I will be using fresh flowers on a buttercream wedding cake. I have been searching for info on how to place the flowers on the cake. I know the flowers are not poisonous. Is it best to use floral tubes or wrap the stem with floral tape. The reception begins at 6pm. Any thoughts on when I should deliver the cake so the flowers will not wilt? The couple wants a topper and flowers cascading down the side. It will be 4 tiers. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!!!! TIA!

I would like to know the same. I am doing a cake for a friend and the florist told me they were leaving 5 roses for me to put on the top. I asked if they were wrapped or in a bouquet and she said no ... just 5 roses.

I have never done them on the sides, but I always put a piece of wax paper under my flower toppers. I know some people use the wilton flower picks/holders but I would be afraid of putting water in it. ?? Maybe someone else can help with that.

I prefer to insert the stems of the flowers into drinking straws (I have 3 different sizes from stir sticks (I use for individual stems of greens, baby's breath, etc) to regular drinking straws (perfect for roses with a stem or 2 of greens as well) all the way up to the bubble tea straws which I can shove a pretty large cluster of flowers into.

Once the flowers are inserted I pinch the straw and cut leaving a little space beneath the length of the stems, then use a lighter and burn the edge of the straw and quickly pinch it together, making the end seal shut.
Then I insert the straw into the cake and there are no worries about the flowers touching the cake itself!

do you add water to the straws?

also -- how long will roses last out of water?

Roses hold up well, it's the flowers with thin petals like hydrangeas that wilt really fast. (Hydrangea are poisonous anyway, so don't use them on cakes!)

I just break the stems off and use a big glob of icing that I pipe onto the cake to stick flowers to the cake. If you're doing a cascade you can do this by starting with the flowers that sit on the ledge of the tier, then building up toward the top of the tier with smaller flowers so that the ones on the ledge are supporting the top ones.

I never insert stems into the cake at all, it just avoids the problem of figuring out how to do it. The drinking straw idea is a good one, though. You don't put water into the straw, the straw just acts like a sleeve and keeps the stems from touching the cake.

thanks for the help

thank you!

yep, I don't add any water (that's just asking for more issues) I tell brides that if they have flowers that MUST have water then those are just for the toppers (because they can be put into oasis) for cascades and such I don't bother. MOST flowers will hold up for a good day without water though!

AFantastic help. I am doing my first wedding cake next year for my son and his fiance wants fresh flowers, so I have been a bit nervous about it, but this sounds good. cheers

AI'm doing a wedding cake with one separated tier (bottom and 3rd) using SPS for support. I d like to know if there a way to put an oasis under the tier so I can insert fresh peonies? The bride wants a lot of flowers so that the support columns don't show but I know peonies need water! Any suggestions?:)

Try and get something like this? They are called Oasis Rings. You'd have to find out the inner diameter to check the 9" legs fit down through the centre of the ring when they are attached to the plate above, and also that it doesn't stick out the sides of the cake...

AWow! Great idea. Just put wax paper down on the bottom tier and set the ring on it? How wet do the rings need to be to provide enough moisture for the flowers? Thanks, Dayti

I am no expert on flower arranging having only ever taken one class in my life, but I think the Oasis has to be completely soaked in a sink first, then you would put it in the plastic ring holder thingy. I recall you can add more water to it once it has been soaked - you would need to do this I guess because it might dry out some by the time you've built the cake and are ready to put the flowers in, but you could use a little spouted jug/watering can that doesn't drip. I would practice first off the cake! Do you know a friendly florist who could give you some more pointers??

AThanks for the help! I think that will work. The florist is a friend of mine so I can enlist his help. I just don't want him touching the cake because of the BC:-D

AOk great. So now you just need to find a ring with the correct internal and external diameters. Good luck!