9 Fun and Beautiful Wedding Cake Garnishes to Use Instead of a Traditional Cake Topper

Equally sweet alternatives if you're not too keen on the mini-couple!

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March 01, 2022

By: Jen Glantz

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Something Old, Something New

While there are a lot of sweet parts of wedding planning, perhaps one of the most delicious is the moment when you and your partner pick out the dessert that you want to have at your reception. For couples going the traditional route, deciding on the design, flavor, and style of your wedding cake can leave you with endless options, and a fun tasting experience to help you make a decision. As you’re planning out the details, you might want to do something a little different than a cake topper figurine and instead, pick an option that fits your personality and decor.

Want to skip a traditional cake topper and do something different? Here are 9 alternative cake garnishes that are fun and beautiful.

A Custom Sign

Perhaps you and your partner have a few words that you adore or that truly summarize your wedding day (Ex: Best Day Ever, Forever, Love, or your initials). You can work with a vendor to personalize a small sign for the top of your cake. Once the wedding ends, you can use this as decor around your house or save it for special occasions and bring it out when you have guests over.

BUY IT: Etsy, $16.78

Edible Flowers

If you’re getting married in the spring or summer and want to really make your floral decorations pop, consider using edible flowers as a cake garnish. You can search for all different styles, colors, and types of these edible flowers to add to your cake for a look that’s not only perfect for photos but delicious too.

BUY IT: Etsy, $15.00

Seasonal Dried Fruit

When you’re thinking of your cake design, you might want to go with a style that really stands out. Based on your color scheme and the season, you can top your cake with dried seasonal fruit (oranges, grapefruit, figs etc.) as a garnish that can also allude to the type of frosting or filling you choose as well.

BUY IT: Etsy, $9.39

Cake Sparkler

Looking to dazzle your guests when your cake comes out for it’s moment to shine? Add the finishing touch of a sparkler on top of the cake and have your caterer light it up before you and partner cut the first piece. It’ll be the perfect surprise for your guest and a memorable moment during the tail end of your celebration.

BUY IT: Etsy, $3.59

Acrylic Wedding Topper

If your wedding has a more modern look and feel, you can make your cake feel like part of the decor. Go with an acrylic wedding topper that you can personalize with your initials, the date of the wedding, or any other details you want to remember forever. Plus, you can use this as a great post-wedding keepsake item too.

BUY IT: Etsy, $23.75

Aspen Skeleton Leaves

Getting married in the fall or winter? You can add a magical and romantic touch to your cake by topping it with these Aspen skeleton leaves. This is perfect for a couple with a neutral color scheme and a love for the great outdoors.

BUY IT: Etsy, $3.50

Gold Glitter

Give your cake an added layer of sparkle by adding sprinkles of edible gold glitter on top. This kind of garnish is perfect if you want to make your wedding cake pop, stand-out, and truly shine.

BUY IT: Etsy, $9.89

Edible Stars

Having an outdoor wedding? If you really want to make your guests feel like you’re getting married under the night sky, top your cake off with edible stars.

BUY IT: Etsy, $9.95

Wafer Butterflies

If you want to make your cake feel like it has a 3-D element to it, add a layer of edible butterflies to the top of the cake. This is perfect for a wedding that has a fairytale-like look and feel to it.

BUY IT: Etsy, $14.70

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