A complete guide to wedding cake stands: Styles, selection tips & decoration ideas

When it comes to planning a wedding, every detail matters for creating a beautiful and memorable day. 

Of course, this includes the presentation of the wedding cake. Using a stand is a reliable way to emphasise the ceremonial centrepiece that is a wedding cake, and elevate the look and impact of this all-important tradition.

In Australia, contemporary and classic weddings alike feature wedding cake stands in a range of creative ways to express the couple’s own style and sense of hospitality. From simple, elegant stands to extravagant, ornamented stands in brilliant gold – wedding cake stands can be eye-catching and create a lasting impression for all of your guests.

Read on for comprehensive advice on how to pick the right wedding cake stands for your wedding, as well as to decorate them so your wedding can ‘take the cake’!

Types of Wedding Cake Stands

Wedding cake stands come in a variety of styles and materials, each bringing a unique charm to your cake display. Choosing the right one can help your cake display match your overall wedding theme, complement your cake design, and add a polished finish to your dessert table.

Metal Stands

Elegant and timeless, metal stands are a popular choice for formal weddings, extravagant affairs and quiet luxury. Gold in particular offers a luxe, classic look. The Luna collection includes different designs in gold tones, including simple, elegant single stands, a highly ornamented vintage-look trio and a low, bejewelled and eye-catching mirror-top stand.

Wooden Stands

Great for rustic, boho, or garden weddings, wooden cake stands offer natural texture and a warm, relaxed look for your wedding cake. Wooden stands can also be used as miniature table risers to display desserts around your ceremony or reception space 

Acrylic Stands

Sleek and modern, acrylic stands are perfect for minimalist weddings or those with a contemporary vibe. Acrylic wedding cake stands offer a clean, understated, and versatile look, making them ideal for letting the cake itself take centre stage.

Tiered vs. Single-Level Stands

Tiered stands allow for multiple cakes or treats to be displayed at different heights, while single-level stands are perfect for showcasing a single, statement cake. Depending on your cake design and the space available, either option can create an eye-catching focal point. If you have a single large cake, you can even use a cluster of tiered cake stands - one for the centrepiece and two for the supporting decorations.

How to Choose the Right Cake Stand for Your Wedding

Choosing a cake stand might seem like a small part of the very big task of organising a wedding, but it deserves careful thought.

Here’s how you can pick out the right cake stand for your wedding:

• Consider the cake/s first: Before you set out to find the right wedding cake stand, think about the cake it will be elevating. Make sure it’s not too large or small, and certainly not too heavy for the stand. Acrylic or metal stands are perfect for heavier cakes, while a collection of smaller cakes can look fantastic across multiple tiered stands.

• Match the cake stand to the wedding theme: When picking out an appropriate wedding cake stand, think about the overall look, feel and vibe you’re trying to create. For example, a wooden cake stand would suit a rustic, country-style wedding, while an acrylic stand could suit a sleek contemporary wedding. 

• Consider budget: As with any other decorative element in your wedding, the wedding cake stand is an expense among many – so consider how much of your budget you want to allocate to it. Cheaper options can stand out, given tasteful placement and a bit of ornamentation. Your wedding cake costs should also factor into your decision here.

• Renting vs buying: Renting wedding decorations, like a wedding cake stand, can be a very budget-friendly option, and help you tick the cake display off your wedding checklist easily. However, buying gives you the option to reuse, reminisce and restyle your home with the very same stand that once held proudly aloft your wedding cake. 

Creative Ways to Style Your Wedding Cake Stand

Displaying your wedding cake doesn’t just involve the perfect wedding cake stand. You’ll need to place and arrange your wedding cake stand at the right focal point in your reception space. You can also decorate on and around the stand to highlight a feature of the cake or tie it in with your overall wedding theme.

Whether you’re going for a simple or extravagant wedding cake stand, a little bit of creativity can take it to the next level:

• Floral arrangements: A simple way to ornament your wedding cake display is with gorgeous blooms. This could mean arranging your display with a couple of bouquets and vases. Alternatively, you could thread floral garlands around the stand itself for an enchanting fairy-garden look.

• Complementary decorations: Complement your wedding cake stands with tabletop items that match the look and feel of your cake stands. You could consider arranging candelabras around your wedding cake stand to provide an anchor or counterpoint to the cake as the visual centrepiece.

• Lighting considerations: Candles are also a great way to highlight your wedding cake arrangement with soft, alluring light. They can be used in tall candelabras as suggested above, or tea lights used for more subtle lighting.

• Complete tablescape recommendations: Styling your entire dessert table (or wedding cake table) can help the masterpiece cake come to life. Start with a tablecloth that complements the cake itself, building with ornamentation like a table runner or decorative napkins. You can then build height onto the tablescape with tall bouquets in vases or plant stands to arrange around the wedding cake.

Your wedding cake deserves a spotlight to help bring your special day to life. With some carefully chosen decorations and thoughtful arrangement, you can make the cake-cutting ceremony a highlight.

Whether you’re drawn to gold elegance, modern acrylic looks, or romantic mirrored designs, the right cake stand can truly elevate your celebration. Explore the full range of wedding cake stands to find the perfect match.