5 modern alternatives to traditional wedding cake toppers

The origin of the cake topper is said to have been around a century ago, and revolves around a baker's daughter who was about to get married. The girl asked her father to create a symbol of the unflinching love between her and the groom, so he created two figurines to go on top of the cake.

Although a very sweet story, alot of couples don’t feel this centuries old tradition fits with their alternative, modern wedding. If you don’t fancy a little bride and groom on the top of your wedding cake, but still want to have something proudly adorning the top of your wedding cake, here are 5 of my favourite ideas for something a little different.

1) Cake Topper Animals.

Little plastic or wooden figurines or your favourite animals, dressed up fancy in bespoke, handmade outfits. Some hold balloons, others are dressed in tuxes - its completely up to you. For our wedding, we had little bride and groom foxes because our last name is Fox. Other clients have chosen golden alpacas, bunnies with flowers garlands on their heads and dogs in bow ties. Maybe a bit kitsch for some, but I adore them.

You can find your cake topper animals in a few different places, but I like @ticketybootopperuk @caketopperanimals and @bowbeaus

2) Fruit

If you’re having a fruity flavoured cake, top it with the fruity flavours that are in there. Perhaps you got engaged under a coconut tree on a tropical beach - have coconuts on top of your cake. Fruit is such an underrated but brilliant medium for a cake topper. Fresh sliced lemons, cascades of grapes and figs, or even whole pineapples or coconuts. For a bit of extra oomph, you could guild the fruit in gold or silver leaf for something even more decadent. The best part of topping your cakes with fruit is that the entire thing is edible!

3) Flowers

Whether sugar, dried or fresh, flowers on the top of your cake are a beautiful way to finish a modern cake. Dried flowers and grasses in particular are on trend at the moment, and they come in all shapes and sizes for all manner of looks. Check out @mamagivesyoulife on instagram for dried flower inspiration.

4) Wafer paper

The coolest and most versatile decorating tool you can get, wafer paper is fantastic for a modern cake. Wafer paper can be coloured a million ways, manipulated in to a tonne of different shapes, and can be used to print edible patterns, so the world is really your oyster. Perhaps you want to create a wafer paper ‘sail’ for the top of your cake, or perhaps you want lots of different wafer paper shapes to go around the top of your cake to create a cool geometric look. Wafer paper can do it all. For the best wafer paper inspiration, check out @malarkeycakes on Instagram.

5) Photos

If you like the idea of a bride and groom on top of your cake but not in figurine form, how about a photo of you and your fiance(e)? Perhaps from an engagement shoot or a photo that you both love from your time together. Cant decide on one photo? Have smaller photos on the top and down the sides of your cake like a collage. It will certainly get your guests talking.

Want to chat more about your wedding cake design? Have some questions? Drop me a message on my contact page and lets start making your dreams a reality.