Weddings are one of the most memorable events in our lives. There is no doubt that the bride and groom and their wedding ring sets are the highlights of the ceremony, but when everybody goes to the reception, the cake definitely becomes the centerpiece of the celebration. All eyes on the cake! The cake can stand by itself but it can also be personalized with cake toppers. Wedding cake toppers are a type of ornament or decoration that the couple’s use to add exceptional detail at the wedding.
These cake toppers often jive with the personality of the couple and the wedding theme. Not only do wedding cake toppers beautify the cake but they also serve as a trinket or keepsake that you can treasure to keep wedding memories. The cake topper also becomes an instant reflection of the lover’s character, uniqueness, and personality. With them, wedding guests are able to understand the wedding theme and the couple better.
The best thing about them is that today’s wedding cake toppers are available in a plethora of designs and styles. Toppers are available in different sizes, forms, and materials. There are traditional, modern, seasonal toppers, figurines, romantic emblems, and monograms.
Traditional cake toppers may feature the classic bride and groom figurines while modern cake toppers can literally be anything that the couple imagines. Deciding on the best cake topper to use may be a hard decision. There are a lot of things to consider like the size of the cake, the theme of the wedding, and personal choices. To help you decide, you can also check the best wedding trends. Let us learn more about the history and types of cake toppers to help you with your decision.
The Best Wedding Cake Toppers
History of Wedding Cake Toppers
The exact date when wedding cake toppers were first used is unknown but it can be safe to say that the wedding cake toppers’ history dates back to the late 19th century. Most historians would agree that the first appearance of wedding cake toppers was during the 1890s. Since cake toppers are eye-catching, its popularity has boomed at the turn of the century. It started being shown on mail-order catalogs in 1927 where designs and options are shared on a whole page. They eventually became part of the mainstream tradition in the 1950s. They were mainly used to represent the love and unity of a couple.
It is not sure how it all started with the wedding cake topper. It is a complete mystery but there is one account that shares its beginnings. The story revolves around a baker’s daughter who is preparing for her marriage. The baker was asked by his daughter to create a symbol for the steadfast and unflinching love. This is to ensure that their love and promise to each other as a symbol for the world to see. After coming up with different ideas and carefully deliberating for each of them, the baker finally decided to create a unique combination of designs. He made a wedding cake and topped it with the lovely traditional figurine we have come to know.
The baker believed that the figurine representation of her daughter and her groom reflects their love perfectly. When the daughter saw the wedding cake and the figurines, she was moved and touched by them. Although the story is possibly an anecdote, it still perfectly pinpoints the true and genuine reason why we need to have a cake topper at our weddings. The bride and groom cake topper has been a classic topper but this tradition has changed through the years.
Types of Wedding Cake Toppers
While some opt for the traditional cake toppers, there are more and more couples who are staying away from the usual. Since it is an awesome way to express personality, couples use cake toppers catch the guest’s attention and express both individuality and duality. Whatever feeling the couples want their guests to feel during the wedding ceremony: happy, humorous, romantic, whimsical, or curious, they can be easily achieved with the help of the cake toppers.
Figurines as Wedding Cake Toppers
Traditional Wedding Figurines
The formal and traditional cake toppers have always been bride and groom figurines. The bride figurine typically wears the classic white dress while the groom wears the usual black tuxedo. Traditionally, these figurines are arranged side by side on the cake; They may be facing each other or holding hands together. Some couple even uses their parent’s cake topper and keep it as a family heirloom. This adds more sentimental memories with the topper too.
Modern Figurine Toppers
This bride and groom figurine also has a modern version. Instead of featuring the usual and boring positions, the modern figurines feature the bride and groom doing different activities like dancing. They can also be wearing traditional and distinctive cultural clothing.
Some even opt for clothing that fits the imagery the topper is trying to portray. These figurines often represent the married couple. The figurines match the hair, wardrobe, age, gender, race, and ethnicity of the couple. There are even some manufacturers who make customized faces for the figurines to ensure it looks like a miniature version of the couple. Since there have been a lot of changes in society, there are also wedding cake toppers that are available for same-sex weddings. Although they feature uniqueness, they still come at a relatively inexpensive price.
Customized Wedding Cake Toppers
If you want to go for a more personalized and detailed figurine, its price may vary depending on your requests. A customized request may be ordered by contacting a baker or an artisan. They basically need a picture of the couple, may it be digital or analog. These toppers can feature your pets, hobbies, favorite things or anything unique that you have done together. With these personalized figurines, your imagination is your limit. This is where you can really express your individuality and duality. If you do not want to settle on figurines that barely resemble you or what you love to do as a couple, then customized figurines are for you.
Humorous Wedding Cake Toppers
There are couples who naturally have that humorous and whimsical personality that they want to feature in their cake. These make the cake a natural attention-grabber. They make the best impressions and features the couple’s interest and personality. There are many cute and playful wedding cake toppers that are available. You just have to find one that suits your taste and personality. Popular choices are comic book characters and animal figurines. Some even feature humorous scenes like the groom with a ball and chain on his ankle.
Quirky Figurine Toppers
You can also feature a figurine that shows a quirky scene. For example, a couple enjoying a video game together, a couple doing a political campaign, or a couple skydiving together. Other couples also feature gothic-inspired figurines while some opt for hobby-inspired figurines. It all boils down to expressing yourselves.
Modern Wedding Cake Toppers
The modern versions of cake toppers utilize different materials and features modern designs like a silhouette of the couple, stylized figurines, or modern shapes. Usually, modern toppers try to be subtle and minimalist with their designs. It may feature simple lines patterns and may not have a lot of distinct features. These toppers can also be transformed into an instant home display after the wedding.
Letter Monogram
The letter monogram cake toppers are very popular in the south. The unique lettering makes it sophisticated. The simple and subtle design of monograms can easily complement any cake design. Letter monograms come in different styles. It can be the couple’s name initials which may be designed side by side or intertwined.
They can also feature the family name or the couple’s first names. Everything is basically about the choice the couple makes. The letter designs vary in different colors and fonts. Colors may be gold, silver, or pearl. Fonts can literally be anything but simple fonts are the best options as they are more legible. Monograms are made from different materials: metal, stone, glass, wood, sugar, and other edible materials.
Ice Sculptures
Ice sculptures are one of the best and most eye-catching wedding cake toppers. When placed on top of the cake, it reflects lights off while on display. This display will definitely attract attention. Mini ice sculptures are typically inspired by larger sculpture versions. They are elegantly beautiful by themselves. Adding them to your wedding cake as adornment is just a whole new level of excitement.
Nature Wedding Cake Toppers
Flowers Wedding Cake Toppers
For couples who like simplicity at its finest, they can opt for flowers as a cake topper. The natural beauty of flowers is enough to make a cake stand out. Whether you use artificial, fondant or fresh flowers, the exquisite beauty of flowers can effectively enhance your cake. Flowers are available in different colors which means that you have a plethora of options to match your wedding theme. Flowers also bear a specific symbolism that can be perfect to express your love for one another.
Animals Wedding Cake Toppers
The use of animals as a wedding cake topper has boomed over the years. They can also effectively bear meaning. The most popular animal wedding cake toppers are love birds and elephants. They would typically be arranged like the traditional figurines. The animals may also represent a human-like image. They can wear a hat or a veil to look like the bride and groom.
Buying your Wedding Cake Topper
Wedding cake toppers are indeed lovely and symbolic. Choosing the perfect cake topper for your wedding cake is easy as long as you know what you want and you know your options. Always make sure that your cake topper symbolizes the special bond between you and your partner. Whether you want to go simple, elegant, or unique, you should not forget that the cake topper is a piece of memory that will carry a lot of meaning for a lifetime. Let the wedding wishes cards flooding and keeps your personalities shining all throughout the event with the wedding cake topper.
Hey lovely readers! My name is Chantal and I am obsessed with everything accessory and jewelry. My husband (and best friend) John and I, have been writing content for this blog for over 4 years now started the RTP store with over 4000 curated accessories and jewelry. We are traveling around the world to find the latest products, negotiate the best prices and find the best quality for our readers. We have managed to make our passion for feeling and looking good into our work. We are always open to new product suggestion, improvements or feedback. If you would like to chitchat with me, email me here!
Wow, absolutely outstanding. So beautiful . We are so honoured to have you design and make our beautiful wedding cake… absolutely breath-taking.