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When it comes to wedding cake design, there are a few things to consider when choosing between fresh blooms or sugar flowers to decorate your tiers. Fresh blooms are usually less expensive, but they have to be applied day-of in order for them to stay looking nice throughout the celebration and up until cake cutting time. Sugar flowers tend to cost more because they’re made by hand, but they can be made far out in advance and have no possibility of wilting. They can also be lighter—depending on the type of flower—so it can be applied a little more artfully.
Ask your baker if they have a recommendation for what might be better for your wedding theme or venue (an outdoor venue in the summer doesn’t always place nice with fresh flowers) and compare our favorite fresh flower cakes to our favorite sugar flower cakes to help you make your decision.
Sugar Flowers and Painted Illustrations
Amalie Orange PhotographyFrom: An Americana-Inspired Wedding at Isola Farms in Groveland, Florida
Statement Flower Cluster Without a Topper
Corbin Gurkin PhotographyFrom: An Ultra-Chic Classic Wedding at Mint Museum Uptown in Charlotte, North Carolina
Fresh Roses and a Statement Sugar Flower
Al Gawlik PhotographyFrom: A Romantic Wedding at Stonehouse Villa in Driftwood, Texas
Blush Sugar Flower Vine
Rebecca Arthurs PhotographyFrom: A Romantic, Vintage-Glam Wedding at Lord Thompson Manor in Thompson, Connecticut
Fondant Rosettes and a Matching Topper
Featherandstone.coFrom: A Romantic Garden Wedding at Lamont’s Bishops House in Perth, Australia
King Protea and Rose Replicas
Jose Villa PhotographyFrom: A Classic Wedding at a Private Residence in Barrington Hills, Illinois
Rustic Sugar Flower and Button Details
Rachel Red PhotographyFrom: A Rustic Vintage Wedding at the Farm, A Gathering Place in Candler, North Carolina
Romantic Roses
Kristopher Lindsay PhotographyFrom: A Rustic, Vintage Wedding at Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Estes Park, Colorado
White and Gold Glamour
Kate Belle PhotographyFrom: A Modern, Chic Wedding at High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia
Ombrè Blooms
Karma Hill PhotographyFrom: An Ivory and Blush Elegant Wedding at Kukahiko Estate in Maui, Hawaii
All-Over Sugar Flowers
Lovely Valentine PhotographyFrom: A Glam, Space-Themed Wedding at Woodstock Inn & Resort in Woodstock, Vermont
Modern All-White Design
Samuel Lippke PhotographyFrom: A Chic Mountaintop Wedding at Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate and Vineyard in Malibu, California
Elegant Sugar Flower Topper
Abri Kruger PhotographyFrom: An Elegant Glam Wedding at Westin Savannah Harbor in Savannah, Georgia
Pretty Pastel Palette
Silver Thumb PhotographyFrom: A Traditional, Romantic Wedding at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester Hills, Michigan
Bright Blue Tropical Orchid Design
DCPG PhotographyFrom: An Elegant, Intimate Wedding at Halekulani Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii
Small Blooms and Fruit Accents
Dennis Kwan PhotographyFrom: An Elegant Wedding at The Boathouse Field Club in Edgartown, Massachusetts
