Edible Arrangements: What Kind of Flowers Go on a Wedding Cake? Everything You Need to Know
If you’ve ever spotted a wedding cake topped with a riot of colorful blooms and thought “Ooooh, I need that,” but “what kind of flowers go on a wedding cake?” you’re in the right place.
Floral wedding cakes are the ultimate way to bring personality, color, and a fresh-from-the-garden vibe to your big day. But not all flowers are cake friendly, and some are better than others for that sweet edible arrangement centerpiece moment.
At Urban Marigold, we’re big fans of bold color, local blooms, and a little creative rule breaking. So whether you’re dreaming of a simple wedding cake with flowers or a full floral explosion, here’s our guide to the best cake flowers for weddings. We’ll cover which real flowers are safe to use, how to arrange them, and why sourcing locally makes your cake and the planet a lot happier.
We sourced locally grown zinnia, delphinium and ranunculus to decorate this wedding cake.
Can You Put Real Flowers on a Wedding Cake?
Short answer: yes. Long answer: as long as they’re non toxic, pesticide free, and ideally organically grown. We always vouch for real flowers for wedding cakes that are either edible or taped and safely separated from the cake surface.
We love incorporating edible flowers like pansies, violas, calendula, chamomile, and especially nasturtiums. Nasturtiums aren’t just beautiful, with their bold jewel tones and quirky ways, they’re also edible, have a subtle peppery bite, and look like a total color explosion on a white buttercream cake.
Our Favorite Flowers for a Wedding Cake
Here’s a quick cheat sheet of the flowers for a wedding cake we love using, based on season, color palette, and style:
Nasturtiums – Local, bold, edible. A plus for cake drama
Spray roses – Classic, delicate, and available in nearly every color
Chamomile – Sweet, dainty, and perfect for understated or garden style cakes
Cosmos – Dreamy, airy, and adds movement
Ranunculus – Offer a softness, and romantic flower vibe
Zinnias – Colorful and joyful, perfect for a summer wedding
Dahlias – Big impact blooms that bring a bold enery
How to Choose Wedding Cake Flowers
Choosing the right wedding cake flower arrangement is a mix of art, color theory, and floral intuition. Start with your color palette and build from there. We love to color block our cake designs, piling up tonal blooms like raspberry zinnias, apricot nasturtiums, and coral color ranunculus for a modern, eye catching look.
If you’re going for a simple floral wedding cake, even one or two perfectly placed blooms can make a big impact. Cake flowers for weddings don’t have to be over the top to be stunning.
Local grown nasturtium and jasmine decorate this wedding cake.
Why Local Flowers Make All the Difference
We’re all about supporting local farms and using seasonal flowers grown right here in Southern California. Local flowers look fresher, last longer, and help support our community of growers. Plus, they help us get our hands on vibrant varieties you won’t find just anywhere, like our beloved nasturtiums.
So if you’re working with a wedding florist in Orange County or beyond, don’t be afraid to ask where the flowers are grown. Local is always better.
The Best Wedding Cake Flower Trends Right Now
Want to know what edible arrangement is trending? Here’s what we’re loving:
Floral clusters on each tier using bold seasonal blooms
Wildflower cake vibes with a just picked look
Edible flowers sprinkled across the surface for a garden party feel
Floral wedding cakes that match the bridal bouquet or ceremony arch
The wedding cake flower nest. This one’s a total showstopper. Picture a sculptural nest made of flowers and foliage cradling the base of your cake. It creates a lush garden-like setting around your cake and makes it feel like a true focal point.
Locally grown delphinium, ranunculus and wax flower adorn this wedding cake.
Helpful Tips and Questions to Ask Your Wedding Florist About Cake Flowers
Not sure where to start? Here are a few helpful tips and questions to ask your florist when planning your floral wedding cake moment:
Tips:
Always confirm that flowers going on or near your cake are non toxic and pesticide free
Ask your baker and florist to coordinate on timing and placement so the flowers are fresh and food safe
Consider using edible flowers for an extra magical touch
Match your cake flowers with your bouquet or tabl-escape for a cohesive look
Keep in mind the season, some flowers won’t be available year round, especially local ones
Questions to Ask About Wedding Cake Flowers:
Which flowers are safe to use directly on the cake?
Can you source any of these flowers locally?
Will you place the flowers on the cake or provide them for the baker?
What’s in season around our wedding date?
Could we do something more unique like a flower nest or color blocked tiers?
These conversations help avoid last minute stress and make sure your wedding cake ends up looking just as dreamy as you imagined.
Whether you're dreaming of a simple wedding cake with flowers or a full floral masterpiece, Urban Marigold is here for it. We are experienced Orange County wedding florists specializing in creative, colorful floral design that reflects your vibe and helps tell your story. From cake flowers to installations to bouquets, we bring a little extra joy to every bloom.
