The wedding cake is unarguably a central element at a wedding. Cutting of a wedding cake is a pivotal moment during a wedding reception, worthy of all the guests’ collective attention. Not wanting to miss the couple smashing cake into each other’s mouths, the photographer shoots a flurry of images.
Originally the wedding cake was a symbol of good luck in ancient Rome. It then evolved into a luxury item only the wealthy and elite could afford. Today it is a ubiquitous symbol of celebration. Cake cutting is special, as it is one of the first things the couple does together in their union.
Johanna Knapp of Delicately Sweet Confections graciously baked one of her cakes to use in this photoshoot. Johanna’s sweets are literally delicately sweet – light and moist with just the right amount of sweetness. Absolutely perfect in my opinion! An elementary teacher in her previous career, Johanna baked cupcakes for her first wedding in 2015. She has been making incredible cakes, cupcakes, and many other desserts ever since.
MANY WAYS TO DECORATE A WEDDING CAKE
There are many ways to decorate a cake nowadays. From “naked” with almost no frosting, to decadent, with fondant, flowers, to cake toppers. Some cake bakers even use edible gold. Talk about luxury!
As a floral designer, I think one of the loveliest adornments is, of course, fresh flowers. Flowers add a natural texture, color, and movement to wedding cakes. They are like a rainbow of paints to a painter’s white canvas. The visual appeal of flowers on a wedding cake can be stunning.
POTENTIAL TOXICITY OF FRESH FLOWERS FOR WEDDING CAKES
Like all plants some flowers are beneficial, even medicinal, while others are harmful to humans, sometimes resulting in illness. Most cut flowers for wedding design fall in-between. It is imperative to know whether the flowers you are using could be harmful, especially on a wedding cake.
I created my own cake flowers safety scale, with cut flowers going into one of these four categories:
- Poisonous Flowers – Some of the flowers used in wedding design are technically poisonous if ingested. Usually, these flowers are only toxic if consumed in large quantities. Avoid any flower that can cause stomachache, vomiting, or irritation.
- Imported Flowers (Non-Poisonous) – Ecuador and other parts of South America grow many of the world’s cut flowers. They are often sprayed with fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides. That white, milky substance on the stems of imported roses – that is glyphosate. A probably human carcinogen. It is best practice to keep imported flowers off of any edible surface.
- Local Flowers (Non-Poisonous) – From about May to October western Washington is blooming with flowers. Many flower farms here in the Pacific Northwest use regenerative, salmon safe, and organic farming techniques.
- Local Organic Edible Flowers – Nothing, in my opinion, beats using locally grown organic edible flowers on a wedding cake. It can be hard to match a specific color palette with edible flowers. The bonus, though, is getting all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients of those flowers.
CAKE FLOWERS DECORATION DESIGN
The potential toxicity of any flowers designated for a wedding cake always influences the design of the cake flowers.
Precaution should always be taken when decorating something edible. Most caterers will remove all cake decorations before cutting and serving. To be on the safe side, however, none of the toxic varieties should even touch the wedding cake. Hydrangea, which can cause stomach upset, nausea, and irritation, would be better displayed on the cake table. This could be in a halo around the cake, underneath the cake, or in a vessel on the cake table.
Organic edible flowers get the green light when it comes to wedding cakes. Because they are edible, organic flowers like nasturtiums and can go directly on and even in the cake. So you can freely adorn the top of the cake or the sides, like in a cascading stair pattern.
These organic edible zinnias and nasturtiums came from Ecolibrium Farms where I get my summer CSA farm-share from.
Most locally grown (non-toxic) flowers make great candidates for wedding cakes. With some preparation, you can be uninhibited with the design of your cake flowers. Keeping the cake intact and clean is always a florist’s priority.
BEST PRACTICES FOR KEEPING A FLOWERED WEDDING CAKE CLEAN
I first started my floral design business back in 2011 in Colorado. At that time, I did not know cake flowers best practices.
One wedding I remember clearly, I had brought the cake flowers in a bucket. The cake baker said since it was my design, that I could assemble the cake flowers. I had never adhered flowers to a cake before. I asked her how to do so without disturbing the smooth frosting. The cake baker said to go ahead and stick the stems in the cake. And I did – eek!
Nowadays I would never think of doing such a thing. When I think back to that wedding, I am horrified that flower sap potentially leaked into that wedding cake. Decorating a cake with flowers should be clean and unobtrusive.
While there are a few different methods you can use, the best one I have discovered is toothpicks. Here are the steps:
- Wash Flower Heads – cut all the flower heads from the stems. Wash with room temperature water and a natural soap (I like Dr. Bronner’s). Lay on a clean cloth to dry.
- Insert Clean Toothpick – flip the flowers over when dry. Insert a clean toothpick on the underside of each flower head. You might need to hold the flower with one hand while you insert the toothpick with the other hand.
- Seal With Hot Glue – dab a little hot glue on to seal the stem puncture. This is where the toothpick contacts the flower.
- Store The Flowers – the cake flowers should be stored in a clean container, lined with a cloth or paper towels.
Ultimately, whether the flowers are placed on the cake by me or by the cake baker, this ensures that no unsanitary flower stems enter the cake.
CONTACT HOLLY YEE FLORAL ARCHITECTURE FOR YOUR CAKE FLOWERS!
Decorating a wedding cake with flowers can make for a beautiful, organic aesthetic! I love working with couples who have flower-forward visions for their weddings. You can have your cake and eat the cake flowers, too!
If you are a couple that wants beautiful flowers on your wedding cake, please get in touch!
