Brides: are you having an outdoor wedding? Do you need to protect your wedding cake from the elements (and worst of all… bugs)? You’ve come to the right place. We received this recent Ask Emmaline question from bride-to-be, Sara, who says, “Hi, Emmaline. I am getting married outdoors this summer and will have my wedding cake on display. How do I protect it from the elements (like dirt, bugs, and leaves) without it looking tacky?” Great question! After spending money on your gorgeous cake (and having it made to perfection), the last thing you want to do is have to cover it up. For outdoor weddings, though, it’s important to protect wedding cake from the elements. Read on to see four surefire ways to protect wedding cake outdoors without stripping it of its loveliness…

Protect Wedding Cake: 4 Easy Tips

There are a few steps you can take to protect your wedding cake outdoors. Here are a few of our favorites.

1. Put a Lid on It.

Place your cake under a cake dome. This works best if you have a small one-tier cake. If you’re having multiple one-tier cakes (or pies), place on cake stands and place a dome on top of each one. See above image as an example.

2. Place Under a Pavilion or Tent.

Placing your cake under a pavilion or tent will keep it mostly clear of the elements, though bugs may still land on it and fly away. Also, be sure it’s always in the shade. You can also protect your cake from pests by placing citronella candles in luminary bags (or mason jar lanterns) along the pathway and near your tent entrance (not too close to the cake). This will deter most of the pests.

3. Create a Canopy.

You can create a canopy over your cake with netting. Attach netting to a canopy loop and hang above the cake from a hook or ceiling beams above.

4. Ice, Ice, Baby.

Keep it on dry ice and avoid placing your cake outdoors until it’s closer to the reception time. And, be sure to avoid a filling that won’t spoil easily (buttercream if great). Once the pieces are cut and served, bring the rest indoors.

Hope it helps! Have a wedding question of your own? Just Ask Emmaline!

xo,
-E.