colour of each flower.

Remember to handle the sugar flowers with care to avoid breakage, especially when inserting the wires into the plastic picks and pushing them into the cake. It's also a good idea to have a variety of flower sizes and shapes on hand to create a beautiful, multi-dimensional arrangement.

Use a soft cloth or tissue to wipe off any excess buttercream or fondant from the sugar flowers

Sugar flowers are delicate, so it's important to handle them with care to avoid breakage. If you want to keep your sugar flowers as a memento, you'll need to take extra precautions to ensure they remain intact and beautiful for as long as possible.

One crucial step is to wipe off any excess buttercream, fondant, cake, or icing from your sugar flowers. These substances are highly perishable and contain moisture, which can lead to the formation of mould or bacteria on your sugar flowers over time. Therefore, use a very soft cloth or tissue to gently wipe off every last bit of buttercream or fondant from the flowers. This will give your flowers the best chance of lasting for a long time.

When wiping down the sugar flowers, be careful not to use water. If needed, you can use a high-ABV alcohol-soaked cloth to clean the petals, but be aware that the alcohol may remove any glazing or colour. Use as little liquid as possible, and be cautious not to damage the delicate petals or stems. After wiping them with alcohol, set the flowers aside to dry completely before storing or displaying them.

By following this step, you will ensure that your sugar flowers are free from perishable substances that can shorten their lifespan. This will help them remain beautiful and intact for months or even years, allowing you to cherish them as special mementos from your wedding.

Frequently asked questions