As you decide between dramatic red velvet or traditional white butter, it may not occur to you that the majority of cost for your wedding cake isn’t based on flavor. If you want a decadent dessert that’s covered in sugar flowers or hand-sculpted lace, it equals to hours of labor on the cake decorator’s part, spiking up the price for you.
For couples who are on a budget or DIY-minded, a wedding-worthy alternative is adding your own embellishments. At the online boutique Signe Sugar, designer Sarah Foote creates elegant sugared accents, ranging from cake crowns to gum paste hearts and fondant lettering to leaf borders, turning even the most simple confection into an ornate affair.
The elaborate crowns are $150 and made from organic meringue powder, organic powdered sugar and water. The designs come in ivory or a customized color, and look lovely nestled on top or stacked between tiers. The hearts (ranging from $24 for a 6” cake or 30 cupcakes to $40 for a 10” cake or 50 cupcakes) add a touch of whimsy as a cake border or cupcake topper and come in a variety of color schemes. For a fall flavor, the leaf border ($75) can be made in any custom shade, while a collection of individual sugar flowers ($38 for a set of 15) instantly enhance. Want a monogram design? The fondant lettering ($3.25 per character) adds a personal touch, and Foote is currently experimenting with a wide variety of fonts, from playful panache to sophisticated chic.
