The Different Finishes Your Wedding Cake Can Have — Buttercream, Fondant & Ganache

Buttercream, Fondant or Ganache

When it comes to designing your dream wedding cake, the finish plays a huge role in the overall look, feel, and even the flavour experience. Each finish—buttercream, fondant, and ganache—offers its own beautiful benefits, and the right choice depends on your style, theme, and the atmosphere of your celebration. Here’s a guide to help you understand the differences so you can choose the finish that feels just right for your big day.

Buttercream Finish

Soft, romantic, and timelessButtercream is one of the most popular choices for wedding cakes, and for good reason. Its texture allows for stunning rustic or semi-naked styles as well as smoother, more refined finishes. Benefits of Buttercream:

• Deliciously smooth and creamy – A favourite for couples who prioritise flavour.

• Versatile in design – Perfect for textured styles like ridges, ruffles, waves, or floral piping.

• Naturally elegant – Pairs beautifully with fresh flowers, fruit, or modern minimal decorations.

• Great for indoor weddings – Holds well at typical venue temperatures.

Fondant Finish

A polished, flawless canvas. Fondant is the go-to finish for couples dreaming of a perfectly smooth, sculpted, or intricate wedding cake design. Benefits of Fondant:

• Ultra-smooth and professional appearance – Ideal for elegant, luxury-style cakes.

• Excellent stability – Great for warm rooms, outdoor celebrations, or hot summer weddings.

• Perfect for detailed designs – Allows for sharp edges, sugar flowers, patterns, textures, and bold artistic elements.

• Keeps cake moist – Acts as a protective layer that helps preserve freshness.

Ganache Finish

Rich, glossy, and beautifully structured, Ganache—made from chocolate and cream—offers a luxurious finish that’s both delicious and strong. Benefits of Ganache:

• Outstanding stability – Sets firm, making it ideal as both a finish and a base under fondant.

• Beautifully sleek look – Can be smooth, dripped, marbled, or textured.

• Deep, indulgent flavour – Perfect for chocolate-loving couples.

• Holds shape in warm environments – More stable than buttercream in heat.

Which Finish Should You Choose? The best finish depends on your wedding style, venue, and flavour preferences:

Romantic + soft → Buttercream

Luxury + structured → Fondant

Indulgent + modern → Ganache

Each finish is stunning in its own way, and the right choice will ensure your cake becomes the perfect centrepiece for your celebration.