This was made for one of my wife's fellow nurses who was leaving for a different position. Its iced and decorated with buttercreme with the exception of the flowers, which are piped out of royal icing. I am a retired (after 45 years) Master Decorator and worked in bakeries most of my entire career. I still decorate in the older style as its all that I know, although I have been experimenting with fondant embellishments. I only make cakes for family and friends no and no one cares for fondant covered cakes.