Buying guide for Best wedding cake toppers
The big day is right around the corner, so you’re probably going through a checklist of wedding day essentials at this point. At the very top of your list — and we’re sure it’s a pretty long one — should be a wedding cake topper. After all, if there’s one thing that you’ll end up saving after your wedding, it’s probably your cake topper.
Wedding cake toppers are more than diminutive figurines that sit atop an elegant cake. They’re also charming mementos that capture you and your partner’s romance, quirkiness, or favorite hobby. Whether you’d like to go traditional or want to incorporate a fun, personalized touch, there’s a wedding cake topper waiting for you.
Since you already have plenty of decisions to make for your wedding day, let us simplify this one. We’re sure there’s one that you and your future spouse will cherish long after the big day.
Popular themes
There’s no shortage of wedding cake toppers on the market, so you might feel overwhelmed by your choices. Take a look at these four popular categories to find a cake topper that suits your style as a couple.
Traditional
These toppers are usually in the form of two people dressed in wedding attire or intertwined shapes like intricate hearts, Celtic knots, or even wedding rings. They’re the most common choice, and their designs are versatile enough to fit the vast majority of wedding themes.
But just because these toppers are considered traditional in no way means they’re simple. In fact, they run the gamut from understated elegance to total opulence. Expect to see everything from hand-carved figurines to rhinestone-studded masterpieces.
Words
In lieu of figurines, your wedding cake topper could have words, names, or initials. They’re often made with unique fonts or calligraphy whose details photograph well. These wedding cake toppers are often preferred by couples who want to personalize details, especially if they’re unable to find other toppers they like. They’re also a popular choice for couples who have a signature catchphrase or whose names have unique spellings that are hard to find in a generic topper.
Expert Tip
Some toppers have a hole in the bottom. Use a toothpick or group of toothpicks inserted halfway into the cake to create a “post” for the topper to sit over for stability
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Comical
Comical wedding cake toppers have risen in popularity because they capture the couple’s sense of humor. These can be intimate inside jokes or tap into a funny experience well known to friends and family. Some of these toppers present a spouse being lassoed or carried away by the other.
Comical cake toppers are sentimental and playful, so if your wedding is formal, they might not be your first choice. On the other hand, they could be just what your wedding needs to add a lighthearted touch to the event.
Alternative
If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, you’ll find a wide variety of wedding cake toppers with alternative themes. Some popular choices in this category include beloved couples from books or characters from Star Wars or Disney films.
There are also some couples who forgo the conventional all together and choose something fun to put atop the cake, such as stuffed animals, silk flowers, board game pieces, or flashing LED lights. Many couples opt to create their own cake topper, which can be either unique or match the wedding theme perfectly.
Expert Tip
Write your name on the box of your wedding cake topper. If your wedding is at a venue that hosts several weddings in a weekend, it’s easier for the maître d' to keep it with the rest of your wedding décor.
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Features
Size and weight
Wedding cake toppers are typically between 3 to 7 inches high. While smaller toppers feel less garish, it’s often better to invest in a midsize or large topper. Not only are they easier for guests to see, but they usually show up better in pictures.
Most wedding cake toppers weigh only a few ounces. This prevents them from tipping over or settling into the fondant. If you’re not sure if a topper is too heavy for the cake, defer to your baker for a recommendation.
Color
Some couples choose a wedding cake topper whose colors match their wedding theme. Others opt for neutral colors like ivory, cream, or white to serve as discreet additions to the cake. A neutral-colored topper might look attractive, but its details might not show up in photographs. On the other hand, if you go for a vibrant cake topper, the color might be an overwhelming contrast on top of a more traditional cake. As a result, many couples strike a balance with a traditional black-and-white cake topper. No matter which topper you choose, make sure it will pop in photographs, including a cake-cutting ceremony in low light or candlelight.
Materials
Plastic: Plastic wedding cake toppers are generally lightweight enough to stay put, but if the one you choose isn’t well made, it could cheapen the look of your wedding cake. There are plenty of licensed wedding cake toppers, such as those from Disney, which are made with high-quality, food-grade plastics that look like stone or glass.
Metal: Metal cake toppers have a contemporary, luxurious look. You can keep it simple with gold or silver tones or take it to the next level with a topper encrusted with rhinestones or pearls. For the latter, it’s a good idea to make sure all embellishments are intact and secure prior to the big day to avoid any missing gems or rhinestones in the cake.
Wood: Wood is an incredibly popular material for wedding cake toppers, especially when many couples are exploring eco-friendly options. Like plastic, wood toppers are lightweight and tend to stay anchored on the cake. Wood toppers are also popular for personalization, as they can be carved by hand or laser cut for a rather affordable price.
Ceramic and glass: You’ll find quite a few wedding cake toppers made of premium materials like ceramic, porcelain, or glass. As expected, these fragile pieces tend to be more expensive and require gentle handling. However, they have a classic, high-end appearance that will stand the test of time on display in your home following the nuptials.
Expert Tip
If your topper is tall and thin, it may tend to fall over due to the high center of gravity.
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Accessories
Cutlery: Lenox True Love Dessert Set
Speaking of cakes, many couples use a special dessert knife and cake server for the ceremony. We like this silver-plated set from Lenox, which features elegant hearts. The pieces also come in an attractive gift box.
Champagne flutes: Vera Wang Wedgwood With Love Toasting Flutes
Every wedding includes toasts. We like these elegant and stately toasting flutes by Vera Wang, which have fine crystal stems and etched silver detail. They’re even easy to clean with a lint-free cloth and soapy water.
Wedding cake topper prices
Wedding cake toppers cost between $10 and $150, so there’s one available for every budget.
Inexpensive
You’ll find quite a few wedding cake toppers priced under $35. These include simple as well as detailed figurines and even some basic personalized pieces. Keep in mind that you’ll need to closely examine these because the quality is very hit or miss in this range.
Mid-range
These wedding cake toppers cost between $40 and $75 and include detailed pieces as well as those made by top names in the bridal industry. You’ll also find some toppers as part of wedding day accessory sets in this range, which could come with toasting flutes, cake knives, or guestbooks.
Expensive
High-end wedding cake toppers from top designers in the industry cost $100 and more. They’re usually made from premium materials like glass, porcelain, or ceramic and feature intricate detail.
Expert Tip
If your topper has fabric or paper elements, make sure those elements are not touching any buttercream on the cake exterior or they may absorb oils and discolor or collapse.
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Tips
Choose a topper that suits you as a couple. A wedding cake topper is a personal choice, so select one that brings you both joy, even if its design isn’t traditional or conventional.
Be mindful of the cake topper when you cut the cake. Cutting the cake can dislodge the cake topper, especially if it isn’t anchored. You might want to remove it before slicing.
Keep craft supplies on hand. You never know when the unexpected will happen on your wedding day, so it’s a good idea to keep basic craft supplies available in the event your topper needs a last-minute repair.
FAQ
Q. How does a cake topper stay put on the cake?
A. It depends on the design. For the most part, the toppers either have a flat bottom that rests on the cake or a pointed anchor that sticks into the cake to keep the topper in place. Because a topper with a flat bottom simply rests atop the cake, you’ll need to take special care not to rock the table or it could fall off and break.
Q. Are there any same-sex wedding cake toppers?
A. Yes, there’s a wide variety of same-sex wedding cake toppers on the market. There are also some manufacturers that sell their toppers as individual figurines, so you and your spouse can choose ones that most closely resemble you.
Q. Are handcrafted wedding cake toppers more expensive than store-bought ones?
A. It really depends on the level of detail and personalization you want. There are some companies that use laser cutters to etch your names or initials into the topper, which is a relatively affordable process. On the other hand, if you’d like someone to build a unique topper from scratch, expect to pay much more for the craftsmanship.
