Fresh flowers v Sugar flowers
When it comes to decorating wedding cakes, both sugar (or wafer paper) flowers and fresh flowers have their unique charm and benefits. Sugar flowers, artfully crafted from gum paste, can add a stunning and bespoke touch to your cake, tailored to any theme or colour palette. On the other hand, fresh flowers offer a natural beauty and fragrance that enhances the cake’s overall appeal. However, each option comes with its pros and cons that you should consider when deciding what suits your special day best.
Sugar Flowers
Positives:
Longevity: Sugar flowers can last indefinitely, allowing you to keep a beautiful cake (if you opted for faux cake) as a keepsake after the wedding. If you like to keep sugarflowers only, let your venue staff know this and take a good care for them when they remove the flowers from the cake.
Customisation: They can be designed to match your colour scheme, theme, and even the intricate details of your attire, ensuring a perfectly cohesive look.
No Allergies: Unlike fresh flowers, which may cause allergic reactions, sugar flowers can be enjoyed by all guests without concern, some flowers are toxic and can’t be added to the cake, bet it is not a problem if those flowers are made from sugarpaste.
No Wilting: Sugar flowers maintain their perfect shape and colour, eliminating the worry of deterioration as the event progresses.
The "wow" effect: A cake adorned with exquisite, high-end sugar flowers is not just a dessert; it is a stunning masterpiece that captivates and leaves a lasting impression. Guests will marvel at the intricate details and craftsmanship, transforming your cake into a focal point of conversation that they won’t soon forget. This elegance ensures that your cake stands out in a sea of ordinary options, making it a memorable highlight of your special day.
Negatives:
Time-Consuming: Crafting intricate sugar flowers requires a considerable amount of time and skill, which can increase production time for the cake, that means, you have to make your choise of the flowers well in advance, so your cake designer have enough time to make them, it is not a last minute option. If your choosen cake designer is not good at this skill (do your research) then opt for the fresh or silk flowers instead.
Cost: Custom sugar flowers often come with a higher price tag due to the materials, time and craftsmanship involved.
Taste Preference: Some might find sugar flowers less enjoyable to eat, as they can have a distinctly sweet flavour compared to natural blooms. We are encouriging not to eat eather of those flowers, but treat them as a decoration of your cake and enjoy them visually only, as inrpocess of making sugarflowers artits use materials like - metal wires, tapes, polystyrofom balls, colouring, glitters and laque sprays. Same goes for the fresh flowers, to make them stay in certain shapes and be acceptable for inserting in the cake, things like wires, tapes, coctail sticks or metal pins are used.
Temperature Sensitivity: Sugar flowers can be sensitive to heat and humidity, potentially resulting in damage if exposed to extreme conditions.
Cultural Significance: Certain cultures may prefer the symbolism associated with fresh flowers, which could be lost with sugar alternatives.
Fresh Flowers
Positives:
Natural Beauty: Fresh flowers bring a vibrant and organic aesthetic that can be difficult to replicate with sugar.
Fragrance: The natural scent of fresh flowers can enhance the overall sensory experience of your wedding cake, talk more about this with your florist, they might advise you which flowers to choose, if the scent is one of things you want to explore.
Seasonal Selection: You can choose flowers that are in season, supporting local florists growing their own flowers and adding a unique touch.
Less Labour-Intensive: Using fresh flowers may reduce the time required for cake decoration, allowing more focus on other design elements.
Realism: Fresh flowers can contribute to a rustic or bohemian theme, providing authenticity that often resonates with couples.
Negatives:
Shelf Life: Fresh flowers may wilt or bruise, diminishing their visual appeal as the event progresses. It's essential to keep in mind that they can sometimes wilt or sustain damage even during transit. This can lead to lost petals or an overall unappealing appearance. Additionally, if the flowers are not in bloom when they arrive, they may not be ready to complement your cake as you envision. To ensure that your cake looks its best on your special day, ask for advise from your florist or opting for sugar flowers or wafer paper flowers, which can be meticulously crafted to align perfectly with your wedding theme without the concerns associated with fresh flowers.
Allergies: There is a risk of guests having floral allergies, which could make fresh flower cakes less inclusive.
Fresh flowers are frequently cultivated on extensive farms that depend significantly on chemical treatments. There is no limit to the number of pesticides that can be sprayed on flowers, as they are not classed as a consumable product. This has led to many flowers being sprayed heavily throughout their growing and shipping processes. Is this truly what you wish to decorate your exquisitely designed wedding cake?
Coordination Between Your Florist, Cake Designer and yourself:
When planning your wedding cake, it's essential to consider the coordination between your florist and the cake designer. A common issue arises when the cake is set for delivery, but the florists encounter delays, potentially at the church or another venue. This can lead to a situation where the fresh flowers intended for your cake are either late or, in worst-case scenarios, unavailable.
It's important to understand that florists are not responsible for the application of these flowers onto the cake. They are not cake designers, and their expertise lies in arranging fresh blooms, not working with the specific style and design of cakes. As a result, they might not fully grasp the particulars of how best to incorporate the flowers as per your vision, which can leave the cake without the anticipated floral accents.
More often than not, the shortage of flowers suitable for the cake stems from a lack of communication between the bride and the florist about this critical detail. The timing and availability of fresh flowers during transit are significant points to address.
Rather than leaving this matter to chance, it's wise to have a definitive plan that includes a contingency for flower delivery. Ensuring all parties are aligned on expectations will help prevent any last-minute surprises, ensuring that your cake is as stunning as you envision it on your special day.
Limited Customisation: The choice of fresh flowers might limit colour, shape and weight options, and customising them to a specific design can be challenging.
Cost Variability: Depending on the season and type of blooms, utilising fresh flowers could lead to fluctuating costs, especially for exotic varieties.
To ensure your wedding cake is a true showstopper, it's crucial to engage in open and thorough communication with both your florist and cake designer. Take the time to discuss your vision, preferences, and any potential concerns that may arise during the planning process.
By investigating various options and exploring creative solutions together, you can navigate any obstacles and bring your dream cake to life.
Remember, there's always a way to make your choices work harmoniously, so don’t hesitate to share your ideas and ask questions. Collaboration is key to achieving the perfect blend of design and flavour that will leave a lasting impression on your special day.