Silk flowers for our wedding cake

I used artificial flowers (I think foam) from Ling's Moments on my cake. They were beautiful (if I do say so myself - LOL!), and I was able to get the flowers to the baker a few days ahead of time and not worry about them.

We used real flowers and our florist put them on the cake for us the day of the wedding at the venue. That might be an option if you want real flowers.

View Quoted Comment Wow they look beautiful! I love the idea of not having to rush to get them to the baker and worry about them wilting.

So we opted to just have the cake decorated with flowers made of royal icing. Pretty and edible. If you opt for real or silk flowers, just make sure that whatever you are putting on the cake is non-toxic. Oils from fresh flowers or dyes from the silk may leech into the cake, and you don't want anyone getting sick.

Yes, like Crystal said, if your cake is being delivered to your venue then your baker or florist should be able to add real flowers right there at the venue. My baker let the florist decide if the florist would insert the flowers (florist did) or baker would insert the flowers.


Check the contract with your florist if you opt for faux flowers on the cake. Many florist contracts these days prohibit anyone else from providing flowers (including DIY; but excluding flowers made of frosting 😝) or require their approval for any outside flowers. This is to protect their brand in any photos that may be published from your wedding.

I made a custom order with Wedding Flowers for Rent for a cake cluster. They charged me $16 + shipping for an assortment of cake flowers that match the garland, bouquet, and boutonnière. The cake cluster will be something we get to keep while the rest of the florals need to be returned after the wedding. Should be receiving the cake cluster soon... have no idea what I’m in for... LOL but they will be flowers from the bouquet shown.

As a cake baker, I would only use real flowers if I put them on right before the cake goes to the venue (or even at the venue) so they didn’t wilt. I think silk ones will look just as great if you want the cake in advance and are worried.

You may want to speak with your florist. My florist is leaving the flowers at the venue. I would think that is pretty standard though.

We are using real flowers, but we are picking up bulk flowers the day before and will have them at our venue the day of, and catering is done on site. So they can be added at the last minute and the logistics of using real flowers is really simple for us!

Real flowers should preserve fairly well if they are kept cool (which should be done with a buttercream cake anyway). If you are just incorporating a few flowers into your design they can be kept cool and on water until the last minute and added right at the end. Unless you plan on having your cake sit out in the heat for a while or your baker has no choice but to install all the flowers the day before I wouldn't worry about it too much. If they they are well hydrated and kept cool they would be able to withstand at least a few hours before they start to wilt.

Choosing the right flowers is also important. Some wilt almost immediately or are very delicate and bruise easily with handling and some are very robust and hardy. Your florist/baker should have an idea of which flowers to use on your cake (typically the types that make good cut flowers and are well suited for use in a bouquet).

We’re using real flowers. As long as they aren’t covered in pesticides or naturally toxic (so commercially grown flowers from your florist are safe) they are fine to use on cake. I would be more concerned with the plastic/dust/etc from silks being transferred to the cake.

I LOVE the option of silk flowers. You can choose ones that look very real. I purchased silk flowers individually from Michael's and arranged them myself weeks ahead of time. I cleaned the flowers in dish soap and water before using them. Takes some floral wire and a lot of hot glue to arrange them. I used food-safe wooden kabab skewers as picks to attach them. NO last minute fuss! NO wilted flowers! NO big expense. (I paid $16.00 for all the flowers.) MUCH PRETTIER, classier arrangement since I could do it ahead of time. Truly, you'd be impressed. They look wonderful and real. I'm a huge lover of real flowers, but worrying about pesticides, wilting and ruining the cake with last minute hurrying is not for me. I LOVED the silk option.