How to Choose your Wedding Cake Topper and Make Your Reception Shine by Jeanette Shinn

There was a time, not too many years ago, when having a wedding cake without a wedding cake topper was unthinkable. Back then toppers ranged from quaint to cute and beyond to wild. Most toppers in that era were made of plastic, though they certainly weren't limited to plastic. In fact, artisans from a wide variety of backgrounds often made cake toppers to order, often coming up with stunning works of art to crown the artistic masterpiece that is your wedding cake.

Nevertheless, most wedding cake toppers were plastic so over time it was not uncommon to find a wedding cake without a special topper. Why? There are probably quite a few correct answers but ultimately, I would like to suggest, it came down to a matter of tastefulness.

The lack of quality was, no doubt, one reason. The ebb and flow of trends within society is clearly another. Whatever the reason, brides often chose a simpler topper. Often it was fresh flowers. Sometimes the bride chose to skip the cake top all together and let the cake stand alone.

Great New Options in Wedding Cake Toppers

Today, wedding cake toppers are coming back, and with a vengeance. But today's toppers are far superior to the plastic things that sat on our parent's cakes. Cake jewelry accented with swarovski crystals come in the shape of monograms, numbers, photo frames, bows, crowns, and flowers. Other cake toppers come in crystal, porcelain, acrylic, and a wide variety or finished metals.

Sometimes the wedding cake topper is something the bride commissions the pastry chef to create out of royal icing, fondant, or gum paste to ensure that the topper is integrated into the artistic design of the cake.

Regardless of what you choose to top the cake with; whether it's a monogram, fresh flowers, a gum paste flower or bow, or some beautiful or whimsical creation by a local artisan, take the time to ensure that your wedding cake topper is the perfect finishing touch for that special cake you've commissioned for your big day.

Consult with Your Pastry Chef

The danger is the universal reality that placing a piece of art on top of another and much bigger, piece of art runs the risk of diminishing both the cake and the wedding cake topper. You can avoid this, of course, by considering the design of your cake and topper as one unit like you would the decor in your home. View it as a single piece since that is how your guests will see it.

Likewise, take advantage of the resource that is your pastry chef. Their experience, artistic eye, and demonstrated attention to detail should be able to guide you as you choose your wedding cake topper - in the end you'll be glad you made the effort.

Author Resource: Jeanette Shinn is a wedding professional with over a dozen years experience making dreams come alive. Find more great ideas for your wedding and wedding cake accessories at http://www.ExcitingWeddingFavors.com.

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