Decorating a Wedding Cake

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Having a family member decorate your wedding cake is a great way to save money on your special day.  I know wedding cakes can be intimidating but if you think about it, it is really only 3 (or more) cakes in one.  So if you can decorate one cake, you most certainly can decorate three!  And if stacking makes you nervous, there are  some great alternatives out there.

Before you can start baking, you need to plan ahead and draw a sketch or, in the very least, put your thoughts down on paper.  Here are some ideas to help you start planning...

Tier Arrangement

If you want the look of a stacked cake but the thought of doweling a cake scares you, here is a great alternative.  This floating cake stand gives the appearance of a stacked cake but each tier can be transported separately and no dowels are involved.  This stand is sold by Wilton Industries and is easy to assemble.  It should be noted, however, that the top two tiers should not be very heavy.

Here is the same cake arranged differently.  There are many cake stands out there to accommodate this type of arrangement.  If the tiers were made for this type of placement, I would have probably put a few flowers in the center of the larger cakes.  Here are a few stands to help you achieve this look...

If you are looking for a more traditional look then stacking your cakes is the way to go.  Some important things to remember when stacking a cake...

1. Each tier (except for the bottom) should be placed on its own cake board.
2. To help you center each tier and find the best placement for the dowels, use a cake board to mark the next level's location.
3. VERY IMPORTANT! You must use dowels to support each tier.  Also, hammer a sharpened dowel down the center of the entire cake for extra stability.  View this helpful video for more information on doweling a cake.

Decorations

Once you have decided on the placement of your cakes, it is time to start thinking about decoration.  Will your cakes be covered in fondant or buttercream?  If purchasing fondant, I recommend Satin Ice.  It is easy to work with, tastes better than most, and is affordable.  If you plan on making your own, consider marshmallow fondant.  It is super easy to make and tastes fantastic.  Find all of our cake and icing recipes here.

The easiest way to decorate a wedding cake is by using fresh flowers.  Your local florist can be very helpful in this area.  They will help you coordinate colors and make sure all of your flowers are food safe.  However, please remember to use a food safe flower spike when sticking any kind of flower in a cake.














If you have your heart set on gumpaste decorations for your cake but you lack the skill, Piece of Cake Decorating can help!  I now sell complete cake kits, gumpaste flowers, or custom gumpaste decorations.  For more information, please visit my gumpaste shop or e-mail me at kseals@pieceofcakedecorating.com.

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