Wedding Cake Toppers — A Great Way to Carry Your Theme
In the 50s, everyone knew what a cake topper was: a kitschy bride and groom, smiling at their future in formal clothes. These same delightful dolls still make the scene. Some couples even have the honor of re-using their parents or grandparents' toppers!
And while it's true that many of the sleek cakes you see in magazines go topper-free, unless you count a graceful cascade of orchids, a fondant bow or a half dome of roses, many couples still want a visual reminder that the cake's about one thing: themselves, tying the knot.
So sure, their choice might be more streamlined or stylized than the 50s model, but it's still the same romantic reminder (which later doubles as a keepsake).
Ultra-Popular Toppers
Rumors of the cake topper's demise will always be premature! Here are some of today's most popular toppers:Classical Toppers
Nostalgic and sweet, these lace and ceramic toppers feature familiar figures like lovebirds and doves, swans and hummingbirds, hearts and wedding bells, arches and butterflies ... or Precious Moments figures. Not to mention the more literal human figurines, which might be waltzing, embracing, or carrying (the bride).Humorous Toppers
They still engender occasional "tsk tsks," but humorous toppers ... in which a determined bride "hooks" a groom or drags him back to the altar ... have a loyal following, and you can find ones that reflect favorite pastimes like fishing, golfing or hunting.
Interracial or Ethnic Toppers
Ethnic bride and groom figurines are important to many interracial couples, who enjoy our modern ability to place African-American or Hispanic figures on a cake, thus representing their unique union — and their families', too — in a visual way.
Occupational or Pastime Toppers
The, there's a healthy contingent of couples who, while fully feeling the seriousness of the event they're planning, want to inject the day with humor and personality. Many who serve the nation in some way (such as marines or navy members, firefighters, doctors or nurses) are enthusiastic about reflecting this in their cake toppers. Others, eager to create a low-key vibe, turn to pastime or personality toppers, like Harley-Davidson, NASCAR, Western-theme, camo, fishing or four-wheeling.
Family Toppers
Reflecting an important trend in bringing children from previous unions into the ceremony, family toppers that include the couples' offspring are becoming more popular by the year. To pull off a custom resemblance, they're often made-to-order with FIMO or gumpaste.
Fantasy Toppers
The cake topper plays a major role at a fantasy wedding, and you'll often see fanciful creations like pumpkin carriages and castles, favorite Disney characters like Mickey Mouse or Cinderella, medieval lords and ladies, or even dragons.
Beach Toppers
While many beach cakes go without toppers and simply feature a few exotic blooms or chocolate seashells, others sport a cake topper of miniature palm trees, or a cute set of Adirondack chairs.
Monogram Toppers
Monograms have been key players in the evolution of cake toppers, helping nudge the wedding cake in a sleeker, more personalized direction than we saw in, say, the 60s.Often made of chrome or wood, sometimes left sleek and spare and other times coated in colored crystal rhinestones, these toppers are an elegant way to customize the event (and double as a pretty keepsake) while still blending with a chic cake design. Some couples choose a single, large letter; others choose the traditional three with middle being the largest.
Cake Jewelry
But whether it's a glittery tiara filled with velvety roses or chandelier crystals dangling from a crystal cage, cake jewelry is so good at saying, "look at me!", it really needs to go on top of a pretty splendid cake to avoid overwhelming it.
Trade Notes on Toppers!
Found a cool topper, or hunting high and low for the perfect (yet elusive) one? Let us know below ...
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I’m looking for a cute cake topper. I had seen what I’m looking for once but forgot to bookmark it, and now can’t find it. It was a bride and groom they sorta looked like precious moments, but I don’t think they were. They had there wedding attire on and they were standing on the beach barefoot. If anyone knows where I can find something like this I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
Christina
:(( William and I are having our wedding in June and just can’t seem to find the right topper for our wedding cake. We are having a medieval wedding, I will be wearing a Tudor gown, and he will be dressed as a cavelier, complete with sword. We need something to match and are having the hardest time finding something! Help!!
Kerrie
I have been looking for a homorous white bride and black groom but i cant find one. all you see is both being white/black/etc. if you know where i can find some please let me know.
I have been looking for ages for monogram cursive letters to use as a topper for my engagement cake in brushed steel and when I do find them, they are available from US websites who do not ship to Australia.
Can you please help out a very stressed out bride to be?
looking for wedding cake topper of the groom catching a baseball in one arm and the bride in the other arm ????? HELP!!! if you know where we can look of one please e-mail us A.S.A.P
My friend is having a mafia themed wedding and I am looking for a cake topper to match. Does anyone know where i might find one?
I found a cake topper that had the groom catching a baseball with one arm and catching the bride with the otehr. Does anyone have any idea where I can find that. I am in dire need!
Thanks,
Melissa
Lindsay:
I found these inexpensive air force toppers on ebay ($15 and $45). If this isn’t really what you wanted, check back there because I’m sure other designs pop up from time to time. Good luck!
link: air force toppers
I am getting married to someone in the Air Force. We would like a military cake topper, but all the ones I’ve seen online are really, really expensive. Does anyone know where I can get a fairly cheap one? I would just like it for the groom to be wearing an air force uniform and the bride in a wedding dress.
Hi Carly! Hope someone can find exactly what you’re looking for … I think that would be adorable!
In the meantime, you know you can get any of a hundred FIMO artists to craft something custom, if you like that look.
If not, I ran across this photo of a bride and groom fishing topper that looks like it was made out of, well … dolls. With articulated arms and legs and some fishing props. Just a possibility that you could easily turn around, gender-wise. But maybe it’s a ‘real’ topper you can get somewhere, not sure. At any rate, it makes me think that some one with craft skillz could make a cute one.
I would like to have a cake topper like the one with the wife fishing and catching the husband. But I would like it to be the other way around for me and my honey. It took him awhile to catch me and it would have special meaning behind it not to mention a good laugh for those of us who really know us.. What I want is the man fishing catching the woman. can anyone help or tell me where to go. Or maybe of a place I can get one made
I’m doing a casino theme wedding and I’m looking for “casino” cake topper. Does anyone know where I can find a topper that looks like a slot machine?
When I think of Hawaii, I think about lush greens and tropical flowers.
Orchids!!! Don’t know if you have a color theme yet, but vibrant shades come to mind- there is a gorgeous green orchid accented with fushia - maybe start with your color theme and you will be able to go from there!
Donna Tortorice-Masse
I have seen a topper with a bride, groom and a little boy. But now I can’t find it! Help!!!!
Hi Samantha!
Try the website of magicalday.com , They have a wonderful cake topper with a bride and groom under a palm tree that I ordered for my son’s wedding cake!
i am having a tropical wedding and the reception is a hawiian luau
i can’t find anything that might fit in with the theme for the wedding cake. i’m a pastry chef so making and deco. the cake is not the problem. it’s finding an idea. can you help.