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The Whole Works
By Louise Baltruschat Hollis
Photos by Matt Moore Photography
You have put so much thought and effort into your wedding cake design and flavours. The last thing you want is a boring or unattractive cake stand.
Some wedding cake designers offer wedding cake stands for hire with their packages. But, if you don’t have that option or like their offering what are your alternatives? In this article, I am going to share some ingenuous, unique and totally attainable wedding cake stand ideas.
Whether you have a budget for an extravagant stand or are looking for a free stand for your cake. I have you covered!
Photo: Joshua Rhys Photography via Old Barn Wedding
Before we dive in, let’s get practical. What qualities do you actually need from a cake stand before you make your choice?
There is no point in having the prettiest stand in the world, only for it to collapse and mean your cake is destroyed. You will also want it at the correct height so everyone can see it beautifully against any surroundings.
Plus, this is a top must-have. A cake stand must be hygienic! It could be that you have a simple cake board beneath your cake, before placing it on your dream cake stand for example.
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A cult classic, the log slice has been a go-to for rustic weddings globally. Whether you pick up a free log slice from a tree surgeon or buy one, there is a lot of choice.
Photo: Photography34 via North Yorkshire Barn Wedding
Elevate your log slice stand to add more height with sweet legs.
Photo: Grace Elizabeth Photography via Iridescent Sequin Wedding Dress
Wire stands are great as you can see through them to give the effect of more space. Plus you can get one in an array of colours and heights.
Photo: Kerry Diamond Photography via Boho Greenery Barn Wedding
Go simple and chic with a plate cake stand. You may have a special plate you can use or your venue could lend, alternatively source your own to keep post-wedding too.
Photo: Gem Hicks Photography via Apricot Wedding Ideas
For smaller cakes consider a dipped bowl-like cake stand.
Photo: Gem Hicks Photography via Apricot Wedding Ideas
OK, perhaps not technically a cake stand, but these epic flowers create an illusion of a special stand.
Photo: Gem Hicks Photography via Apricot Wedding Ideas
Make or buy a specially crafted wooden box stand. The great thing about a box stand is it has a multitude of uses after the big day too.
Photo: Natalie Coultas Photography via Love Shack Wedding
Hoop cake backdrops with integrated stands have become very popular. They add the wow-factor to simple cake creations to become a real centrepiece.
Photo: EKR Pictures via Bohemian Luxe Wedding Ideas
One for flower lovers is the magnificent flower moon gate cake backdrop. If you are green-fingered you may just be able to recreate yourself or ask your wedding florist to put one together for you.
Photo: Captured by Katrina via Ultra Violet Wedding Ideas
If you are having a doughnut wedding cake rather than a traditional tiered cake, a donut wall is for you!
Photo: Rebecca Carpenter Photography via Hoop Decor Wedding Ideas
For a log slice stand on another level, quite literally, make or buy a tiered number!
Photo: Kat Mervyn via Whimsical Boho Woodland Wedding
For cupcakes, what better way to display them than with a wire cupcake holder?
Photo: Patrick Partridge Photography via Fairoaks Wedding
Cake boards are cheap and readily available. Perfect for simple and chic cake tables.
Photo: Louise Barry Photographer via Pumping House Ollerton Wedding
Rather than using flowers, hop on the pampas grass trend for a stylish way to amp up your cake stand.
Photo: Daniel Ackerley Photography via Chippenham Park Wedding
Use what you already have! Scout your venue for a tree stump which may just make the perfect spot for your cake.
Photo: Vicky Plum Photography via Pet Wedding Ideas
Furniture can be a great option to use for a cake stand, stools or side tables are ideal. Look in charity shops or at car boot sales for bargains.
Photo: Lola Rose Photography via Beach Boho Wedding
Buy yourself a hamper basket to use for a natural boho cake setting. Imagine those newlywed picnics too!
Photo: Holly Rose Stones via Naked Tipi Wedding Ideas
Acrylic cake stands can make for a really modern and cool style.
Photo: Sam Sparks Photography via Industrial Wedding Ideas
Put together some tall wooden pillars for a spectacular reception room centrepiece.
Photo: Oilvejoy Photography via Elopement Wedding Ideas
Cake swings can look amazing! Be sure to find a safe, stable spot for yours. Some stands you can buy have a base attached, or you could hang to a tree for a nature-inspired cake stand.
Photo: Liz Baker Fine Art Photography via Brympton House Wedding Ideas
Macrame is the go-to for bohemian weddings. Add macrame hangings from your cake stand or embellish your cake with one.
Photo: Tom Jeavons Photography via Woods Wedding
Silver cake stands are going to be expensive. So it’s best to hire, buy or borrow from your venue!
Photo: Kerry Ann Duffy via Greatest Showman Wedding
Glass is a classic cake stand idea, simple and elegant.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Northamptonshire Barn Wedding
Create a Narnia-inspired cake stand by hiding your cake in a cupboard or wardrobe.
Photo: Laura Coughlan via Silver and Blue Wedding
If you have an attractive velvet chair at home, why not bring it along to use as your stand?
Photo: Steph Kiely Photography via Purple Winter Wedding Ideas
Vintage suitcases stacked up can look really beautiful, especially when surrounded by flowers.
Photo: Nicola Dawson Photography via Great Comp Garden Wedding
Scout your venue for a rustic garden wall to use to display your cake.
Photo: Andrea & Federica via Italian Villa Wedding
Find a cute metal or ornated table top for a stand-out cake display.
Photo: Gina Fernandes Photography via Navy Gold Wedding Ideas
Tall metal cake pillars really allow a cake design to shine.
Photo: Sugarbird Photography via Cherry Blossom Wedding Ideas
Upcycle an old chest of drawers to use as a stand. Keep drawers open to allow for additional decor too.
Photo: Stephanie Dreams Photography via Woodland Wedding Inspiration
Hexagon cake stands can add an extra modern element to a cake display.
Photo: Indigo and Violet Photography via Autumn Festival Wedding Ideas
Pile up your favourite books for a literature look. If you are looking for more stability, you could source old books and glue them together.
Photo: Sanshine Photography via Tortworth Court Wedding
Perhaps you have a beautiful dressing table? Use it to full effect with the mirror reflecting light and creating a sense of space.
Photo: Katherine Ashdown Photography via Barnston Lodge Wedding
Metal trays as cake stands are not only pretty but may just make a cake easier to transport.
Photo: Honey and the Moon Photography via Titchwell Manor Wedding
Marble effect worktops have been huge in kitchen designs, so marble-style cake stands are sure to look the part.
Photo: Aurora Grey Photography via Modern Pink Wedding Ideas
Using a clear box as a cake stand is ingenuous as you can display decor underneath your cake too!
Photo: HBA Photography via Dunchurch Park Hotel Wedding
Perfect to hire, a rustic wooden barrel ideal to use as a cake stand.
Photo: Wyldbee Photography via Elford Hall Garden Wedding
A wooden board can be a perfect cake stand, especially a bespoke customised board.
Photo: Sasha Lee Photography via Hide Sheffield Wedding
Black cake stands look chic, especially with dark and moody colour schemes.
Photo: Becky Wright Wedding Photography via Non-Traditional Wedding Ideas
Commission a custom crate wedding cake stand, or find a free crate and personalise yourself.
Photo: Gemma Giorgio via Cream & Blush Wedding
Metallic cake stands will work well with most colour schemes and add a touch of glam.
Photo: Photography By Petrina via Moon Wedding Ideas
Use rattan place mats or buy a rattan cake stand for a boho beautiful style.
Photo: Helen Rose Photography via Dusky Pink Taupe Wedding
For something a little different, a branch cake stand may be just perfect for you!
Photo: Joasis Photography via Snow White Wedding Inspiration
A mirrored cake stand is a classically beautiful way to hold a cake, plus it will reflect evening lighting wonderfully.
Photo: Elena Popa via Greece Destination Wedding
Glass bell or dome cake stands look stunning and will protect a cake too.
Photo: Margherita Calati Photography via Greenery Lake Como Wedding
Peacock chairs have been really popular at weddings of late and make for a striking stand idea.
Photo: Storyteller Photography via Garden Greenery Wedding Ideas
Lego fan? Why not build your own cake stand from Lego?
Photo: Honey and the Moon Photography via Alternative Lego Wedding
Slate is a beautiful keep-sake wedding cake stand option. Plus you can write on them with chalk which is ideal for cake labels.
Photo: Chantal Lachance Gibson Photography via Scottish Wilderness Wedding Ideas
Milk churns are a fun way to display a cake creation.
Photo: Tora Baker Photography via Celestial Cowshed Wedding
Get yourself a wooden ladder or two to create a bespoke shelf cake stand.
Photo: Lorena Erre via Mountain Wedding Spain
A cable reel can make for a really special wedding cake stand with all the rustic vibes.
Photo: Kazooieloki Photography via Rustic Farm Barn DIY Wedding
There are so many ways to display and hold a wedding cake. Here are some unique and fun ideas:
A wedding cake will need to be placed on at least a cake board for hygiene reasons. But beyond a cake board, a cake stand is not necessary.
You could simply pop your cake on a table. However, if you’d like to create a centrepiece to your reception room and add height, a cake stand is a great idea.
Yes, a wedding cake base or stand needs to be bigger than the cake itself. It doesn’t need to be vastly bigger, but it should never be smaller as the cake could get damaged.
So there we have it, you now know what attributes your cake stand needs to have. Plus you have tons of cake stand ideas and answers to your burning cake display questions! Yay.
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