Wedding Cake Stands: What You Need To Know

What are wedding cake stands, and why do I need one in the first place?

It's simple: a wedding cake stand is just the stand (or pedestal) that the wedding cake sits on. At virtually every wedding you've ever been to, the cake was resting on some kind of stand. If the stands were well-done, you didn't even notice them. But if they weren't there at all — well, let's just say that would be a problem!

In past generations, the fashions in wedding cakes included having a "topper" on the cake. That's the little model of the bride and groom that you might see in old movies or pictures. These days, though, that's a little passe. If there's a topper at all nowadays, it's more likely to symbolize the couple's relationship or to suggest their shared interests. In the old days, the wedding cake was pretty important, but most people were happy with a pretty standard setup.

But not any more! Contemporary weddings and wedding cakes are a whole different story. The news is full of brides and grooms taking great pride in designing the most memorable event, striving for perfection in every detail. That, of course, includes the cake and its stand. Today's trend in cakes is to be edible masterpieces. The cake is expected to be the centerpiece of the reception. Modern couples take wedding cakes to a whole new level with stunning designs, not to mention gourmet flavors!

And the photographer! Pictures around the cake are de rigeur. It's not only the centerpiece of the reception, it's the central focus for all the photos too! Yes, that cake and its supporting stand will be recorded for all posterity! And you know what that means. The cake and stand must be the best! They must be elegant and lovely. They are at the heart of the wedding experience.

But after the wedding and that perfect reception, we have to return to the world of bills, don't we? So we have to make everything not only as perfect as can be, but also as affordable as possible! If you're starting to feel a little pressure now, surrounded by all this anticipation, planning, floral design, invitation lists and other details, don't worry. It's normal! Pretty much everybody is overwhelmed at this point.

So there you are, in the middle of all the other mini — and not so mini — projects, putting all that time and effort into the cake. So many questions and decisions! It's easy to overlook, until late in the game, the need for a cake stand! So how do you pick the right one?

One of the first questions that comes up is the stand's style. Cake stands come in a plethora of designs. It's really up to your creativity, tastes, planning needs and budget. Stands can be found in almost any material: glass, ceramic, gold, painted wood and plastic. They come mirrored, black, standard, or customized. The plateau (or platter) can be decorated, unless it's so pretty it doesn't need it. The stand can even be a plank of wood wrapped in aluminum foil. There are zillions of looks and colors. One brand actually has a standard Art Deco option.

The size range is smaller, but still takes some thought. Typical sizes run from 12" to 22". 13" to 14" is pretty common. All in all, selecting wedding cake stands is a lot like interior design. It's complicated, arcane and probably calls for expert help.

Once you settle on a style that matches everything else, you are thrown back upon financial practicalities. Should you buy or rent? Is there a rental fee for tiers or separators? How much will you spend on the stand? There are folks ready to drop $200 or more for it, while others think $100 is too steep. You may stumble across a solution for $50 to $60. Enterprising souls can even find a DIY solution.

Then there are those of us who want a more stylish look than DIY can reasonably provide, but who still manage to economize. You might ask if your baker will rent you one at a discount, since you're already paying for the cake. A baker may actually loan you one for free! Your venue may do the same. Failing such lucky breaks, you'll probably have to pay full price to rent or buy a stand. Welcome to even more adventures!

About now, you may begin to realize that a good stand is hard to find. If time is growing short and you're at a loss about where to search or buy, a natural reaction is to panic. When you're new to the whole wedding scene, as most of us are, how are you supposed to know what to do when a company refuses to rent out-of-state and won't let you simply purchase a stand? Certain size and style combinations may be rare. You might be shown an older-style silver stand and have the inescapable feeling that it's just "too typical."

What can you do? If you're desperate, you might try an inverted cake tin with decorations. Or fortune may smile upon you and arrange for you to receive a stand along with the cake from an expert who knows exactly what you need.

In the end, if you've tried everything and you still can't find the right wedding cake stand, it may be time to ask an expert for help. The Web is loaded with resources, and there are many companies to choose from. It's just a matter of linking up with that special source. You'll undoubtedly find one that fits the bill. Keep your head up and best of luck!