Handcrafted: The Cure For The Common Wedding

Action Packed

Mike Leavitt is an artist, but his custom work is just a little bit different than most. He makes action figures, and what is more action packed than a wedding? With a few simple design modifications, Mike turned his action figure style into one of a kind cake toppers.

This brought to mind the Wedding Bee that was using  Han Solo and Princess Leia action figures as a cake topper. She could have commissioned Mike to turn her and her husband into the romantic duo. The sky is the limit when it comes to creating something one of a kind. Just look at the one below. 

If you are still racking your brain for something amazing to give your husband you may want to look at the section of single person action figures. Since these do not have to stand on a cake, they have jointed arms and legs just like a G.I.Joe or Spiderman action figure would. You could turn him into a pocket sized Superman version of himself

Wooden It Be Nice

My computer is doing better (I hope). I really missed posting, but on the up side I had a lot of time on my hands so my house is really clean. When I did get back to work, I had a good bit of email waiting on me. One of them was about these adorable cake toppers.

I'm not sure how, but up until now I don't think I have ever linked to a Flickr site. The Small Object's photostream is a great way to get a real idea of what this Etsy shop can do for you. Since this is a custom topper, it would be impossible to show all the the options available in an Esty shop. This is a great use of Flickr.

I'm a sucker for cake toppers with little people you can customize. There is so much personality in these little guys. You can not help but smile. This shop has me seriously thinking of starting a cake topper collection. That wouldn't be any stranger than collecting Hummel's, would it?

Just for You

One of the few regrets I have about my own wedding is that I did not have a cake topper. I used fresh flowers on the cake, which looked nice, but I really wish I had gotten some sort bride and groom to sit next to the cake. The real reason behind not having a topper was because they all looked alike and none of them looked like us. There were no cute birds or monograms, and certainly nothing like Elegana Hand Craft.

With Elegana there are two ways you can go. You can pick to turn yourself into a cartoonish couple which is adorable and fun, or you can go with the more realistic look. Either one is certain to add another level of personalization to your cake table.

The detail that Lily Tsai puts into each of these is really amazing. Everything that is special to you can be worked in. Your jewelry, your dress, and flowers are just the start of how these can be customized. It is perfect for the couple who wants something out of the ordinary.

Something Sweet

Gateaux Inc. home of some of the most unique wedding cakes ever (see photo board below), also offers a line of interesting favors. In the past I have been so distracted by the cake pictures that I didn't even bother to notice the "favour" button. They have a candy table set up to die for.

Candy sushi may be the only kind of sushi I can ever talk my parents into eating, and Gateaux's version looks amazing. I've seen a lot of favors, but I don't remember ever seeing Robin's Egg Truffles like these before. The little nests are too cute.

 

As promised, here is a little cake for you to enjoy.

Indie Overload

Etsy has made it too easy for me today. When you go to the home page, the showcase today is all wedding.  I had to pick Mykonos for sheer uniqueness. I don't think I have ever seen a fuzzy doggie (or bunny?) cake topper. It made me smile and I hope it does the same for you. The rest of the shop is filled with a sweet Victorian style that is just plain fun to look through.

Metal Works

Metal sculptures are usually cool and modern, but Gauge NYC has added in romance. The obvious choice from them is the monogram cake topper they offer, but I have a few other ideas for you.

A metal shop is not the usual spot to look for wedding ideas, but Gauge has made it obvious.  In addition to the cake toppers, they offer monogram bookends. I would love to see a cake flanked with these using the bride and groom's first initial, and then followed up with the last name initial on top of the cake.

Now here is an idea for a super creative, abstract thinking bride. Is there one word that sums up your relationship? Love, laughter, and fate, jump to my mind. Instead of basing your wedding around a color or theme, be daring and sum it up with a word. Have Gauge NYC sculpt that word for your cake, buffet table, or some other imaginative place. It is amazing how focusing on something so specific can shape the rest of the event.

 

I would love to see pictures of how you work metal into your wedding. Send me ideas. Send me pictures. I love hearing from you.

A Bird in the Hand

If you are an avid blog reader you may already know about Ann Wood and her delightful little birds. She has some really cute cake toppers, so I thought I would take my turn singing her praises.

Each bird is one of a kind and made from vintage and antique fabrics. Each also seems to have a personality of it's own.  They are certainly a unique choice for a cake topper. Ann is willing to make custom birds using your fabric. So, if you have fabric from having your dress altered, or antique fabric from your own family, she can turn it into a bird for you.

 

I love this little ballerina. She reminds me of a bridesmaid, and of my own little ballerina who is asleep upstairs.

Made For Each Other

Unless your twin sister is marrying your finance's twin brother, there is not another couple in the world that looks like the two of you when you are together. So, why is it that companies make a half a dozen plastic bride and groom cake toppers and think that it will cover everyone? Thankfully Nicole Clark knows better.

Nicole is very serious about her work. She spends hours on each of the mini-couples she crafts, and it is reflected in the end results. There is a delightful touch of whimsy to these pieces. I am especially impressed by the amount of detail she is able to incorporate in such a small space. So many of the custom bride and grooms end up being too bulky to actually place on top of your cake, but that doesn't seem to be a problem here.

Since Nicole wants to truly reflect the real you, she is more than happy to stray from the traditional. You can add in your fur babies, or even a real baby, if you have one. Uniforms, kilts,  or palm trees, nothing seems out reach for this talented artist.

Bermuda

In Bermuda the bride and groom use a tree sapling as a cake topper. The tree is planted at their home after the wedding to grow with their lives. It's a beautiful sentiment, but not very practical in today's culture, 1. because trees go in dirt which doesn't taste good with cake, and 2. because people move much more often now. Instead of a live tree I would like to suggest one of the Original Creations by Apryl.

These trees certainly will not leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth. The gemstones as leaves are a brilliant touch and a great way to work in your wedding color. After the wedding you can take this metal sapling into your new home and display it in a variety of places.  I can see it fitting in on a mantel, dining room table, or displayed with your china.

 

Accentuate the Positive

Toppers With Glitz is my new favorite find. Sari Watkins has perfected monogram cake toppers, but didn’t stop there. She also has a line of server sets and, my personal favorite, bouquet jewelry. I love watching creative ideas evolve. Some bride somewhere wanted to add sparkle to her flowers, and with that bouquet jewelry was born.

This is one site you must see for yourself because there are too many ideas to list here. There is a generous selection of colors for the top of the line crystals, and a wealth of designs to pick from. These can be wonderful keepsakes to treasure long after the flowers have dried and the cake has been eaten.

Don’t be afraid to ask for a custom design. On the Custom Work page Sari showcases some of the more unique requests. I had some questions about the process, so I called the toll free number listed. Sari was more than happy to walk me through it all. She was friendly and her love for her work really showed as it does in each and every piece she makes.