Welcome to the ultimate wedding topper guide. Hi! I'm Ange, and here you will find all there is to know about wedding toppers and figurines! If you've stumbled across this blog--lucky you! I've written this blog to inform, inspire and help new brides like you in choosing the right topper for their wedding! You may be wondering to yourself--how does someone know so much about wedding toppers? Well the truth is I didn’t have a clue before my own wedding day. In fact, would you believe I had to do my own research—in my own spare time?! Why..that’s a crime against a bride you might be thinking! Well, alas it’s true. But what’s more zany is that all this research was done after my wedding. Let me explain…at first, I didn't think much about wedding toppers--it just wasn't a priority of mine, so I left it until the last moment--Big mistake! When it was time to shop for cake toppers, I was suddenly bombarded with a huge assortment--ranging from standard plastic mouldings to quaint little themed ones. You could say I felt a bit overwhelmed. In hindsight I should have given more thought to the cake topper I really wanted instead of sticking to second best which I ended up with. It wasn't that the topper I chose was absolutely hideous, but the fact that I didn’t really pursue the best topper I could have found was the thing I regret most. And ever since then, I’ve become almost obsessed by them. When I first embarked on the quest to find a wedding topper, there were literally hundreds of websites selling cake toppers, but no websites that provided any helpful tips on buying one. One thing’s for sure, there was certainly no ‘ultimate cake topper guide’ web page to help me find the right topper for me. So Here I am a newly wed with an obsessive compulsive disorder towards cake toppers…ha! That may be the case, but my true aim is to give you all some important tips, opinions, and give you all a list of the best ones I could find. By doing so I hope to have provided you with some great information to help you along the best moment you shall ever remember.
Note: The below information is based on my sole opinion only. I acknowledge that great time and effort have been invested into making a cake topper, and I do try to give constructive criticism in all of my expressed opinions. |
THE TOP 15 BEST WEDDING TOPPER LIST
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| #15 |
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| Swarovski |
$40 - $225 |
monogram |
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| You may have seen these toppers by Swarovski. They're what I call the ‘lazy bride’s’ cake topper-LOL!. I’m familiar with this one because it’s the one I bought for my wedding day. If you're not keen on spending too much time in choosing a topper, then a monogram topper might be for you. It caters for all a bride’s needs in a wedding topper; It's sparkly, looks expensive and glamorous. It’s really an easy topper to buy—all you need to do is order the initials and size that you want. When I look back at my own wedding though, that’s all they ever became—sparkly initials on my wedding cake. Sure, they looked good on my cake and looked really appropriate for a wedding, but if I had another chance I would buy actual figurines. Still worthy to be in my top 15 though! |
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| #14 |
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| Boogie babys |
£49 pounds |
clay |
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| I can't stop smiling at these toppers!. These were stumbled across while I was browsing on etsy.com—what great treasures you find on that site—and this is no exception! The style is obviously very caricature in nature, and I think it works well here. They’re so amusing and cute—the character design is great, if you like the cutesy baby look. I think they’re fab! |
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| #13 |
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| These are great looking figurines by Tybinc. The caricature style is very appealing, one of the better caricature styles I’ve seen. They provide a range of different detail-level options, but the fully customized versions don’t have the tackiness the semi-cusomized version do, so I'd recommend the full features only. The facial expression is well done and detailed quite nicely by the creators. |
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| #12 |
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| Captured in clay |
$500 |
clay |
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| These are really stunning looking caricature toppers. The design and craftsmanship is very well done and they capture the personalities of the bride and groom really well. The level of detail is super, especially the face and hair. They also provide a special animal option too ($125 extra), for those who have pets, or if you need some kind of special props to express your hobbies, they also provide them too! |
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| #11 |
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| Top this toppers |
from $1200 |
clay |
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| I really love the caricature style of this topper. The level of detail is fantastic and overall mood and personality of the bride and groom is captured perfectly. There’s a lot of flare to these toppers that I’m sure a bride would be interested in. These are definitely not cheap though, but there are several different topper styles to choose from if realism is not your cup of tea—they have more cartoonish and stylized options—ranging from $600! |
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| #10 |
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| Rebecca Russell |
from $375 |
clay |
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| These are very charming looking toppers! The style is reminiscent of classic 1950’s look which I really adore. The attention to detail is quite well done, especially for the attire. The style gives out a sense of grace, and lacks the tackiness that many customized toppers are known for. The photo with the dogs is so adorable! |
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| #9 |
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| Thumbprint kids |
$2800 |
clay |
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| My eyes widened when I first saw these toppers—they are really quite realistic looking, and very nicely crafted. But my jaw dropped when I saw the price tag on these--$2800! Wow! I don’t think my wedding dress cost half as much, LOL. In any case, these toppers do really deserve to be in my list purely based on the design and detail. These are the only few personalized toppers I’ve seen that are anatomically proportional. They do have a typical classic American topper look I find which makes the style very recognizable. If you don’t mind the price, then you should definitely consider these fab looking toppers. |
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| #8 |
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| Feats of clay |
from £130 pounds |
clay |
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| I really love the designs of these toppers, especially when it comes to the facial structures of the bride and groom. They have a kinda ‘baby face’ look to them which find very adorable. The color combination is really excellent and the overall style give out a very cutesy look. It may be only me, but I find the eyes a bit ‘alien’ looking, as if they are from the planet mars and having their wedding here on earth-LOL! |
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| #7 |
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| Weston's super models |
£195 pounds |
clay |
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| These toppers by weston’s are quite realistic and have a certain charm about them. The facial expressions are done well and the overall craftsmanship is exceptional. I find the level of detail in color and gown patterns really excellent. The photo of the couple on the snow board just made me chuckle all day. This is one of the better personalized topper you would find out there. |
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| #6 |
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| Totally toppers |
from £90 pounds |
clay |
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| I started giggling with joy when I first saw these. The character design is quite strong and visually pleasing. In fact they just stand out as cake toppers. I really like the cartoony features of this particular style and are one of the more better in terms of caricature design. The colors and smooth texture look is very lush. Great toppers! |
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| #5 |
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| Willow tree |
from $30 |
resin |
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| I really like these toppers. They're different from the rest as they have no facial features! But I think this is the point as the toppers radiate a calm, romantic quality that is present in all weddings. These toppers are the best for describing the symbolic nature of a wedding and I think the embrace is an obvious gesture as a symbol for love. These sentiments may not appeal to every bride, but I'm sure the price tag on these make it a real temptation. I do think they are a superb looking topper. |
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| #4 |
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| McDermitt studios |
from $500 |
clay |
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| Wow, these are very, very realistic cake toppers—one of the most realistic I’ve encountered. I think they are fabulous at capturing the mood and personality of the bride and groom—which is the whole point of buying personalized toppers in the first place. Facial features are very well done and the gowns and attire are very intricately crafted. The renaissance photo is superb! One thing I should mention though, is that I think the skin tone looks a bit pale, especially for a themed occasion such as love and weddings etc…But overall the design is excellent. The price tag is high however , as you would expect for realistic-looking toppers. A great topper to buy if realism is what you’re after. |
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| #3 |
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| Precious moments |
< $75 |
porcelain |
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| These are sooooo cute! Maybe a little too cute—well, at least for a wedding anyway. They remind me so much of those Japanese anime characters. I confess—I went a bit naughty and bought these when I first saw them(which was after my wedding day). They’re really quite small, so I don’t think you can get away with putting them on a really large cake. But the character design is heart melting and are perfect for those of you who are looking for a cutesy, lovey, I-want –to-start-kissing-everyone cake topper. |
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| #2 |
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| Michelle's sugar art |
£395 pounds |
clay |
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| These are one of the most beautifully well done custom toppers I’ve ever seen. They are quite stunning visually and the creator has really done a good job in capturing personalities. The facial features—especially the eyes are really great. Also the skin tone is done right and has a rouge tint. Great attention has been given to the gowns as well. There’s a certain charming quality to these toppers which make for a great topper. Obviously a cake topper like this comes with a hefty price tag. Starting from £395 pounds, the price range is probably beyond reach for most brides. If you want nothing less than an accurate portrayal of you and your partner, then Michelle’s sugar Craft is it. Wow! |
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| #1 |
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| winner! |
| French icingtons |
from $147 |
sugar paste |
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I fell in love with these the instant I saw them. They are simply breath-taking, and absolutely the most perfect wedding toppers I’ve ever seen. They’re called French icingtons and are made entirely out of sugar paste! Wow! For such an iconic design, they really do give out a quality of elegance and charm. I must confess to buying these ones also. And the thing that I noticed the first time I opened the box was the sweet sweet smell—just like sugar ha! These are beautifully made and the style gives out a classical tone, but in a unique sort of way. I think the design oozes out pure style, class and elegance. The people in France really do set the standards in weddings. I highly recommend these to any new bride looking for a superb cake topper that will look good on just about any wedding cake.
Different types of wedding toppers
There are different types of toppers out there for a bride to choose from, and I've narrowed them down to the5 most popular: Plastic moulds, clay, porcelain, sugar paste, and monograms.
Plastic moulds have been around for decades and believe it or not are still popular today. They are a very affordable topper and are usually bought by couples who aren't too fussed about the look as long as it is appropriate for their wedding. There are numerous varieties and styles, but all have the same 'one size fits all' characteristic. They cannot be altered or customized in any way and are bought off the shelf at very affordable prices. Upon browsing many wedding retail sites, I frequently see 'humor' type styles and the like, hobby enthusiasts and toppers of the erotic nature --which demonstrate their vast scope . With all the great custom toppers out there though, it's really hard for a modern bride to opt for these anymore. However, if you genuinely love the look of a particular style, and fits your cake perfectly, then I do recommend buying them.
Although Porcelain toppers are also not customized, they have a different aesthetic and appeal. You'd often see many antique toppers are of this kind. Antique toppers are a niche topper and you'd still see many sellers and buyers on ebay. You'd often find that porcelain toppers have been handed down from generation to generation--giving them a unique symbolic characteristic. If you are fond of the 1920's or 30's look, then you should definitely give some thought into buying vintage porcelain toppers.
Monograms have made their mark only recently and have become a popular type of topper for many brides. They consist of initials (usually the bride's and groom's) made of platinum colored aluminum and lined with crystal jewels. There are different combination and styles you can choose from off the shelf--including size, crystal colors, and letter fonts. If you're really feeling glitzy and glamorous, you can customize the look of them and increase the number of crystals for a more sparkly showcase. If figurines aren't your cup of tea, then Monograms can be a very good substitute.
Clay toppers are all the rage today. They are synonymous with customized or personalized toppers you see plastered all over wedding sites. An engaged couple would usually send close-up photos of themselves and also the wedding attire to the sculptor. The sculptor would then use a type of 'polymer' resin, and the material is modeled into shape and then cooked at high temperatures in an oven to allow them to harden. The final stages are paint and or varnish. As you would expect, the quality range also differs from sculptor to sculptor--some are made by professionals, while others look amateurish. Interestingly, I see many 'customized' toppers are in fact only 'semi-customized', meaning that only the head is modeled to your likeness. The torso is pre-made to cut down on production time. As a rule of thumb, the more realistic the topper, the more expensive it is to produce because of the laboring costs.
Sugar paste toppers have been around for a long, long time and have a more traditional and 'classic' appeal about them. They are made with a special type of sugar that hardens once dry and can last for more than twenty years depending on the quality of sugar used. Its versatility make it an ideal substance for custom made toppers. In fact,sugar paste toppers are regarded as being the original 'customized' topper. Colors are not painted on, but instead mixed into them resulting in a unique look, giving them lush and vibrant hues. Sugar paste toppers take the longest to produce because of their soft and delicate nature, and their long drying times. Aesthetically, sugar paste has a natural, organic look and therefore it usually goes well on any wedding cake, since all cakes are made of sugar too. Sugar paste toppers are a great choice for any bride, although you may have a hard time finding sugar paste sculptors on the internet(check out French icingtons above).
Things you must consider when choosing a topper
Choosing the right topper can be quite demanding, since there are a lot of varying designs, styles, and materials. Ive come up with what I think are some important questions you should consider when you are looking for a wedding topper:
Do you like the look of it?
This is probably the most important question you should be asking yourself, because the best topper is the one you like the most and the one you will not regret buying.
How does it look on your wedding cake?
A lot of brides forget about this important question. Whether or not a topper looks great on a web page does not mean it will look great on a wedding cake or in particular your wedding cake! Will they match or will they clash? It may sound like a superfluous issue, but for those of you who are the type of bride that has to oversee every little detail of a wedding such as color schemes and such, this will probably hold true too. Also think about the weight and size of the topper you buy. Most toppers I've seen are around 5 inches in height. But if your wedding cake is 6 feet tall and towers over everyone, it would make it pretty hard for any of the guests to get really close and notice the realistic-looking topper you paid $400 for. I'd also be careful about heavy-looking toppers--one which may cause a dip on your cake especially if your cake is soft and spongy. Remember, the wedding cake is one of the most photographed objects at a wedding, so it would be wise to make sure your toppers are very photogenic as well!
How much does it cost?
With all things wedding, cost is a big issue for most brides. Toppers are no exception. Most brides do have strict budgets, and I can understand the trepidation when shopping for a wedding topper--they can be quite expensive. But here's the positive thing to remember--a great looking topper does not have to cost you the earth and sky--you just have to search for them! Take a look at my top 15 list--six of them cost less than $150! Generally speaking, customized toppers are the most expensive, but that does not necessarily mean they are the 'best' or have a better design than a non-customized topper. In fact, cost has little to do with the design or beauty of the topper--I've seen really hideous toppers that sell for over $500! In most cases, you pay a premium on customizing or personalizing a topper. Add to that, the time spent on the production process by the sculptor. This is really what makes the 'bulk' of the expense. Tip: A lot of custom sculptors require a 50% deposit that is not refundable, so make sure you have made the right choice in topper before committing.
Can you obtain the toppers before your wedding day?
Depending on the demands of the sculptor, custom toppers require at least a couple of weeks or months notice. It's possible to ask for a 'rush order', but that will add a substantial amount in costs, not to mention added pressure on the sculptor to produce an excellent outcome in such a short time. It's best for a bride to really plan out exactly what she wants in a topper and order them as soon as possible.
Tip: Some custom toppers are not made on a 'first come first serve basis'. Some sculptors give priority to wedding dates, which means that your topper will not be worked on until a couple of weeks before your actual wedding day. If this seems too close for comfort, then just give your sculptor an earlier (thus fake) wedding date!
Does your topper contain toxic paint?
This might sound like an absurd question, because I don't think any sculptor would be silly enough to use toxic paint on their products, but I would hate to think that any toxic stuff could spill onto a bride's wedding cake. Always clarify this with your sculptor.
Aren't all custom toppers tacky and kitsch?
This is a very hard question to answer. In my opinion, I think the concept of having a replica figurine done of yourself is a pretty tacky and self absorbed thing to do--LOL! In any case, when custom toppers are done well, I think that the end result is visually pleasing. I think the perception of 'tacky toppers' stems from the fact that 99% of customized or 'personalized' figurines are caricatures of the bride and groom, and not 'portraits'. Some brides have a problem with this, which is understandable--after all, why on earth would a bride want to portray herself with an over-sized head?! In most cases, I've come across some hideous, tacky and cheap 'n nasty looking toppers out there. But the ones that weren't, were truly amazing-looking( just take a look at my top 15 list). And as a rule of thumb, the bigger the head the more tacky the topper! Tip: If you really have a problem with this, just ask for your custom topper to be as anatomically proportional as possible--but not too proportional that it will make your butt look big!
Handling your wedding topper
How fragile is your topper? Although customized toppers are solid once dried, there can be tendencies towards breakage, especially with more delicate and thin areas such as arms, legs, joints and neck. This all depends also on how the sculptor chooses to represent the bride and groom in their pose. If for instance, the bride's arms are positioned wide open, then there could be a higher chance of them breaking off. If you're really concerned, then you can request to have your toppers to be made with a more traditional pose such that the bride and groom's arms are placed on their sides. It's always a good idea to handle toppers at their base or other wider areas such as the waist. Be sure your sculptor provides adequate padding and cushioning when delivery is concerned and don't be afraid to ask for extra. Remember, if such breakages occur--whether accidental or through transit, you will most likely not be reimbursed and all you will be offered is a quick-fix way of attaching the broken pieces with glue!
I hope you found this guide helpful! The Ultimate Wedding Topper--written and researched by Angela Armani. Information about weddings, cake toppers, clay toppers, personalized toppers, French icingtons, sugarpaste, brides, icingtons figurines, polymer clay figurines, sculptors and more!
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