Handmade Weddings: A Happy Cake for a Happy Family

bunnywithatoolbelt

Story by bunnywithatoolbelt

Published on Mar 20, 2009 in Read

Photo by James Newman

Hilary, aka bunnywithatoolbelt, created her business in 1987, a time when she could easily be picked out from a crowd in her head to toe bunny suit.  Although Hilary no longer goes on daily jaunts dressed as a giant rabbit, she still loves her business name, and more importantly, her business! Today she is well known for her offbeat, charming wedding cake toppers and wooden critters of all sorts.

Some girls dream of being the bride, but as a young girl, I dreamed about making the bride that sits on top of the cake.  Romance and relationships have found their way into the sculptures and other artwork I’ve made since I quit my day job two decades ago and became a full time artist.  In that time, I also became a legally ordained minister, and have officiated the weddings of eight of my closest friends. Both of these interests have come together in the line of handmade wedding cake toppers I sell on Etsy.

One of my favorite commissions of all time came last summer.  My friends Katherine and Davis were getting married, and I was called upon for double-duties as artist and officiant.  Their marriage was non-traditional in many ways, and they definitely wanted their cake to reflect that sentiment.  Each was walking down the aisle for the second time, as well as bringing children from previous marriages into the mix. The traditional bride and groom cake topper didn’t quite tell their story.  They asked me to create five colorful figures to represent the members of their newly formed family.  I also made some matching painted wood flowers to scatter around the sides.  Since the couple was footing the bill for this wedding, they economized by making the cake the backdrop for the ceremony, standing in for flower arrangements.   The baker integrated my artwork with her cake’s shape and decorative icing, and even built on the themes I started by adding a cascade of floral-topped cupcakes surrounding the base so the guests could have their cake and eat it too.

Creating the perfect set of figures for a wedding cake have given me personal connections with people all around the world.  My experience working with friends to create their own wedding ceremony has been incredibly helpful with this aspect of my business and I employ many of the same personal touches when I work with my customers. Cake toppers are a very personal statement about a couple’s outlook on life.  They are also one of the few actual mementos of a wedding that couples display in their homes after the special day has passed.  I am so fortunate to have a job where I am constantly reminded of the power and value of the handmade object in people’s lives.

For more from Hilary, check out her website and blog. She also put together a photo portfolio with details on her cake topper technique.
Handmade Wedding Series | Cake Toppers on Etsy | Weddings and Celebrations Gift Guide

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