How to Decorate a Wedding Cake

Perhaps the easiest way for a bride to show her creative side and illustrate her personality is in the way she chooses to decorate the cake. The wedding cake is the centerpiece of the reception; a masterpiece that anchors the whole theme and sets the tone for the reception. Appropriately decorated, a cake can be elegant, playful, imaginative, colorful, traditional, or completely personalized. Here are some tips to decorate a cake so it's unlike any other wedding cake.

Consider your hobbies and those of your intended. If one of the things that drew the two of you together was your love of biking, for example, you can build the theme of your cake around that interest. Find a unique topper that shows a bride and groom on a tandem bike. Cute, and a great metaphor for teamwork. Add little sugar creations that look like bike paraphernalia, like helmets, tire pumps, bike shorts, and tires. Such a cake would add whimsy and interest to your most meaningful day.

If you're planning to decorate your own cake, rather than having a baker do it, practice several months ahead of time so that you become adept at it, and so that you have time to troubleshoot any problems that might arise. It might seem that frosting a cake is just a matter of plopping the frosting on and spreading it around. It's actually much more difficult than that. First, the cake needs to be completely smooth and round. Use a long, slender, sharp knife to shave off the slightly rounded top of the cake and to create a flat, uniform surface. The next step is absolutely imperative: make one complete, very thin layer of frosting to "trap" the crumbs. The hardest thing about frosting any cake is avoiding a crumby finish. This trapping layer will provide a primer that will ensure the second layer is smooth and perfect. Next, work on the sides of the cake. Place a small dollop on your long, thin spatula. Smooth it around the edges, taking care not to spread it too thin. Frosting usually doesn't drip or run, so don't be afraid to be generous. Once you've made your way around the whole cake, work on the top. After you've applied the frosting and have it spread uniformly over the top, use your spatula to experiment with designs in the frosting. This is another reason that a practice run well ahead of time is necessary.

Add a personalized touch to your cake with a meaningful, unique topper and theme for your cake. Or make it truly one-of-a-kind by actually decorating it yourself. Either way, you can be sure it will add an element of personality to your cake that will be immensely satisfying for years to come. You might even be on the road to a new career!