Wedding cake topper ideas

By Wedding Offshore Team

A cake topper gives your cake a focal point and a bit of personality. The right one is in proportion to the cake, sits securely and suits the rest of your table. This guide covers the main styles, how to match the size and shape to your cake, and what to ask your baker before you buy.

Decide what the topper should say

Think about the feeling you want, because that narrows the choice quickly.

Formal or classic. Simple lettering or a neat arrangement of flowers.
Playful. A figure or an object with some humour.
Personal. Initials, names or a date that mean something to you both.
Natural. Fresh or dried flowers, greenery or a small bundle of grasses.
Minimal. A small, plain piece that lets the cake itself take centre stage.

It helps to look at your invitation, your flowers and your table styling, and choose a topper that repeats a colour or shape from one of them.

Cake topper ideas by style

Initials or monogram. Letters in wood, metal or acrylic. Easy to read from a distance and quick to match to your stationery.
Names or a short message. A word or two, written or cut out. Keep it short so it stays legible.
Mr and Mrs, or similar wording. A classic choice. Check that the wording suits you both before you order.
Figures. Two figures standing together. Look at the size, because small details can get lost on a large cake.
Flowers and greenery. Fresh, dried or artificial stems placed on the top tier.
Geometric or modern shapes. A simple outline or frame that suits a clean, minimal look.
Hanging or draped pieces. A garland, ribbon or bunting across the top or down the side.
No topper. A cake with decoration around the base or a single flower can look complete without one.

You can browse our cake toppers to compare materials, sizes and styles.

Match the size to the cake

Proportion is the most common problem. Check these points:

Measure the width of the top tier, not the base.
Choose a topper that sits comfortably inside that width, leaving a margin around it.
Think about height. A tall topper on a small cake can look top heavy, while a very small topper on a big cake can disappear.
Check whether it is a flat piece, which needs a stick or support, or a standing piece that sits on its own.
Ask the seller for the width and height of the topper, and compare them with your cake.

If your baker has not decided the size of the cake yet, ask for the top tier width and wait until you have it.

Check how it will be fitted

A topper must sit securely and be safe to put on a cake. Ask your baker:

Whether they are happy for you to bring a topper, and whether they want to see it first
How it should be fixed to the cake, and who will place it
Whether the topper can touch the icing, or needs a layer between it and the cake
Whether the topper is the right weight for the top tier
Whether any part, such as a wire or stick, needs covering

Tell your baker about the material too, such as wood, metal, plastic or fresh flowers, and ask whether it needs any preparation. Do not assume that a decoration made for display is suitable to touch food.

Think about the cake table

A topper works alongside everything else on the table. Check:

The stand. A topper and a stand should look related. Our guide to wedding cake stand ideas covers sizes, heights and styles, and our cake stands range lets you compare.
The background. A busy background can hide a delicate topper. Stand where the cake will be and look.
The light. Metal and acrylic reflect, which can help or hurt in photographs.
The colours. Repeat a colour from your flowers or stationery rather than adding a new one.
The cutting. Decide who will remove the topper before the cake is cut, and where it will be kept afterwards.

Keep it afterwards

Many couples keep their topper. Ask whether it can be washed, and how to store it. If you plan to keep fresh flowers, ask your baker or florist how to remove them, and whether they should be discarded.

Keep the cost down

Choose a simple shape or wording rather than a detailed figure.
Use flowers or greenery from your arrangements, if your baker agrees.
Make a topper yourself from card or wood, and test it on a cake of the same size.
Check the full price, including delivery, before you commit.
Pick a topper you can reuse, such as for an anniversary.

Next steps

Find out the width of your top tier, choose a topper that fits inside it, and ask your baker how it should be fixed. Then check the stand, the table and the background before you order.

Asked and answered

Do I need a cake topper?

No. A cake looks complete with flowers, a ribbon or a clean finish, and it is up to you. A topper is simply a way to add a focal point.

How big should a cake topper be?

In proportion to the top tier, with a clear margin around it. Measure the top tier and compare it with the width and height of the topper.

Can I put any topper on a cake?

Check with your baker first. Some materials need a layer between them and the cake, and the weight and fixing need to suit the top tier.

What do I do with the topper afterwards?

Many people keep it. Ask the seller how to clean it, and store it somewhere dry and safe so it is ready for an anniversary.