I am doing my first offical wedding cake Sat. They are dropping off the fresh flowers to put on the cake. How do I do that? Cover the ends w/floral tape and poke in cake? How far ahead of time can I do it?

Wilton has two products for that...

one is Fresh flower cake spikes http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=8F4FB5D8-1E0B-C910-EA7EA032AAE54B0C&killnav=1

and

Flower display cups http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=8F4E2787-1E0B-C910-EA2646B042D19F20&killnav=1

I've also heard of people using straws unless I'm confused and that was only for wire....?

I use mainly fresh flower on cakes, and have had to research this subject myself in the past. no.1 make sure they arent poisonous. 2. do not wrap in floral tape and place in cake. there is latex in the tape and if someone is allergic..well you are potentially looking at anaphalatic shock. killing the party guest is not the way to promote your business.

how are the flowers to be arranged on the cake? If scattered, then you can use posey picks, straws, stirrs etc. Or a container with wet floral foam if a cake topper. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.