Wedding Cake- DIY Style

As much as I wish Wedding Planning was just like it is in the movies with all of the presents, people gushing all over you and limitless cash flowing to use at your disposal(cue father of the bride intro), that just isn’t the case.  Yes, it can get quite stressful, there is no denying that but there are many moments where you are able to just have fun and get creative.

Since I will be having a very small intimate wedding and trying to keep the costs as low as possible, I am looking to do most things myself (ie: Flower Design, Cake, Room Set-Up…)  Don’t get me wrong, I am so excited about it!  I wouldn’t have it any other way, even if I did have thousands and thousands of dollars to spend.

Today I began my DIY experiment- The Wedding Cake!

I know what you are thinking.  I’ve gone off the deep end.  Just hear me out.

I am obsessed with wedding cakes and how beautiful they look on display.  I spend my days gushing over new ideas and new designs.  As much as I love cakes, I can’t bring myself to spend hundreds of dollars on ONE cake.  Plus, the venue has a $5.00 per person cake cutting fee if we bring in a wedding cake.  No thank you! What is a girl to do?

Imagine:

I envision pedestals of beautiful cakes, candles and luxurious linens.

*if you know who belongs to this photo, please let me know so I can give credit

I love the simple designed wedding cakes. They are my favorite!

I often think, why can’t I do that? Well my friends…I did it.

Here are the steps I took to make my first DIY Wedding Cake.

Step 1) Buy Supplies & Ingredients-

supplies

You will need:

Round Styrofoam Pieces-I was looking for 3″ high pieces but couldn’t find any so I just used two 1″ rounds to make a taller layer.  You can find these Styrofoam pieces at craft stores or even online- known as cake dummies.  You can also buy square pieces if you prefer that design.

Cake Spatula

Icing: I made Royal Icing.  It dries hard and you can add food coloring if you like.  I have heard that PermaIce and Spackle also works.

Royal Icing:

4 Cups Powered Sugar

3 Egg WHITES- No Yolks

1/2 Teaspoon of Cream of Tarter

Step 2) Arrange the Cake-

arrange

I arranged the Styrofoam in 3 tiers to gain height and then placed the Cake on a piece of foil before icing the cake.

Step 3) Combine the Powdered Sugar & Cream of Tarter-

sifting

Sift the Powdered Sugar with the Cream of Tarter.

Step 4) Separate the Eggs-

eggs

Separate the Yolks from the Egg Whites.  We will only be using the Egg Whites for the Icing.  It will act as the compound that hardens the icing.

Step 5) Mix All Ingredients-

broken mixer

Beat the Egg Whites and Powdered Sugar/Cream of Tarter on High for 7-8 Minutes.

*Beware- thickness of icing may break your mixer 😦

Step 6) Ice The “Cake”-

spatula

Keep a damp cloth over the icing so it doesn’t harden.  Use the icing as “glue” between the layers.

Crystals

I also added Crystal Sprinkles to the top layers of the cake.  You can’t really tell in this photo.

Step 7) Place Wedding Topper on the Cake-

Finished Product

I love this Bride & Groom as you probably have noticed.  Even though it technically isn’t a cake topper, I think it works.

Lovely

It is simple, pristine white and cost me $15.00 to make.  I think I have a winner.

The top tier on one of the cakes will be real so we can do the “cake cutting ceremony.”  The guests will be served dessert that comes with dinner and I will get my cake buffet.

I am looking to do more DIY Cakes with different designs so it can complete my cake buffet vision. Stay tuned!

What do you think?  Would you ever take on such an untraditional role in planning your wedding?