Can I Make These Flowers??? Need Quick Opinions!
Decorating By potatocakes Updated 24 Apr 2007 , 7:37pm by honeyscakes
I have a pending order for a wedding cake on July 1st, my 2nd wedding cake ever. I'm meeting with the couple tomorrow night to go over everything, give them a price, etc. Last week the bride emailed a picture of the cake she wants, and another picture of the setup she wants. The cake is 4 tiers with scrolls, and she wants it set up like this cake, with the flowers between the tiers:
I asked if she was ordering the flowers from her florist and she emailed me back saying she was under the impression that they were icing flowers. Here's my question: How hard would these be to make from gumpaste? My gumpaste/fondant experience is very limited. I think I could probably make them with detailed instructions and lots of practice, but how long would it take to make that many flowers? Also, can anyone tell what they are? Are they hydrangeas? Just by looking at my photo gallery, do you think this is something I could do, or is it better left to someone with lots and lots of gumpaste flower-making experience? Thanks, and please feel free to be totally honest.
Oh, I also wondered what you would charge to make these flowers?
Boy, thats alot of flowers. I think you can do it, but be sure get paid well for it! They do look like they are hydreanga. I have to make some for a cake in June, although not near so many. I think I saw that they make a cutter set somewhere. Anyone else know? Good luck.
These appear to be gumpaste flowers and yes they look as if they are hydrangea blossoms. They are made with a small 5 petal cutter then cupped. Relatively easy to make. I suspect by looking at the picture they are wired then inserted into a ball of fondant to hold them. If you find it easy to follow instructions there are DVDs with very good instructions and detail. There are also books that have instructions. I'd check on this site's online store first. Definitely doable though.
It would be time consuming. I would call up a florist and get a quote for those flowers and then figure how much time it would take you to make these. You may even have to charge more. I can't remember, but I think they are more expensive than roses. Don't quote me on that though. I had a car accident and the back of my head gets a little jumbled sometimes.
definitely you can do it...but it will be very time consuming and ofcourse you might wanna have to charge alot for them.
I bet you can get silk hydreangas from various craft stores... the idea that I give to my clients is that they can keep these flowers forever...as a keepsake.
Just wash the silk flowers after using them on the cake and then the bride can use 'em for a floral arrangment for her house. I have a couple of brides who loved this idea and tell me that they love to look at the flowers "which were on the wedding cake on tha special day" 
good luck.
WOW that is alot of flowers. It will take quite some time to make all of those. Take that into consideration when you are pricing your cake. But you have a good 2 and a half months to work on them. I would give the bride a price with gumpaste flowers made by you and then give her a price without the flowers. I know she can order them from a florist and it might save her some money. Always give them a choice.
another thing to mention to the bride, for her to consider, is what will she do with all those gumpaste flowers that she paid for, when the wedding is over and done with? i guess she could make them into an arrangement, or take them to her florist to do, but all of that is gonna cost more money for the supplies. if they give one to each wedding guest on their slice of cake, then they'll probably go into the trash, since no one wants to eat gumpaste... alot of money wasted, unless she is one of the brides that has alot of money to spend on that day...in that case, it's absolutely beautiful and definitely makes a statement. i don't think that quality silk flowers would alter the style any, and would probably be less in the long run...my own small opinion, though!!!
I didn't even think about silk...that would be a great idea! I also like the idea of being able to make a lasting keepsake arrangement with them after the wedding.
Any idea on how to price these flowers???
Thanks!
I found a site that has hydrangea cutters if you still want to try making them.
http://www.cakesbydesign.cc/MetalCuttersDtoI.html
That is a lot of flowers! If you decide to make them make sure you charge enough. Perhaps you could price the cake with the gum paste flowers and with silk ones. Let her decide which way to go.
"I didn't even think about silk...that would be a great idea! I also like the idea of being able to make a lasting keepsake arrangement with them after the wedding. "
thanks. Thats what I do...I usually suggest my brides to think about what are they gonna do with all the gum paste flowers, usually when they hear about the care and the money they will have to spend on trying to get the gum paste flowers into an arrangement,they quickly change gears to the silk flowers 
It is economical and less work.
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