Thursday, September 1, 2011

The cake topper, finished

This was actually a really easy project, I just managed to spread it out over an entire month. D and I have a collection of dia de los muertos figurines that we love, so it seemed like a natural choice for the cake topper, if we were going to have such a thing. I purchased the bride and groom at Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles for $13 each. You can order similar ones online, but no two are exactly alike because they are hand painted, so I always like to pick mine out in person.

cake topper, finished
{cake topper, finished}

I purchased the round wooden circle from a craft store for less than a dollar and then gave it a quick paint job. The bride originally came with a mantilla veil that was kind of cheap looking, so I yanked it off and gave her a small one I made out of gold netting instead. I made teeny-tiny flowers out of bits of fabric and stuck them together for a bouquet (yes, by this point I knew I was being obsessive, but I was enjoying it).

cake topper, finished

The biggest stumbling block for me was that they came firmly glued to these little squares of wood and it drove me nuts because it was making them hard to position. I whined about it for two weeks and then started googling. Turns out that heat was the solution! I just aimed a blow dryer directly at the base and after 30 - 60 seconds I could easily pull the figurine off. Then I set them up on the painted circle and glued them down. Perfect.

We've been trying to strike a balance with the wedding - honoring some of D's heritage without making it seem like we tried to throw a cinco de mayo party. This just felt right.



(Note - this is one of those craft projects with hidden costs. I spent $27 to make this, but I already had paint and brushes and hot glue and netting and fabric on hand. If I'd had to buy all of those supplies it would have been closer to $50 and I would have had a ton of stuff leftover)





22 comments:

  1. Oh my god. So worth the money. The cake toppers are amazing. And I saw cake toppers in the hundreds of dollars on the Anthropologie website. So consider these little guys a deal. And so special!

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  2. i think this looks so cool - and way to make it your own.

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  3. I think I found your blog through Cupcakes and Cashmere. And I'm so glad I did! This cake topper is awesome! Can't wait to try the recipes. :)

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  4. beautiful work, as always, rachel - and i think you're striking that balance re: d quite thoughtfully. thanks for the heat trick, which i will use often and with gusto!

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  5. I love this! It's so original and a sweet tribute to his heritage. Nice work with the changes you made to really make it your own. My sister-in-law did something similar with a vintage cake topper for our wedding.
    best wishes as you celebrate these last weeks leading up to your wedding! very special days.

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  6. I love that you personalized it! It looks great!! The flowers, veil, and new round make it look so cool!

    http://hipposandhearts.com

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  7. I love Olvera Street! Those toppers are very unique - it's great that you found a way to infuse every last detail with your personalities. Did you have a chance to stop by the Tim Burton exhibit at LACMA? Your toppers made me think of that.

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  8. They turned out awesome! And the best part is they'll look great on a shelf in your home afterwards, not like some uber cheesy toppers I've seen. :)

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  9. the topper is ridiculous and will look so amazing atop any cake. i especially dig the dapper little cane.

    http://mavenamy.blogspot.com

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  10. That is so cute!!!!!!!!

    It is such an adorable and inspirational little idea! xx

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  11. this is such a creative (not to mention unique) wedding topper! i really love...it inspires me to be a little crafty with ideas for mine ;)

    alissa b
    http://www.alissab.us

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  12. Probably the best cake topper I've ever seen.

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  13. love the cake topper! super creative. you could see my cool topper that my husband made here:http://quartercentury25.blogspot.com/2010/08/wedding-trailer.html

    x

    www.lifelikesandlucas.com

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  14. i just love these cute little cake toppers!! so fun!
    xo ~ kristina

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  15. Those look amazing. What a great job you did. I love seeing someone get really creative.

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  16. this is really adorable! I love it

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  17. happy wedding weekend, I know it will be amazing. enjoy every minute xo

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  18. The blog was absolutely fantastic! Lots of great information and
    inspiration, both of which we all need!b Keep 'em coming... you all do
    such a great job at such Concepts... can't tell you how much I, for
    one appreciate all you do!

    MLM Software

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  19. such a cute cake topper! xoxo

    http://hellofridaybypaik.blogspot.com/

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