A metallic gold cake has to be the epitome of wedding luxury – the cakes above by Let Them Eat Cakes (left) and from Style Me Pretty (right) simply exude opulence for a lavish wedding reception. What’s more, they would make a fantastic centrepiece for a 50th anniversary reception also.
The gold metallic effect is very easily created. If you’re lucky enought to own an airbrush, then there are lots of metallic gold airbrush colours on the market in both light golds, darker golds and “antique gold” shades.
There are also lots of edible gold sprays available to buy also but bear in mind when spraying your cake, the colour of the fondant or buttercream underneath. For example, a white iced cake will take much more spray to build up a strong gold sheen than a caramel or beige tinted icing, so it might be worth experimenting with different colour icings before you start our gold wedding or 50th anniversary cake.
Aside from airbrushing or spraying your cake gold, there is also the option of using gold paint applied with a sponge to give a “rubbed gold” effect.
But our favourite technique of all (and which gives the smoothest finish in our opinion) is using a gold metallic dust mixed with Everclear alcohol or rejuvenator liquid and painted onto the fondant surface, before dusting in round circular motions with a round dusting brush to banish any streaking.
You’ll find a great tutorial here from Minette Rushing Custom Cakes on how to paint a cake with lustre dust (the pearl lustre dust Minette demonstrates with can be substituted with gold lustre dust/gold metallic dust): cake lustre dust tutorial.
Our fabulous examples above showcase the versatility of the gold as a wedding theme – it works with virtually every colour palette, but looks super chic with soft pink in the exquisite examples by Madisons on Main (above left, photographed by Kevin Paul Photography) and via Pinterest (uncredited, above right).
But if you really want to up the pizzazz, then why not go for gold leaf! It’s so luxurious and never fails to impress as our two stunning examples show -the cake below left is Anna Elizabeth Cakes (via WedLuxe), while the cake on the right is by the renowned Australian cake designer, Faye Cahill.
Gold leaf would make a particularly special touch for a 50th anniversary cake. It can, however, be tricky to apply but you’ll find a tutorial here from the Ashlee Marie blog: gold leaf cake tutorial.
If you want to partially cover your cake in gold leaf for a faded gold look, check out our Cake Accents: Distressed Gold & Metallic Finishes feature which has a tutorial on creating antiqued metallic effects.
A metallic gold wedding cake works wonderfully for a vintage theme wedding. The exquisite cake below with draped pearls simply exudes 1920’s glamour and sophistication. (Image via Pinterest.)
Top UK wedding cake designers, Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium have styled a uniquely elegant antique style wedding cake below in resplendent gold lace with a metallic finish.
Many vintage style design elements work with a metallic gold wedding cake. The example below by Australia’s Sweet Perfection blends an antique cameo and lace piping with gold metallic cake accents.
Our final gold cake by Helen Mansey of Bellissimo Cakes in the UK also combines delicate lace piping with an opulent gold finish for a perfect vintage gold wedding cake centrepiece.
Readers may also be interested in our features on:
- Distressed Gold Finishes and Tutorial for Antiqued Cake Designs
- New Metallics: Rose Gold Wedding Cakes, Copper & Bronze Tones
- Pale Gold & Champagne Wedding Cakes
- Marble Wedding Cakes, Agate, Geodes & Precious Metals – Wedding Cakes Inspired by Geology
- Edible Sequins Cakes & Tutorials
- Jewelled Sugar Flowers – Glamorous Gold
- Metallics & Lace Wedding Cakes
- Gatsby Wedding Cakes
- Jewelled Wedding Cakes
- Vintage Jewellery & Locket Cakes
- Marie Antoinette Cakes
- Wedding Cake Tutorial (Baroque Style) by Rosalind Miller
Coming Up Next: Vintage Banner Cake Toppers