When it comes to wedding cakes, buttercream is a go-to icing option for many couples. That's because the classic frosting type is so incredibly versatile. Buttercream is easy to flavor, color, and spread. Depending on how you or your baker use it, it's also an excellent canvas for piping, floral adornments, or other dessert decorations. On top of all that, buttercream isn't too heavy or sweet. No wonder it complements so many different kinds of desserts. To show you just how amazing it really is, we've rounded up some of our favorite buttercream wedding cake ideas.
The following desserts come in all styles, sizes, and shapes. Some confections boast four towering tiers; others are made from just one. Some are square; others are round. As you can probably tell, the design possibilities are truly endless.
Of course, buttercream also pairs with just about any flavor you can imagine. Ahead, you'll find everything from a carrot-coconut wedding cake to a zucchini-lime (yes, you read that right) dessert. So, whether you're a vanilla or chocolate kind of couple (or you're in the market for something totally unique) buttercream's got your back. Get all of the best buttercream wedding cake decorating ideas (and flavor inspiration) here. With the help of these examples, you'll have no problem making the traditional icing your own.
Berry Romantic
This couple's buttercream wedding cake by Enjoy Cupcakes was decorated with berries and ranunculus blooms in shades of pink and purple.
Dahlia Delight
The textured buttercream frosting on this Vanilla Bake Shop wedding cake was pretty on its own, but a few soft dahlias made the confection even sweeter.
When Life Gives You Lemons
Citrus accents are always fun, as this modern Maple and Love drip cake went to show. Lemon slices popped against its white buttercream tiers.
Small But Mighty
Buttercream wedding cakes are beautiful big or small—this one-tiered The Cake & The Giraffe creation boasted a stunning gold wreath.
The Blues
This ocean-inspired confection by Lily's Cakes was frosted in blue and white buttercream.
Gold and Greenery
Gold flecks and trailing greenery made this deckle-edged buttercream wedding cake (crafted by T Bakes) a total standout.
Swirled Icing
There's a lot you can do with a buttercream surface. This simple Sweet Traders dessert had swirled icing.
Really Rustic
The Jewels of New York decorated this rustic buttercream wedding cake with flowers adhered to the fluffy icing.
Pretty in Pink
Dress your dessert in colored buttercream, like the light pink icing on this Barr Mansion cake. Everly Alaine Florals spruced up the sweet with vines of foliage.
Posy Adornment
A mix of yellow, orange, purple, green, and blue blooms were placed on the side of this buttercream cake by the aptly-named Buttercream Bakeshop.
Just Barely Frosted
This semi-naked vanilla-almond cake was coated in a thin layer of buttercream frosting (Swiss meringue to be exact).
Two-Tiered Treat
Lemon drop-flavored cake hid beneath the layered buttercream of this Baked dessert. "We wanted something light and refreshing for a hot summer day," the bride explained.
Sweet Simplicity
Small buttercream wedding cakes are easy to DIY—just ask the cousin of the groom who made this one.
White Stripes
The white buttercream's texture on this La Jaconde Cakes dessert gave the confection a slightly striped (and mouthwatering) appearance.
Blue Buttercream
Here's another example of a cute colored cake—this blue buttercream one was baked by Kaycakes Bakery.
Tier Toppers
Each tier of this beautiful buttercream wedding cake was topped with fresh flowers.
Fabulous Faux Flowers
This four-tiered buttercream cake by Amy Beck Cake Design was decorated with sugar peonies.
A Dark Delight
Black Dog Bakery made this couple's chocolate cake with honey-fudge icing. It was decorated with fresh flowers and vines and placed on a simple glass stand.
Sweet and Simple
This two-tiered vanilla cake was covered with buttercream frosting and garden roses.
Fresh Flavor
This couple's buttercream Intricate Icings cake, decorated with roses and astible, had a unique flavor: zucchini-lime!
Destination Delicious
"We were having so much fun, we forgot to cut the cake," this bride shared of her carrot-coconut confection, which was topped by antique fabric flowers, red hibiscus blooms, lime slices, and greenery. The couple ate the buttercream-frosted dessert after their St. Barts wedding.
Piped to Perfection
The design of this couple's textured buttercream cake came from the patterns created by the bride for their stationery suite.
A Classic Cake
This four-tiered buttercream wedding dessert (half lemon sponge cake, half Mahogany cake) was made by Perfect Endings and decorated with sugar cyclamens (intended to match the centerpieces).