How to Create an Inexpensive Wedding Cake Topper

Create your own wedding cake topper.

If you're a bride trying to save money on a wedding, consider going with a plain cake and making your own wedding cake topper. It will cut down on your budget and add a personal touch to your wedding. Since the topper is noticed more than the cake itself, skimp on the cake with a plain white one from a discount grocery store or reasonable bakery and add the top yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Styrofoam ball that will fit on top your cake
• Flowers
• Wire
• Candle holder
• Votive candle
• Heart-shaped candies
• Toothpicks
• Wooden letter
• Spray paint
• Porcelain figurine
• Photograph
• Photo frame

Instructions

1. Try your hand at a floral cake topper. Make this one no more than a day before the wedding. Cut the white Styrofoam ball in half to make the base. Arrange the flowers of your choice on the half Styrofoam ball. Just stick the stems of the flowers into the ball until the ball is completely covered. If stems are delicate, carefully twist small pieces of wire through or around the stems to keep them upright and in place. Refrigerate the ball until time for the wedding.

2. Make a glowing topper. Find a beautiful candle holder. Etched glass or a cup with grosgrain ribbon around it make good holders. Drop in a long-burning votive and light it. This topper will give your cake an elegant glow throughout the reception.

3. Use a heart theme in your topper. Use heart-shaped valentine candies or heart-shaped chocolates as a topper. Unwrap candies and pile them on the top of the cake, stick small toothpicks or bamboo skewers into the candies and arrange them on the top of the cake, or purchase an extra large (6-inch wide) chocolate heart and stick it on top of your cake.

4. Make a topper featuring your the initial of your new last name. Find a decorative letter that is relatively light and 3-dimensional (it should stand up on its own). Spray paint the letter a solid color and place it on top of your finished cake.

5. Make a topper out of a porcelain figurine. Use a favorite porcelain figurine or borrow one from a friend or family member to place on top your cake.

6. Create a topper with a photograph. Find a smallish silver, glass or acrylic frame and put a picture of you and your groom-to-be inside it. Place the frame on top of the cake.

Tips & Warnings

• When purchasing a larger, more unusual or heavier topper, keep weight in mind. Let the bakery know that you'd like a piece of foam core or cardboard inserted under the top layer of icing to provide a sturdy base for the topper to rest on.

References

• Brides: Wedding Cakes Gallery Figurines