Flower Cake Topper for Wedding Cakes
- Ushba
- Jul 9
- 12 min read
Introduction: Why Flower Cake Toppers Are Taking Over London Weddings
In the world of weddings, a cake is more than dessert — it's a centrepiece, a canvas, and a quiet storyteller. And nothing says romance, elegance, or even playfulness quite like a beautifully crafted flower cake topper.
Across London in 2025, florals are the statement detail in wedding cake design. From handcrafted sugar roses and pressed edible violets to wafer-paper petals swirling atop tiers, these toppers have evolved into showpieces that often rival the gown or bouquet in charm.
So whether you're a DIY bride, a curious baker, or simply someone planning your wedding in or near the capital, this guide will walk you through the how, why, and where of crafting your own flower cake topper in London — right from your own kitchen.
Let’s roll up our sleeves.
How to Make Your Own Flower Cake Topper (Step-by-Step DIY – London Style)
🎯 Skill Level: Intermediate (but doable with patience)
⏳ Time Required: 3 to 5 hours
🍃 Total Cost in London: ~£22 to £40 (depends on scale & flower type)
Ingredients & Tools You’ll Need (All Available in London – 2025 Pricing):
Item | Type | Where to Buy (London) | Price (2025) |
Gum Paste | For sugar flowers | Cake Craft World (online) or Hobbycraft (in-store) | ~£4.99 per 250g |
Gel Colours (Red, Pink, Green, Ivory) | Petal dust/food gel | Squires Kitchen (Surrey outlet or online) | ~£3.20 each |
Cornstarch + Rolling Board | Non-stick surface | Tesco/Sainsbury’s | ~£2.50 |
Flower Cutters & Veiners | Rose, peony, ranunculus shapes | Amazon UK or Cake Decorating Co. | ~£8–15 per set |
Ball Tool + Foam Pad | Shaping | Cake Decorating Co. | ~£5.99 |
Edible Glue or CMC Paste | Adhesive | Lakeland or Cake Craft World | ~£3.99 |
Florist Wire & Tape (22 gauge) | For stem support | Global Sugar Art or local florists | ~£4.50 |
Small Paint Brushes | For dusting petals | WHSmith or Amazon UK | ~£2.99 |
Drying Rack or Foam Block | For setting petals | Cake Craft World or improvise at home | ~£6.00 |
Step-by-Step Guide: Making a Classic Sugar Rose Topper
Step 1: Prep Your Petal Paste
Knead gum paste with a small bit of CMC until firm but pliable. Colour using a tiny dab of food gel (e.g., dusty rose or blush pink for romantic looks). Wrap unused paste in clingfilm to prevent drying.
Step 2: Roll and Cut
Dust your rolling board with cornstarch and roll the paste until thin (think credit card thickness). Use your rose petal cutter to cut 5–7 small petals, then 5 medium, and 5 large.
Step 3: Shape and Vein
On a foam pad, use the ball tool to thin out the petal edges (this gives that lifelike curl). Use veiners to press in delicate lines.
Step 4: Build the Rose
Start with a small cone (the rose centre).
Add petals one by one using edible glue.
Overlap petals slightly for a blooming effect.
Insert florist wire through the centre (acts as your “stem”).
Let each layer dry slightly before adding the next.
Step 5: Colour and Finish
Once dry (after a couple of hours), gently brush on petal dusts — rose pink on the tips, a bit of green at the base.
Wrap the wire stem in floral tape and bend slightly for a natural flow.
💡 Tip: For a bridal bouquet look, you can add gum paste leaves, baby’s breath, or even wafer-paper filler flowers.
📦 How Long Do They Last?
Sugar flower toppers can be made 2–3 weeks in advance, stored in a cool, dry box away from moisture and sunlight. They’re non-perishable (but mostly decorative), so they last even longer if kept out of the fridge.
👛 Cost Breakdown for One Rose Topper:
Item | Approx Cost |
Gum Paste | £4.99 |
Food Colours | £6.40 (2 colours) |
Florist Wire + Tape | £4.50 |
Edible Glue | £3.99 |
Tools (one-time buy) | ~£20 |
Total (reusable tool cost not included) | ~£20 per 3–4 toppers |
Alternatives If You’re New to Baking:
If sugar flowers feel too advanced, try:
Wafer Paper Flowers – easier, air-dry fast. Kits start at £9.
Edible Pressed Flowers – real flowers safe for cakes (like violas). Buy from Edible Flower Co. or Maddocks Farm Organics – £8.95 per pack.
Artificial Silk Flowers (Food-Safe) – For display only. Ensure non-toxic stems. Available from Hobbycraft, prices from £3–£10.
💂 Where to Buy the Tools & Ingredients in London
Cake Decorating Company (Mail Order)
Most comprehensive online store in UK.
Ships to London in 24–48 hours.
Website: thecakedecoratingcompany.co.uk
Squires Kitchen Shop (Farnham, Surrey – 40 mins from London)
Specialist in professional cake supplies.
Best for advanced flower tools.
Hobbycraft (In-store – Wandsworth, Greenwich, Hayes)
Offers basic tools and cutters.
Great for beginners.
Lakeland & Amazon UK
Reliable for edible glue, flower tape, brushes.
Once your flower is complete, wire it into the cake just before display. Use a flower pick (available for £2.99 for a set of 10) to avoid wire-to-cake contact.
✨ Remember: Even if your cake is simple, the right floral topper can transform it into a masterpiece. And you’ll have made it yourself — how brilliant is that?
The Top 3 Most Innovative Flower Cake Toppers by Pearls & Crumbs (London)
If you ask anyone in West London who’s obsessed with wedding cakes, chances are they’ve heard of Pearls and Crumbs. This boutique bakery isn’t just a local gem; it’s become a trendsetter in the wedding world with its bespoke floral cake toppers — combining meticulous craftsmanship, culinary finesse, and artistry that genuinely turns heads.
While most wedding cakes in 2025 still feature fondant flowers or the odd fresh bloom, Pearls and Crumbs takes it much further. What sets them apart is not just their dedication to handmade work but their styling choices, theme integration, and floral realism. Their toppers are more than just decoration — they’re miniature installations of meaning, memory, and mood.
Let’s explore the top three flower cake topper designs from Pearls & Crumbs that are currently making waves across London’s wedding circuit.
1. “The Eden Cascade” – The Botanical Garden Experience
Overview:
This is one of Pearls and Crumbs’ signature wedding cake toppers — inspired by English botanical gardens and modern romanticism. It features an artful flow of sugar-made David Austin roses, ranunculus, eucalyptus sprigs, and tiny sweet peas, all cascading from the crown of a classic three-tier cake.
Design Features:
Handcrafted sugar flowers made using cold porcelain techniques, with subtle veining and lifelike structure.
Multi-tonal petals in blush, peach, and soft ivory — layered to create natural shading.
Uses wafer-paper filler petals to add dimension without weight.
Each flower is coloured using hand-mixed gel and dust combinations, not pre-bought colours — for a more organic look.
Technique:
Lead designer Ushba Adil (founder of Pearls and Crumbs) uses a combination of air-drying and steam-setting techniques to ensure the flowers hold shape and remain light. Each flower takes between 1.5 to 3 hours to make, depending on complexity.
Why It's Popular:
Perfect for indoor and outdoor weddings in gardens, barns, or botanical-themed venues.
Easily tailored to match the bridal bouquet or floral arch.
100 percent edible flower-safe construction — no hidden wires touching the cake due to clever use of support bases.
Client Response:
One recent bride, featured in a May 2025 Wedding Journal London interview, said:
“It felt like an enchanted garden was growing out of our cake. We actually kept the flowers after the wedding as keepsakes — they were too stunning to toss.”
Price Range (as of 2025):
£320 to £580 for a full topper and cascade.
Price varies based on floral volume and number of tiers.
2. “Golden Petals” – The Luxe Minimalist Statement
Overview:
For couples looking for drama without overcomplication, Pearls and Crumbs offer the “Golden Petals” flower cake topper — a sleek, elegant structure featuring metallic-edged sugar magnolias, champagne-coloured anemones, and gold-veined wafer orchids.
It’s a popular choice for modern weddings in central London venues like Claridge’s or The Ned, where the design complements opulent interiors.
Design Features:
One oversized central bloom (typically a white peony or magnolia) highlighted by gold-trimmed petal edging.
Use of thin wire scaffolding to elevate the flowers slightly above the cake’s top tier — giving a floating, sculptural effect.
Ivory and pearlised petals with a matte finish contrast beautifully with gloss gold accents.
Materials and Methods:
Flowers are made using gum paste and wafer paper hybrids to combine structure with lightness.
Painted using 24K edible gold paint (certified food-safe, sourced from PME UK).
No artificial dyes — instead, custom-tinted dusts from Squires Kitchen and Rainbow Dust UK are used for tone.
Why It Stands Out:
Ideal for evening weddings or receptions with dramatic lighting.
Works well with non-traditional cake shapes, like hexagonal or split-tiered designs.
Gender-neutral appeal — not overly floral or feminine.
Client Feedback:
A Mayfair couple described it as:
“The kind of cake topper you don’t forget — modern, sleek, and still so soft. It matched our gold-trimmed invitations and crystal tableware to perfection.”
Price Range (June 2025):
£280 to £450, depending on number of elements and finish requested.
3. “Blushing Meadow” – The Soft Vintage Topper
Overview:
Perhaps the most delicate and emotionally resonant of the three, “Blushing Meadow” draws on vintage English floral themes. Inspired by dried flower arrangements and countryside weddings, this topper includes a mix of sugar hydrangeas, dried edible blossoms, and pastel-coloured wafer flowers like cosmos and lisianthus.
It is often paired with buttercream cakes rather than fondant, offering a textured and organic appearance that appeals to today’s rustic-chic couples.
Design Features:
Flowers are made with a soft, airy finish — not hyper-realistic, but very romantic.
Uses edible pressed flowers (pansies, cornflowers, and violas) from local suppliers like Maddocks Farm Organics.
Petals are attached using a minimal amount of edible glue to preserve their natural wrinkles and curves.
Customisation Options:
Can be tinted to match spring or autumn colour palettes.
Frequently includes baby’s breath, wild lavender, and sugar poppies upon request.
Special Feature:
As of spring 2025, Pearls and Crumbs has introduced fragrance-infused petals (aroma-safe, food-grade essential oils like rose or elderflower) — making “Blushing Meadow” not only beautiful but faintly aromatic.
Why It’s Trending:
Couples are moving away from overly structured cake design and leaning into natural, wild aesthetics.
Matches beautifully with boho weddings or barn venues.
Topper is lightweight — no structural reinforcement needed on the cake.
Client Reaction:
In a feature with Hitched UK (March 2025), a bride shared:
“It was like a whisper of spring had landed on our cake. Everyone took photos of just the topper.”
Price Range:
£240 to £390, depending on flower count and whether fragrance is added.
Why Pearls and Crumbs Flower Cake Toppers Are Considered the Best in London
After reviewing countless wedding cakes across London, what sets Pearls and Crumbs apart is not just their technique, but their philosophy. Each topper is:
Tailored entirely to the couple — no two are ever the same.
Crafted using ingredients sourced locally in London or UK-based suppliers, with traceable food safety compliance.
Designed with a focus on aesthetic storytelling, tying into the wedding’s theme, location, and even the couple’s personality.
Their Instagram gallery has become a resource in itself, often bookmarked by planners and stylists. Many clients are repeat customers, having ordered for their engagement, wedding, and baby shower cakes, with evolving floral designs that grow with their life journey.
Pearls and Crumbs’ Topper Lead Times and Ordering Info
Lead Time: 3–5 weeks for custom floral toppers.
Urgent Requests: Rush orders possible with a surcharge (starting £50).
Consultation: Free 20-minute video consultation offered for all bespoke orders.
Collection & Delivery: Pick-up available in West Drayton, London. Delivery available within Zone 1–6 at extra charge (£10–£25 depending on distance).
For orders, reach out via:
📞 0798 568 9931
Or visit: pearlsandcrumbs.com
Or Click on the Following Button:
How to Choose the Best Flower Cake Topper for Your Wedding Cake in London
Word Count: 1,170+ wordsTone: Cake-design professional, helpful, groundedSEO Target: Wedding Cake Toppers UK, London Cake Design Tips, Custom Cake Topper Advice
So, you’ve got the date. You’ve booked the venue. You may even know what flavour your wedding cake will be — but one small detail could make your entire cake sing: the flower topper.
Whether you want a romantic sugar rose topper that nods to Kensington Palace gardens or a sleek minimalist peony that feels right at home in a Notting Hill loft, choosing the right floral topper is about much more than just picking a flower.
After exploring the DIY methods (Part 1) and Pearls and Crumbs’ extraordinary custom toppers, we now dig deep into how Londoners can make the right topper decision for their wedding cake — no fluff, no guesswork.
Here’s what to know before you choose your cake’s crown jewel.
🌼 1. Understand the Types of Flower Cake Toppers
Not all flower toppers are created equal — both in look and function. Based on 2025 industry trends and professional baker insights, here are the main types:
A. Sugar Flowers (Gum Paste or Cold Porcelain)
Best for: Classic, realistic looks; keepsake potential.
Pros: Custom-made, incredibly lifelike, fully edible (if no internal wire).
Cons: Time-consuming to make, delicate to handle.
B. Wafer Paper Flowers
Best for: Light, airy designs; modern minimalist cakes.
Pros: Lightweight, quick to assemble, easy to dye and cut.
Cons: Not ideal for hyper-detailed petals or heavy use.
C. Fresh Flowers (Non-Toxic and Edible)
Best for: Rustic or outdoor weddings, botanical themes.
Pros: Real scent and texture; easy to source locally.
Cons: Short lifespan; must be florist-approved for food use.
D. Pressed Edible Flowers
Best for: Flat-top cakes, semi-naked cakes, spring weddings.
Pros: Easy to place; provides a vintage, artisan look.
Cons: Less dimension; colours can fade under bright lighting.
E. Dried & Preserved Flowers (Food Safe)
Best for: Boho weddings, countryside venues.
Pros: Long shelf life; natural hues; eco-friendly.
Cons: Brittle, not always food-safe unless specified.
💡 2. Choosing the Right Topper: Key Factors to Consider
A. Venue and Theme Matching
Match your topper to your wedding location and theme to create a cohesive look. Here's how:
Venue Style | Topper Suggestion |
City Hotel (e.g., The Dorchester) | Metallic wafer paper petals or stylised roses |
Botanical Garden (e.g., Kew Gardens) | Realistic sugar flowers or fresh edible blooms |
Barn Wedding | Dried lavender, hydrangeas, and sugar wildflowers |
Registry Office/Minimalist | One oversized flower on a sleek buttercream base |
B. Cake Structure and Size
Not all toppers suit every cake shape.
Tall tiered cakes can support cascading sugar flowers or larger installations.
Smaller cakes (1–2 tiers) benefit from flat or angled toppers, like pressed petals or minimalist sugar blooms.
Textured buttercream cakes pair well with naturalistic elements like fresh flowers or dried grasses.
A skilled cake designer will always adjust scale and weight to maintain balance — especially if the topper is to be placed off-centre or wired in at an angle.
C. Seasonal Availability (Especially for Fresh & Edible Flowers)
Fresh and dried flowers are subject to seasonality. Here’s what’s popular in London by season (2025 florist data via London Flower School):
Season | Top Picks |
Spring | Anemone, ranunculus, violets, cosmos |
Summer | Roses, peonies, daisies, cornflowers |
Autumn | Sunflowers, dahlias, marigolds |
Winter | Hellebores, dried hydrangeas, brunia berries |
Make sure any florist-supplied topper is marked non-toxic and food-safe. Never use treated bouquet flowers directly on cakes without proper sealing.
🧑🤝🧑 3. Working with Your Cake Designer: A Collaboration Guide
When ordering from a top-tier designer like Pearls and Crumbs, communication is everything. Here’s how to get the most out of your consultation:
A. Bring Your Vision (But Be Open)
Show mood boards, bouquet samples, or even dress embroidery that you’d like your topper to echo. Designers love references — but will also guide you based on structural and edible constraints.
B. Ask About Storage and Transport
Not all toppers can be stored the same way. Sugar flowers need dry, cool settings. Fresh flowers must be applied last-minute. Make sure the designer explains how your cake will be handled on the day.
C. Clarify Which Elements Are Edible
Many people assume all cake decorations are edible. That’s not always the case — floral wire, for example, must never contact food unless inserted via a protective pick.
Always ask:
“What parts are decorative only, and what is safe to eat?”
D. Know Your Timeline
Good florals take time — especially sugar flowers. For bespoke toppers, Pearls and Crumbs currently recommend booking 4–6 weeks in advance. Don’t leave it to the last minute unless you want to choose from limited pre-designed options.
💬 4. Common Mistakes to Avoid (That Cost Couples in 2025)
Mistake #1: Assuming All Flowers Are Food-Safe
Many florists use treated or sprayed flowers. If you're DIYing with a local bouquet, you could accidentally place toxins directly on your cake. Always check sourcing — or stick to edible varieties like violas and marigolds.
Mistake #2: Overweighting a Topper on a Soft Cake
Buttercream cakes are delicious, but soft. A heavy topper — especially one with wires — can sink or tilt. Use lighter materials like wafer paper, or insert a support disc inside the top tier.
Mistake #3: Ordering Too Late
Florals are not an afterthought — especially when custom-made. Many bakeries in London now charge a premium for late topper requests (often £30 to £70 extra), or limit design options to existing templates.
🧾 5. FAQs on Wedding Cake Flower Toppers
Q: Are artificial flowers acceptable for a wedding cake topper?
Yes — but they must be certified food-safe or placed using a barrier like a flower pick or parchment layer.
Q: How far in advance should I order a custom topper in London?
For bespoke sugar or wafer paper flowers: 4 to 6 weeks in advance.
For fresh floral toppers: book the florist early, but assemble on the day.
Pearls and Crumbs accepts rush orders, but only if time and design allow.
Q: Can I keep my sugar flower topper after the wedding?
Yes. Keep them in a dry, sealed box. Many couples display them in glass domes or shadow boxes as a keepsake.
Q: How do I transport a wedding cake with a floral topper?
If not delivered by your baker, remove the topper and pack separately in padded foam. Reattach on-site using the supplied base or pick. Fresh flowers must be added on the day.
🎯 Final Checklist for Choosing the Best Flower Cake Topper in London
Before you confirm your order or attempt a DIY floral topper, ask yourself:
Is the material food-safe and weather-appropriate for my wedding day?
Does the style of the topper reflect my theme, location, and personality?
Have I consulted a professional (like Pearls and Crumbs) for realistic options?
Is the weight appropriate for my cake type?
Have I budgeted realistically for the topper, factoring in time, materials, and finish?
If you can tick off most of those with confidence, you’re ready to crown your cake with something unforgettable.
From DIY petal pressing to working with West London’s best like Pearls and Crumbs, a well-crafted flower cake topper can elevate an ordinary cake into an extraordinary memory. It's not just about beauty — it's about telling a story, adding a personalised flourish, and making your cake a centrepiece worthy of your day.
Whether you’re going for a wild, meadow-inspired cake bursting with edible colour or a single white bloom that says it all — don’t underestimate the power of that topper. After all, it’s the very first thing your guests will see when the cake is wheeled in. And in the photos? It'll be the part you always remember.
.png)
Comments