Bespoke Designs

This page  shows step by step photographs of a wedding cake topper being put together, so that customers can see the process of making and the work involved.
These toppers are bespoke items and are limited availability due to the work and time involved in making each one.
Prices will vary, depending on the work and detail involved and all are all priced individually on receipt of customers requirements via e-mail.
Please e-mail Kathryn using the website contact button, if you would like further information on bespoke toppers, whether it be for a Wedding, Birthday, Engagement or other special occasion.
 
Further cake toppers which aren't classed as bespoke items are currently listed for sale at a set price in the Cake Topper Menu which is linked from the category menu to the left of this page.
 
 

Stage 1:

Here is the first step of making up the cake topper.
We start with a basic wire framework.
The wire has been cut to size and then twisted and bent to form a very basic 'stick man' type body.
 
Here we have the very first steps of a Groom and his Bride.
 

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Next we totally coat the wire with a special tape.
At this point the whole process looks a little odd, but it forms the shape of the body and a framework to build upon.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Stage 2:

 
Now we start adding clay to the basic wire framework.
During stage 2, we just build up more and more clay around the framework, gradually smoothing as we go.
At this stage, the torso and legs are formed, but teh arms and head are not added. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here you can see how the clay has been smoothed as it is added and the shape of the torso and legs are being formed.
There is still a lot of work to do , but you can already see how the body shape is coming on.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You can see how both the basic bodies of the bride and groom have now almost taken shape. A little more finishing off will see this stage complete.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Stage 3:

 
Both of the figures now have their main body shapes and have been fired in the oven. Although they still look a little strange, it is at this point that I begin to dress the figures.
 
This photo shows the bride and the start of her dress.
You will see big changes over the next few photos, as the outfits continue to be added. The finer details are included at a later stage, however you will see how the outfits are built up onto the figures, just like dressing a doll in new clothes!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The bride now has the first layer of her dress and the groom has his trousers.
There is absolutely no detail on the dress at this stage and more layers are to be added, as I begin to build the style of the dress.
 
You will notice that I still haven't added the arms or heads of the figures, they will be applied a little later.
There are many cake toppers on the market and each artist has their own way of working. I believe that there are no set rules and work to a program that suits my style. Many artists don't use wire frameworks for example and make their figures just from clay, they may also begin with the upper body or head as a starting point, whereas I usually start at the bottom and work my way up! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Now I have added further layers of clay to the brides dress and you can see the design of the dress forming. There needs a little tidying  up and smoothing to be done, but you can now see the dress taking a little more shape.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is a back view of the brides dress.
You can see how layers have been added and folds are created as a train is added to the back of the dress.
For now, the dress will be left alone as I work on the grooms outfit a little more.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I now begin to add the clothing to the groom figure. I have started with a basic shirt (no collar as yet) and have then added a waistcoat.
I have embossed the clay to look like a slight pattern effect on the waitcoat.
Although much of the shirt and waistcoat will not be seen once the jacket has been added, I still add a complete garment as though the figure is being dressed properly!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Stage 4:

 
Once again at this stage, the figures look a little odd!
I am back working on the bride again now as both figures have once again been fired before this stage progresses.
Here I have begun to add the arms of the bride. The one to the right of the photo has had a little more work, as it has been shaped and smoothed some what, where as the left arm which is sticking out, is yet to be shaped.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The grooms arms are the next to be added. Once again the arm to the left shown here needs to be shaped and smoothed as I have started on the right arm. They are then positioned before firing again.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I have now set the arms in the position that I want them to be set. I have mesured the height and position by matching with the bride as seen in this photo.
I have also now added the collar to the shirt, lapels to the jacket and details such as buttons, buttonholes, creases etc.
Once the arm positions on both the bride and groom have been set, the pieces are both fired again, before I begin to add the heads, which is the next stage.
I will be completing the groom before adding the final detail to the bride.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Stage Five:

 
The first step to the head is to add a shaped piece of clay to the wired neck that has been visible from the start of the building of the basic framework.
I have also added a pair of ears.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Now I begin to add the hair of the groom. I gradually build up in layers until I am happy with the shape of the style.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Still a little bit of final adjustment needed, but the groom now has a big smile, his eyes and eyebrows have been added and a little colour applied to his cheeks.
at this stage I also add the cravat or tie, and the floral buttonhole.
Once I have made the final adjustments, the groom will be fired one more time.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here I have added a lump of clay to the neck of the bride and have formed the head shape and ears.
I will now begin to add the hair and style it as you will see in the following photographs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A view from the front, no face has been created yet as you can see.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here is a view from the right side of the brides head. Soft curls have been added. I will be adding some pretty hair accessories a little later.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here is a view from the left side. The next step will be to add the simple facial features and then we are on to the next stage.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Stage Six:

 
The facial features have now been added to both the bride and groom, although you can't see them in this back view!
The pair have been linked together by means of a small oval base. The brides train in this case, also acts as a base to the topper.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here we can see the bride and groom from a side view. You can also see where I have added a decorative plaque to the front of the base which will have the bride and grooms names and wedding date added right at the end.
The bride has also been given her bouquet of roses and cornflower sprigs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This photo shows the flowers in the bouquet and on the plaque in a little more detail.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Now we can see the bride and groom from the front view.
The pair have been fired for the last time now and extra little details have been added such as the tiara in the brides hair.
 
We now move on to the final stage which is adding the last areas of detail to the figures.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Final Stage:

The brides dress in real life has an embroidery and beading design on the bodice and the skirt of the dress. I have therefore handpainted a design using different paints and added a beading effect and some sparkle!
You can now see this in the photos of the final stage.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You can see from this side view that I have added tiny crystals to the brides hair, as well as the painted embroidery and beading effect to the skirt and train.
 
We are now almost complete.
I just have to add a veil and the bride and grooms names and wedding date to the plaque!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The veil has now been added, although this can be removed if required as it is attached with a non permanent glue.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Although the plaque doesn't show the names of the bride and groom in this photo, they have now been added and the cake topper dispatched to the customer.
Hopefully I will be able to add a photo of the topper in situ on the actual wedding cake in the near future.
 
Below are some more photos of a wedding topper where the bride is in a full skirted gown.
There is also a closer view of a bouquet.
 
I hope that you have found my step by step bespoke design section interesting. Please feel free to e-mail me with any comments!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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