Sugar flowers vs real flowers on cake
Photo credit: Lilac Studios
Sugar flowers are a food safe option - every one that comes out of the Fancy That Cake studio has been handcrafted by Kellie, using food safe ingredients & equipment. Not only are they food safe/edible, they are pretty darn realistic looking too!
Sugar flowers can be completely customized to your theme/look/colour plan. They are never out of season and can be created in any colour of the rainbow.
Sugar flowers can look incredibly realistic - although because they are super technical - they can take anywhere from an hour to several hours to complete - they can be costly. A seasoned cake designer has spent years learning to create delicate and realistic looking flowers that are safe for your cake.
And if you let your venue know ahead of time, you can save the flowers as a keepsake from your special day. Sugar flowers can last forever if they are kept in the right conditions (low humidity, out of direct sunlight).
There are so many options to consider - so chat with your cake designer to find a plan that works for you and your budget!
It's no secret that my favourite part of wedding cakes is creating sugar flowers! But I do get asked about using real flowers instead. There are pros and cons to each option, so let’s look at the options!
Real flowers can be fantastic on a cake - they can be an inexpensive way to add a fresh, natural look to your wedding cake. And if you get them from your florist they will coordinate beautifully with the rest of your wedding flowers.
But they must be added with extreme care. Real flowers have pesticides, and many are actually toxic or poisonous (like baby’s breath, lilies and hydrangeas) and should not be anywhere near cake.
They need to be added to the cake in a special way so that it can be served to your guests. Stems need to be wrapped individually and barriers in place so no sap drips into the cake. Your cake designer should be the one adding them to the cake, so they can ensure it is done in a food safe manner.
Another drawback is you are limited to the time of year - peonies are only available May-June, for example. And on a hot summer day flowers can wilt quickly, because they won’t be in a vase of water once they are on the cake.
Photo Credit: Ugo Photography
