Wedding Cake Toppers - Avoid These Common Mistakes

A wedding cake is one of the most important aspects of the entire day, and one that gets photographed quite a bit, so of course you'll want to make sure you avoid the usual mistakes made by brides-to-be when it comes to choosing a wedding cake topper.

Here are the three most common and how to avoid them:

1. Not Matching Styles

Your wedding cake's topper should complement or subtlety enhance the cake but not take away from its beauty. The cake topper should also be reflective of the wedding's theme, if any, as well as the overall formality of the event. An intimate gathering of a few loved ones will call for a smaller, simpler cake with a topper to match while a grander affair with hundreds of guests will naturally need a much larger cake

You definitely won't want a topper that's too small and dwarfed by the top of the cake, and alternately, you won't the topper to be so large that it dwarfs the cake itself, making it appear smaller or less glorious in some way. Also, keep in mind the actual weight of the topper before falling in love with one as those that are too heavy will sink into the cake or possibly topple it over.

Wedding cake toppers made of heavier materials such as porcelain and resin and some types of glass will need to be firmly and safely anchored down into the cake.

2. Forgetting the Budget

Many couples make the common mistake of forgetting to add all of those finishing touches into their budgets, like the ever important cake topper. If cost is a concern, be sure to take the time to find the best deal possible instead of wasting precious money, but also allow yourself to choose the cake topper that you'll love today and years from now while fondly looking at the photos.

Although keeping your budget in mind is important, you won't want to skimp too much on the cake topper as the cheaper varieties made from plastic inevitably make even the best and most gorgeous of wedding cakes somehow seem less so.

One option to consider is using one, or both, if available, parent's wedding cake toppers to save money as not only will this be a nice touch using a family heirloom and paying tribute to their marriage, but it will also fulfill the "something old" and "something new" tradition we all love.

3. Remember Your Creativity

Never feel you must follow tradition in every single aspect as you can certainly add other embellishments to the top of your cake, or cakes as many have more than one tier, to personalize this important part of your wedding day. If the usual doves, bells, hearts, or bride and groom figurines just aren't your style or simply aren't appealing to you, tap into your creativity and consider one of the numerous other options available.

Do you and your future spouse share a love for a certain hobby or special interest? Did the two of you meet in a certain city, a certain time of year, or perhaps under unusual circumstances? Because of the great number of cake toppers made today there's a great chance you'll find one that reflects the two of you and your union perfectly.

And, while tradition definitely has its place, it's your wedding and completely your decision, so don't worry about being different as the more unique touches your wedding reception has, the more memorable it will be for both you and your guests.