So this is the inspiration cake I am doing for my son's wedding. We are going to do it with an 8" single layer top, 10" regular tier, and 12" double barrel. Like the picture but minus the bottom double barrel. They want me to do the "happily ever after" banner, but situated properly on the tiers. I've never done a banner this big before and need some help, if anyone can give me some tips. The questions I have are:

1. It looks like it's all one piece in the picture. I'm thinking it's going to have to be pretty thick in order to keep from breaking. Do you think a 50/50 blend of gum paste and fondant would work?

2. How the heck should I transport this thing? I've got to drive it about 10 miles over a slightly bumpy road with potholes to get it to the venue. I'm not too concerned about the cake itself, as I'll be using SPS to stack it. But I'm thinking I'll add all the little doodads (which are all toys made of plastic/metal) and the banner once I get there. But since the banner will be curved, and huge, how can I get it there without it breaking?

3. How do I attach this monstrosity to the sides of the cake without it falling off during the ceremony? 

Any tips would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

this is a little rambley but there's just so many different ways to do it and those produce a dozen rabbit trails each --

8x10x12 is good -- the top tier is smaller in proportion to the second tier than that -- if you're fine with that great -- otherwise use a 6" or a 7" on top --

i think cake making is about creating an illusion -- you could do the banner in pieces and just fold the edge of one over the end of the other to create the illusion of continuous if you want -- because if  you do continuous you have to flip it over to make it look vintage before applying to cake or all that stuff will get all over the cake unless you're covering the cake in fondant -- then you could protect/cover the cake with a waxed paper barrier and color the banner after applying -- 

let's see when would be the best time to put that banner on? hmmm -- i think i would do modeling chocolate and fondant combined -- i would want to use a brown edible ink marker but they can be tricky if humidity is going to be an issue and 10 miles over potholes means a nice cold cake so that can lead to humidity issues if the cake is not boxed-- 

50,000 variables here --

so i would do a test on banner material to be sure my fridge does not produce too much moisture that will make the marker run -- or if you're just piping/painting it you could do it after you apply the banner to the cake at home before delivery -- i definitely would deliver in a nice thick box  -- all climate controlled -- you can make the box now in fact --

re: the banner -- what does "situated properly on the tiers" mean --

i avoid gum paste for something like this so people can eat the banner more enjoyably if they want -- and besides having a little give is a good thing in this case --

you can place some toothpicks under the bottom rim of the banner to hold it in place during delivery -- should be fine if all is nice & cold -- remove after delivery-- or you could just conceal a few toothpick tips with a little blossom flower too --

but i would make both sides of the banner 'vintage', apply it to the cake, then do the lettering -- before delivery -- because it's too ticky to lift it off dummy cakes the same size as the cake and place it on the cake -- i'm a nervous wreck just considering it -- and you need some emotional strength left to be the mog --

and of course your banner will be much more concise -- tighter, smaller -- and that's gonna be your salvation too -- that it's smaller  

i'd go with medium thick -- not too thick or thin

Even though your posts are rambly, they make a lot of sense! I didn't really notice that the top is smaller but I think you're right. I think smaller would look better but their topper will just barely fit on the 8" so I'm going to stay with that, I think. 

The banner being situated properly means that it won't be as stretched out as it is in the pic because there's one less tier, so it will be a little more compact. I like the idea of doing it in pieces and folding edges under to hide the seams. I had originally planned to transport it in two parts; the double barrel in one and the 8" & 10" in the other, and putting them together when I got there. But the banner puts a kink in that, I think. I'll have to play around with materials and see. I am not sure if I'll have enough fridge space to put it in there stacked all of a piece... 

You've given me a ton to think about! Thanks so much! :)

awesome and you're welcome --

you could also use a couple well placed popsicle sticks to keep it from sliding --

that's only about 13" tall -- my sister has a side by side fridge and i fit some whonking big cakes in there -- you have more room in there than you think-- whip out the racks and ditch some leftovers -- don't buy any groceries either -- or have an ice chest ready to unload the fridge overnight -- i often use a 'fake' bottom board so that i can use/make a smaller box to store and haul the cake around in --then i just place it on the plateau or bottom board on site -- i just use thick foamcore for the 'traveling' bottom board -- and if you have your box made in advance -- you know everything will fit --

trust me you want to have all the ticky stuff completed before you go to the rehearsal dinner usually held the night before -- too much emotional energy is being spent to waste any stressing on a cake --if all you have to do is call for carry out in order to entertain any out of town guests it's well worth it to have peace of mind about the cake--  

also especially important is you want back up-- i would not let my husband be in charge of any other errands or anything-- he was all mine -- you need to have someone to rely on to be solely on your side day of -- 

best to you!

Thank you! 

The banner need not be in one length....but 3 pieces perhaps, with the joins carefully concealed. For example... on the top right hand of the second tier... and to the left hand side on  the and top of the bottom tier.

Hope this helps!

Margaret393 

y'know what messes me up on this banner? not the wording but the banner itself starts out backwards doesn't it? at the beginning --it should roll from left to right no? the 'and they lived' part should flow down from the right end --not the left -- then go into the swoops down to add in the rest but it seems to be applied right to left first -- so that it continues down from the left end -- 

but it's no matter over all but one of us is backwards 

I just wanted to post the finished cake for those of you who helped me so much to figure out all the details for this cake. It turned out wonderfully and got rave reviews. Thank you all so much! :)

did a great job -- you rocked it, mom! so happy for you -- it looks great

@rockymtnbaker  Great Cake!  They must have been overjoyed to see this beauty made by their Mom.  It's always so encouraging to see the follow up on something like this, thanks for posting and sharing your photo.

Thank you! It tasted great, too.