Heather Baird is an accomplished painter and photographer, but her passion is creating eye-popping, mouthwatering desserts. She writes about her adventures in the world of creative dessert-making on her award-winning blog, SprinkleBakes. She is the author of the new baking book, SprinkleBakes: Dessert Recipes to Inspire your Inner Artist. Heather lives in Knoxville, Tennesee, with her husband Mark and two mischievous pugs, Biscuit and Churro.
Making your wedding cake takes a good measure of bravery, but it’s an excellent way to cut some expense from the wedding budget. Practical considerations aside, you’ll also be feeding your guests something made with your own hands, and that is nothing short of special!
To learn how to make, fill, frost and assemble your own delicious cake extraordinaire…
Follow us over to Etsy Weddings for complete instructions, tips, tricks, and helpful step-by-step photos by Sprinklebakes.
Be sure to visit Sprinklebakes for more mouthwatering treats, or check out SprinkleBakes: Dessert Recipes to Inspire Your Inner Artist, available from Amazon or an independent bookstore near you.
Etsy Weddings | How-To Projects
All photos by Sprinklebakes.


48 comments
Sign in to add your ownVaLon Frandsen from thevicagirl says:
I've been thinking of making my own wedding cake. Granted, I don't have a guy yet, so I have plenty of time. But this looks really fun. Very pretty.
364 days ago
jessjamesjake from jessjamesjake says:
Yummy yummy! Hungry now.
364 days ago
Stephanie from StringBeardCraftery says:
Yum! Who says there needs to be a wedding! I'm hungry now! Anytime is Cake time. This cake is not a lie.
364 days ago
Jason and Andie from andiespecialtysweets says:
Looks delicious! And the coconut hides any imperfections. Handmade cakes always look so cute.
364 days ago
Linda from TheHickoryTree says:
Yum. Looks so good. Can't we just have a wedding cake without the wedding?
364 days ago
Hannah Jasmine Tucker from TheMiddleButton says:
I come from a "crafty" family, and one of my sisters made her own wedding dress as well as another sister's; the third married sister wore our grandmother's handmade wedding dress. While I imagine I will make my own wedding dress, because I am a competent seamstress, I would just as soon leave that job for somebody else and take on the cake instead. I love decorating cakes, and while the bride's dress is mostly just for her, the cake is mostly for the guests, and I'd love to do something like that, something special for the special people who come to my wedding. When it happens. ;o)
364 days ago
Victoria Baker from LittleWrenPottery says:
Amazing I love love sprinkle bakes! Such a beautiful cake : )
364 days ago
Jess from volkerwandering says:
Gorgeous!
364 days ago
Shawn St.Peter from shawnstpeter says:
Very nice
364 days ago
ArtigianoJewelBox from ArtigianoJewelBox says:
A baker at heart, when my brother got married, I offered the cake. What an odyssey it became! But a lovely memory and fun for all the guests. Sprinklebakes looks like a great resource for the dessert lover - thanks for the story!
364 days ago
Amanda Gynther from CafePrimrose says:
nice article!
364 days ago
Ali from AZCreativeStudio says:
Great ideas! This cake looks gorgeous.
364 days ago
Josie from JosiesDesign says:
Lovely!
364 days ago
iammieCLAYshop from iammieCLAYshop says:
Beautiful!
364 days ago
Susie from filigreepheasant says:
This makes me so hungry for cake!!
364 days ago
NicoleNicoletta from NicoleNicoletta says:
so pretty! great idea too, save some $$$
364 days ago
Cat Seyler from CatSeyler says:
Fantastic! looks beautiful, fun, & delicious!
364 days ago
Yreina Flores Ortiz from AyMujer says:
We planned our wedding in less than 2 months. We were broke and I couldn't afford a traditional baker so I went with a high-end neighborhood market's bakery. I *thought* I was being resourceful. Well, in the middle of our dinner, the cake started to lean and ever-so-slowly the top two layers slid away! My best friend was the only one who saw it happen. Without stopping to think about her beautiful dress, she ran over to the cake table and caught the runaway cake in her arms! Everyone, including her, busted out laughing. We got some great pictures. However, (and this was my point, I swear) I wish we would have been able to feed everybody cake.
364 days ago
Megan from MegansMenagerie says:
That looks so beautiful!!!
364 days ago
LivingVintage from LivingVintage says:
Yum!
364 days ago
OuterKnits from OuterKnits says:
Nice! Great idea.
364 days ago
Kathy Lindemer from BayMoonDesign says:
My daughter and I are doing some DIY projects for her wedding, but not the cake. We can't even make a decision on the appearance or flavor! You are a brave woman. Best wishes for a wonderful marriage.
364 days ago
Sweet Vintage Goods from SweetVintageGoods says:
I want some!!!!
364 days ago
Karen Kettering says:
VaLon, honey, unless you have nothing else to do with your time, a week leading up to your wedding, let someone else make your cake, and when the time comes, return them the favor by making theirs. Making a wedding cake is a huge commitment, as is being a bride. You don't want to do both on the same day.
364 days ago
Robyn from ShibangDesigns says:
What a great article with lovely step by step photos. Making your own wedding cake definitely is ambitious.
364 days ago
Pine from TheRakishTilt says:
I've always wanted to make someone a wedding cake. What a great gift!
364 days ago
Oncle Hope from OncleHope says:
Oh that looks like so much fun!!! I need to start baking some more too... Thanks for sharing this! And her blog....yummi!
364 days ago
rosebudshome from rosebudshome says:
Not something I should look at since I am on a diet. I might be tempted to try this for a graduation cake for my son!
364 days ago
Gracie from TheBeautyofBoredom says:
Love the visuals! I love cake, despite working in a bakery. I should be sick of sweets, but I am not. Love the confetti on the side of the cake, a good alternative to sprinkles. Maybe I will try something like that, but have it be coconut (shredded) and chocolate chips. Need cake now. ^-^
364 days ago
Rachel Parr from FayesAttic11 says:
Looks beautiful! Love the textures!
364 days ago
Krista Kirk from BeadtrissLane says:
Looks wonderful!! ~Krista
364 days ago
Carla Helene' from Caheez says:
Bravery is RIGHT! I'd rather leave THAT to the professionals! My wedding cake would look more like a cookie! I love to cook, but baking is so not my forte'. It's a crap shoot every time I turn on the mixer and combine it with an oven... I've gotten better over the years but I know my limits! YOU, however, are amazing! Baking is definitely an art form and you, my dear, are quite an artist!
364 days ago
lovelygifts from lovelygifts says:
Looks delicious!
364 days ago
Erika from ErikaPrice says:
Great recipe and tips! We made our own wedding cake together, 6 years ago. It was a 3-tier affair, and we made the top and bottom tiers using an old family fruit cake recipe, then I made a sponge cake for the middle tier. I iced them all and handmade lots of sugar flowers (despite never having made them before). We were very proud of our achievement, and it made the day even more special. But it was such hard work and took so many hours I don't think we've made a cake since!
363 days ago
Michaela Stephens from ArtsyFlair says:
Wonderful recipe! If only I were a better cook. :)
363 days ago
lassandaliasdeana from lassandaliasdeana says:
It looks delicious! ;)
363 days ago
FreakyPeas from FreakyPeas says:
I think if you had a lot of help from friends and relatives, you could have time to do this....
363 days ago
geneva forte says:
great awesome love it.
363 days ago
Som from SomsStudio says:
Looks delicious!! Thanks for sharing.
362 days ago
Alisa and Alyssa from DarlinBrandoPress says:
I love wedding cake! That looks delicious : )
361 days ago
liddy sopretty from liddysopretty says:
pretty and yummy :)
358 days ago
Andrea from Pantora says:
Hi Guys I have been nominated for a Black Street Award, and I would love if you guys took 2 seconds to vote for me Andrea Pitter http://blackcelebrationawards.com/fashion-nominees/
356 days ago
Neva Nobles-Alder says:
Oh I am SO happy this was put up here! I'm making my cake and this is really helpful. 4 months to go woop woop!
352 days ago
Linda Blankenship says:
I love Etsy and creative people.
350 days ago
Custom Baby from customizeBaby says:
WHAT A DELICIOUSSSSSSSSSSSS CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OOH I FEEL I'M IN HEAVEN ALREADY!!!!!!!!!
329 days ago
Rucha Gupte from JewelsULike says:
soo delicious!!!
248 days ago
VINTAGE NOW from ESTATENOW says:
It looks so good..
248 days ago
TheGroovyBaker from TheGroovyBaker says:
I'm sorry ~ but I'm completely blinded by the bandage on her finger : / Please practice basic hygiene when cooking (especially for a crowd!) can you imagine if that slipped off? :( that said ~ this is a very nice cake, but please do not attempt to make your own wedding cake (unless you are having a *very* small, informal affair) have ice cream if you are on that much of a budget ~ wedding cakes are a HUGE ordeal, and so much can go wrong it's amazing (I don't see any reference to internal structure, for instance..a 3 tier cake would collapse on itself wihthout it) ...the stress just isn't worth it. Make this for a birthday or less stressful event, please...trust me..and wear gloves for cripes sake! Yummy flavors though! :D xo
238 days ago