Do I need to hire a wedding cake stand?
Depending on who is making your wedding cake, you may or may not need to seek out a wedding cake stand for your wedding cake.
Many wedding cake makers have an array of wedding cake stands. Some hire these out. Others may not.
If you are lucky enough to have a wedding cake maker who has offered to hire you one of their stands, this will be a job nicely ticked off of your to-do-list and definitely one less worry.
Does my wedding cake need a wedding cake stand?
In a word no, but in many cases, putting your wedding cake on a stand will certainly elevate your design.
Many venues have a stand that you can borrow or hire, but do ask to see the stand before assuming it will be ok – different stands suit different designs.
Venues’ stands are often the traditional silver plinths, which although may suit some designs, don’t suit all, especially the contemporary designs. They can also be very big and if your base cake isn’t the right size, it can end up looking very small and lost.
Where can I buy a keepsake wedding cake stand?
Looking to purchasing a wedding cake stand, so you can keep it as a keepsake after the wedding? Here are some points you will need to consider to ensure you keep your cake safe on your big day.
Generally, most of the cake stands on the highstreet are only designed for a single tier cake. Many will not take the weight of a 3 tier wedding cake or a 4 tier wedding cake and higher. Even a 2 tier wedding cake could be at risk on a standard highstreet bought cake stand. When looking for a cake stand for a wedding cake, you need to know it will take the weight!
Wedding cakes weigh a lot more than people realise. A standard 3 tier wedding cake can weigh around 15-18kg, if not more! It is so important to do your research and purchase the right stand for the job.
Mosser Glass cake stands are the most popular and traditional stands on the market. These are timeless! The 10” stands are designed to take up to 18kg and the 12“ stands are designed to take up to 34kgs of weight. (Although Prop Option do state that they cannot guarantee these figures).
For a more contemporary look, Prop Options have The Stiletto, which comes in a gloss white finish and a matt black. I have both available for hiring to my couples. (The white version shown in the main header image of this blog). These stands are designed to take up to 40kg in both the 10” and the 12” versions.
If you choose to go with something different, then make sure you do the weight test. Pile the weigh onto the stand to check for its sturdiness. Make sure it has no wobbles and leave it overnight, just to make sure.
Is the Cake Stand Level?
Although you would assume so, don’t take it for granted. Many are not and a wonky stand will result in a wonky cake. The taller the cake, the more obvious this will be, even if it’s only out of level few millimeters.
Does the colour of my wedding cake stand matter?
YES! Most definitely!
The colour of the cake stand can be the one element that ties the wedding cake design into the rest of your wedding decor and/or enhances your design.
The cake stand is just as much a part of the overall wedding cake design as the cake itself. Therefore having a cake stand that compliments and enhances it really is important. This is so often a detail that is overlooked by the couple when working with their wedding cake maker.
This silk white ruffle design here is a perfect example. We could have opted for a traditional white wedding cake stand – the most obvious choice. However, by choosing the contrasting black cake stand, it allowed the cake design to stand out more and enhanced this understated stylish design. It worked so well with the surroundings.
Wedding cake stands to create dramatic height and drama
If you don’t need a large wedding cake but still want height and drama, a tall cake stand is one way of adding exactly that!
Whilst wanting to add height, it’s best to look for a subtle design so it doesn’t take over the whole cake design. It needs to compliment and elevate, but not take the eye away from the main focus – being your wedding cake, itself.
These examples below demonstrate how a stand’s height, structure and colour can add so much more to a wedding cake, without overpowering it.
When does my wedding cake NOT need a wedding cake stand?
Not every wedding cake needs a cake stand. So how will you know if your cake needs one or not?
If you are unsure, speak to your wedding cake maker. Remember, you have chosen them because you connected with, and adore, their work. All good wedding cake makers will know if your design will be best with or without a cake stand. However, if you are still unsure here are a few secarios that can help you decide.
If your wedding cake is extremely tall (generally 5 or more tall tiers), putting it on a cake stand, may end up looking too much. Unless you really do have ‘the bigger the better’ in mind, then your design is likely to look equally as good without a cake stand.
In my option extremely tall cakes are best suited to the traditional plinth style cake stands (those ones I mentioned right at the beginning of this blog, that many venues hire/lend to their couples).
Equally, a tall weddubg cake directly onto a pedestal style table works amazingly! No need for a stand there!
But there are still times when smaller wedding cakes will work well without a cake stand, if the styling and/or surroundings is right. This design is a perfect example. The couple sourced their own concrete tray (whilst keeping me informed so we could make sure it was suitable and the sizing was right). I think it worked perfectly and really suited the whole aesthetics of the day.
A job ticked off your wedding planning to-do-list
If your wedding cake needs a stand and your cake maker has the perfect one for hire, then it is defintely worth it, for peace of mind, if nothing else! The hiring charge is often very small. You will, however, need to arrange for the return of the stand back to your cake maker, within the time frame stipulated. Some may offer a collection service, for an additional fee, so it’s work asking.
Failing that, designating a person to return it for you, if you are going to be away on honeymoon, is a great idea and so worth it!
If you have found this blog useful, you may like to read my 5 easy, inexpensive, ways to showcase your wedding cake. Click below to read now.
Some of the cake stands featured Prop Options
Cover image (cropped by Sue Hurst Cake Design) and last image: Shaun Peters Photography
2nd image: The Vedrines
6th image: Captured by Roxy
All other images by Sue Hurst Cake Design
Who is Sue Hurst – Wedding Cake Designer in Essex
Hey, I am Sue! I am a wedding cake maker in Essex, specialising in modern and bespoke wedding cakes in Essex, London, Suffolk, Kent, Surrey and beyond. After 12 years of cake making, my business has changed over the years, until I found my biggest passion – weddings.
I absolutely adore everything about designing and making wedding cakes. From getting to know my couples, right through to setting up their dream cake (quite often a design they would never have dreamt of before their journey with me).
Having the honour of being a part of such a special day in my couples’ lives, is something I never undervalue.
My blog posts about weddings cakes in the South and South East England are based on experience and aim to help you plan your dream wedding.
