Wedding Cake Decorating Ideas: Simple To Extravagant

Wedding cakes are a focal point of the reception, so it's important to choose the right style. Whether you're having a formal or informal celebration, there are endless ways to decorate your wedding cake. From fresh flowers to gold leaf, and from fruit to chocolate, there are decorations to suit every style and budget. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Flowers and foliage

When using flowers and foliage, it is important to first do your research. Any flowers or plants used should be free from pesticides or harmful chemicals, and should not be toxic to humans. You should also consider the flavour of the cake, and how this will complement the flowers.

There are a few different ways to use flowers and foliage on a wedding cake. A popular choice is to use flowers as a cake topper. This can be inspired by the colour scheme, the bridal bouquet, or the season. For a summer wedding, sunflowers could be used, while a pastel-inspired wedding could feature blush garden roses. Flowers can also be used to create a cascading design, reminiscent of a waterfall, which gives the cake a lush and bountiful feeling. For a delicate and elegant look, orchids and roses can be used, while exotic, oversized flowers and plants can be used to create a modern and luxurious feel.

Edible flowers can also be used to decorate wedding cakes. These include roses, cherry blossoms, cornflowers, chrysanthemums, and violets. These can be used in different forms, such as dried or pressed, or scattered like confetti to create different textures. For a bohemian wedding, edible flowers can be arranged along the top edge of the cake, or in a floral wreath design. Small edible flowers can also be arranged all over the cake like confetti.

For a minimalist wedding, dried flowers and other natural elements, such as pinecones, can be used. A simple design can bring attention to the detailed beauty of the natural elements.

Fruit

A simple way to incorporate fruit into your wedding cake is to use sprinklings of berries. You can also get creative with painted, shimmering pears or apples, or opt for a more tropical theme with bananas, strawberries, figs, and pineapples. For a glamorous touch, try adding flecks of gold to your fruit.

If you're looking for something a little more understated, a naked cake can be a great option. A naked cake is simply a cake without any fondant or icing, allowing the texture of the cake to show through. You can decorate a naked cake with fresh fruit, such as blackberries, or a combination of fruit and flowers, like the lemon and berry cake, or strawberry and floral cake.

For a more traditional approach, a deep fruit wedding cake is a British classic. This rich, dense cake is made with dried fruits, spices, and a touch of alcohol, and can be layered with marzipan and fondant. The fruit and alcohol help to preserve the cake, so it can be made weeks or even months in advance and will only improve in flavour over time.

• Lemon-thyme cake with layers of lemon curd and vanilla buttercream, decorated with candied lemon slices.
• Blackberry and pumpkin cake with blackberry purée, cream cheese frosting, fresh blackberries, flowers, and greenery.
• Tropical fruit cake with layers brushed with rum syrup, filled with passion fruit curd and rum-vanilla buttercream, and topped with hibiscus flowers, lychees, coconut, mini pineapple, bananas, and tamarillo.
• Cherry-almond cake with cherries and marzipan, a sweet almond paste, and buttercream with ground almonds.
• Plum and cardamom cake with cardamom-honey cake layers, topped with plum compote and torched plums.
• Chocolate and kumquat cake with candied kumquats, chocolate cake, and whipped ganache.
• Grape and pear cake with Swiss meringue buttercream, garnished with champagne grapes and Seckel pears.

Chocolate

A chocolate drip cake is a popular trend for wedding cakes. To achieve this look, a chocolate glaze or ganache is poured over the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides in a controlled manner. This creates a stylish and elegant finish. The drips can be as subtle or dramatic as desired and can be paired with other decorations such as fresh fruit, flowers, or gold leaf.

For a unique and modern look, chocolate can be used to create decorative shards or plaques. By melting chocolate and spreading it thinly on a lined baking sheet, it can be scored and broken into shards once set. These shards can be used to adorn the cake, creating a textured and eye-catching finish. For a more precise look, the chocolate can be cut into plaques of exact heights to fit the cake.

A classic and versatile option, chocolate buttercream can be used to frost and decorate a wedding cake. It can be piped into swirls, rosettes, or other decorative patterns, or simply spread over the cake for a smooth finish. Chocolate buttercream can also be used as a base for other decorations, such as fresh flowers or fruit. It is important to note that buttercream is more susceptible to melting in warm temperatures, so it may not be suitable for outdoor weddings.

Cake toppers

Figurines

For a traditional approach, opt for miniature bride and groom figurines. These can be personalised to look like the happy couple, with customisable features such as skin tone and hair colour. You can also find unique designs, such as sporty or humorous cake toppers, to match your interests and sense of humour.

Acrylic Toppers

Acrylic cake toppers are a modern and versatile choice. They can be customised with eye-catching wording, such as "Best Day Ever" or "The Hunt is Over". Acrylic toppers come in various colours and sizes, making them a perfect addition to any wedding cake. They are also lightweight and easy to transport, ideal for destination weddings or outdoor receptions.

Flowers

Fresh flowers are a popular choice for wedding cake toppers, adding a romantic and elegant touch. You can use single-stem blooms to create the illusion of flowers growing out of the cake or opt for a cascade of blooms trailing down multiple tiers. If you're concerned about real flowers wilting, sugar flowers are a gorgeous alternative, and your guests can even eat them!

Custom Designs

If you're looking for something truly unique, consider a custom cake topper. You can work with a designer to create a topper that reflects your wedding theme, colour palette, or cultural background. Custom toppers can be made from various materials, such as wood or porcelain, and can even include personal details like your pets or hobbies.

Monograms

For a simple yet classic option, choose a monogram cake topper featuring the initials of the newlyweds. This elegant touch can be customised to match your wedding colour scheme and is perfect for a glamorous or formal wedding.

With so many options available, you're sure to find a cake topper that reflects your style and adds a special touch to your big day.

Icing

Fondant

Fondant is a firm, sweet sugar icing that is perhaps the most popular wedding cake coating. It is made by rolling out large pieces of sugar paste to create a flawless, smooth finish on a cake. Fondant is loved by bakers because it is perfect for intricate designs and details that cannot be easily achieved with other types of icing. It also holds up well in warmer temperatures, keeping your cake fresh. Fondant is quite versatile and can be easily dyed, making it a great base for adding decorative elements like edible illustrations, sugar crystals, and flowers.

However, some people may find fondant too thick or overly sweet, and it is usually the most expensive option. It requires a skilled baker to achieve the perfect balance between aesthetics and flavour.

Buttercream

Buttercream is another popular option and comes in several varieties, including American, Italian, and Swiss meringue buttercream. A simple buttercream frosting is typically made with butter, powdered sugar, and either milk or cream.

American Buttercream

American buttercream is a classic, sweet, and affordable option. It works well for elegant or rustic designs and can be finished in various ways. It can also be stable for up to six hours on display in most temperatures and settings, making it a good choice for indoor or outdoor weddings. However, some may find it too sweet, and it can be tricky to achieve a super-smooth finish. It is also more difficult to work with due to its gritty texture.

Italian and Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Italian and Swiss meringue buttercreams are less sweet and have a light, fluffy, and exceptionally smooth texture. They give the cake a shiny finish and are perfect for those who want flavour without the cake being too sweet. However, they are susceptible to melting in moderate to high temperatures, so they may not be suitable for outdoor summer weddings.

Ganache

Ganache is a rich and decadent mixture of chocolate and cream, perfect for chocolate lovers. It has a glossy finish that looks beautiful in photos and can handle high levels of heat. However, it is important to avoid external temperature changes, as this can affect the ganache. The cost of ganache can also vary depending on the quality of the chocolate used.

Whipped Cream Frosting

Whipped cream frosting is a simple mixture of whipped cream and powdered sugar, resulting in a delicious and light option. However, it can only be used for a smooth frosting finish and has limited display time, so it is not often used for the outside of cakes.

Other Icing Options

There are also other icing options to consider, such as cream cheese buttercream blend, which has a delicious flavour but may have a yellowish tint. You can also get creative and use chocolate shards, tempered chocolate, or even paint a floral design directly onto the fondant.

Additionally, piping is a great way to finish a "fancier" cake, and fresh flowers are a classic choice for decorating a wedding cake.

Frequently asked questions