Crafting The Perfect Wedding Cake: A Guide To Customization

A wedding cake is a significant part of the big day. It's usually big, impressive, and tasty. But it needs decorating to show who it's for. This is often done through messages or quotes. The words chosen can be meaningful and add an extra special touch.

A wedding cake can have a short message, a playful phrase, a romantic quote, or the couple's names written on it. It should be something that makes the cake look classy and celebrates the new status of the couple's life together.

Choosing the right icing

Type of Icing

The type of icing you choose will depend on the desired look and flavour of your cake. Royal icing or fondant are popular choices for wedding cakes as they hold their shape well and are perfect for creating clean, straight lines. Fondant, in particular, is great for a smooth finish and can be easily coloured to match your wedding theme. It is also ideal for creating intricate details and decorations. Other types of icing, such as buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or ganache, can also be used but may not be as stable for writing messages.

Colour of Icing

Using icing that complements your wedding colours can make your cake stand out. You can choose to match the icing to your wedding colours or opt for a contrasting colour to make your message pop. If you want a more subtle look, a neutral-coloured icing, such as white or ivory, is a safe choice.

Flavour

The flavour of the icing is an important consideration, especially if you want your guests to enjoy eating the cake. While fondant is versatile and easy to work with, it may not be the most flavourful option. Consider using flavoured fondant or adding flavourings to your icing to enhance the taste. Alternatively, you can choose a different type of icing, such as buttercream, which is known for its rich and creamy flavour.

Practice

It is essential to practice using the icing before the big day. Experiment with different types of icing and writing utensils to see which works best for you. Practising will help you perfect your technique and ensure that your message looks neat and elegant on the cake.

Consult a Professional

If you are unsure about choosing the right icing, consulting a professional baker or cake decorator can be helpful. They will have the experience and expertise to guide you in selecting the best type of icing for your wedding cake and can even create custom flavours and colours to match your preferences.

Remember, the icing you choose should not only taste delicious but also complement the overall design and theme of your wedding cake. With the right icing, you can add that extra special touch to your wedding dessert!

Using a piping bag

Choose the Right Icing

The type of icing you use is crucial when writing on a wedding cake with a piping bag. Royal icing or fondant are ideal choices as they are thick enough to hold their shape and create neat lines. Select an icing colour that complements your wedding theme or use your wedding colours to make your message stand out.

Practice Makes Perfect

Before you start writing on your actual wedding cake, it's a good idea to practice. Get a piece of paper or an extra cake, and try out different piping techniques to find the style that works best for you. Practising will also help you get a feel for the icing consistency and how much pressure to apply when piping.

Keep it Short and Sweet

When it comes to the message, less is more. A simple phrase, your initials, or even just your wedding date will look elegant and classy. Avoid overly complicated messages, as they can be difficult to read and may not fit well on the cake. Remember, your goal is to add a special touch without overwhelming the design.

Steady Hands and Steady Pace

When it's time to pipe your message onto the wedding cake, take your time. Hold the piping bag steady with both hands and pipe slowly and carefully. This will help you achieve neat lettering and avoid any smudges or mistakes. If you make a mistake, don't panic. Gently wipe it off with a damp cloth or brush and start again.

Final Touches

Once you've finished writing your message, step back and admire your handiwork. Ensure the message is centred and visible. If you feel something is missing, you can add some simple decorations around the message, such as sugar flowers, pearls, or other edible embellishments.

Practising beforehand

You could practise cutting the cake with your partner. The neatest methods are either the box or wedge options. With one partner closest to the cake and the other behind, place both of your hands on the knife. Cut an inch into the cake and slice it down cleanly. Then, make a connecting cut for a wedge, using the cake knife to lift the wedge out and onto the plate.

You should also consult with your cake designer about your message and design ideas. They will be able to advise you on the best placement and how to make your cake look gorgeous.

Using a food-safe pen

Choose the Right Icing

To ensure your message is readable, select an icing that is thick enough to hold its shape. Royal icing or fondant are both excellent options.

Prepare Your Pen

Before using the food-safe pen, shake it well and press the tip gently on a plate until the ink starts flowing, ensuring even distribution. Food decorator pens contain concentrated food-grade dyes instead of edible ink, so it's important to prepare them properly.

Practice Your Design

Before writing on the cake, use a piece of paper or a practice surface to experiment with different designs and writing styles. This will help you get the sizing and spacing of your words right before you commit them to the cake. Remember, the more complicated the message, the more difficult it will be to read, so stick to something short and sweet.

Write on the Cake

When you're ready to write on the cake, use a light hand to avoid pressing too hard and potentially breaking the cake or smudging your words. Write slowly and carefully to ensure your words are legible.

Store and Clean Your Pens

After use, store the pens upright in a cool, dry place to prevent the ink from drying out. Clean the tips of the pens with a damp cloth or paper towel to prevent the ink from drying and clogging the tip. Do not immerse the pens in water or put them in the dishwasher.

Writing on a piece of paper first

Practising on paper first will help you visualise how the text will look on the cake, and make sure it's aesthetically pleasing. You could even try out a few different quotes or messages to see which one looks best. This is also a good way to check for any spelling mistakes—you don't want to realise you've misspelled something once it's already written on the cake!

If you're worried about your handwriting, or want to make sure your writing is neat and legible, writing on paper first is a great way to make sure you're happy with the style and size of your lettering. You could even try a few different writing utensils to see which one works best.

Writing on paper first is a good way to make sure you're happy with the overall look of the text before it goes on the cake. This will give you peace of mind and help ensure that your cake looks perfect on the big day.

Frequently asked questions