If you cannot find an answer to your question here please contact me via any of the means below.
Helen Liddle
Sunfish Handmade Caketops
Rose Cottage
South Laggan
Spean Bridge
Inverness-shire
Scotland
PH34 4EA
Telephone/Fax: +44 (0)1809 501440
E-mail address: caketops@btinternet.com
How much do they cost?
All prices are quoted for "caketops" that consist of 2 figures on a base. Details such as pets, babies and additional figures are extra, and can be quoted on request.
As a guide, caketops are priced FROM £50.00. An average caketop tends to be around £55 - £65 as additions such as pets or props are popular. It does really depend on on what custom requests you make, as some are more time consuming than others.
Additional figures of children, bridesmaids or groomsmen are also available when ordered together with a bride and groom. Additional figures are quoted individually due to the varying level of detail requested, please email me if you would like your caketop to include additional figures. (Please also read the section on Children/Bridesmaids/Groomsmen.)
Orders totalling over £60 require payment of a non-returnable deposit of £20 to confirm the order, this must be paid at latest a month before the date caketop is required for and before work is begun on making the caketop.
What about Postage & Packaging?
The cake tops post well, as I package them securely. They have arrived as far as Canada and the USA in one piece! I recommend you keep the packaging especially if you intend to travel with the caketop. All delivery options require a signature on receipt.
UK Delivery
Within the UK I send the caketops First Class Post Recorded at no extra charge. The caketop should arrive within one or two days of posting, but a definite delivery date is not guaranteed. If you wish to be sure of the cake top arriving at a certain time, perhaps to ensure someone is there to sign for it, then I would recommend special delivery.
If you wish to have the cake top sent Special Delivery this is an additional £6 charge. Special delivery is next working day before 1pm guaranteed for UK mainland destinations, see www.royalmail.com for more details.
For an extra £8 you can have the caketop posted on a Friday for a guaranteed delivery on a Saturday. "Special Delivery Saturday Guarantee".
Delivery to destinations outwith the UK
For Republic of Ireland and Europe, the postage charge is plus £8. The caketop is sent by International Signed For and should take approximately 3 working days to arrive. It will require a signature on delivery.
For North America the postage charge is plus £12. The caketop would be sent International Signed For or by Airsure, depending on its weight. Both services take approximately 5 working days to reach their destination and require a signature on delivery.
How do I pay?
Once I have finished your cake top I can email or post a picture of the finished bride and groom for you to approve. You can let me know if there are any minor changes needed at this point. However if you wish to add/change something not originally requested, or not clearly stated, there may be an extra charge for this.
Once you have approved a photo of your cake top you can then send your payment, including any extra for delivery charges, and you can also reconfirm your delivery address at this time. When I receive your payment I can put the caketop in the post to you. Please note the caketop will not be posted out to you until your payment has been received.
UK Customers
Payment is preferred by cheque made payable to Sunfish Handmade. Please write your name and address on the back of the cheque and send to:
Sunfish Handmade Caketops
Rose Cottage
South Laggan
Spean Bridge
Inverness-shire
Scotland
PH34 4EA
Alternatively you can pay using paypal (see www.paypal.co.uk for more information). I can email you a paypal invoice which gives step by step instructions. You can pay instantly using a card online. Please note I will add £2 to your cost to cover the paypal admin charge for using the service.
Customers outwith the UK
Overseas customers may pay using paypal (see www.paypal.com for links to a paypal website in your country). I will email you a paypal invoice which gives step by step instructions on how to pay. You are able to pay instantly using a card online. Please note I add £2 to cover the paypal admin charge, but I will have included this in the overseas postage charge already quoted to you, so there will not actually appear to be an additional charge.
In North America the caketop may be liable to a customs charge. Please check with the authorities in the destination country what this may be. Past customers have reported there was no charge or else a very minimal one.
How far in advance do I need to place my order?
Please allow at least 4-6 weeks notice for ordering your cake top. You can order further in advance, and confirm all the details nearer the time if you wish. May to August are particularly busy months, and I may not be able to accept any short notice orders at these times, so please plan in advance.
If you have less time please contact me and I shall let you know if I am able to meet your deadline. You can contact me by telephone, fax, email or post. Orders are typically worked on in the order of when they are needed, so please advise if you need it at a date other than 2-3 weeks before your wedding date.
Can I personalise the cake top?
Yes! You can give me as much information as you would like to include on your cake top, and I can let you know what is possible and quote a price based on your requirements. For example, you can choose hair colours, kilts, suits, dress colour, bouquet colours and flowers, spectacles, etc.
Small animals may also be included, for example a dog or a cat. I can also do some "props" for example a rucksack or bag at the feet, or caps on head or in hand. However there are limits so if you have something in mind I can let you know if it is something I can do.
You can give as little or as much information as you would like to include, and your quote will be based on the information you provide. I may ask you for additional detail before I can give you a definite price. If you make additions or changes, your quote may change accordingly. Please see the check list for a guide.
Children/Bridesmaids/Groomsmen
I can also do children, either on the same base as the bride and groom (one can fit on same base, two small/young children at a push!), or on separate bases. Bridesmaids and groomsmen are also possible on separate bases. For bridesmaids you may need to supply your own fabric if it is a particular colour of dress. The base additional figures stand on can be slightly smaller than the regular sized base at 7.5 cm diameter.
What dress colours and styles are available for the Bride?
These are the fabric colours that I have in stock. However if I do not have the right shade, or you wish to be sure of a perfect match you may be asked to supply your own piece of material. The minimum size I require is 30cm by 25cm (approx.). I am limited as to how detailed the style of dress can be. If you have a different request, please let me know. I cannot promise I will be able to do it, however there's no harm in asking!
Dress Detail
Simple emboidery and/or beading can be added to the bodice or skirt.
Sleeves
Please note that a small flower is always added to the shoulder to help secure the arm and disguise the join. Please look at the photos in the gallery to see how she looks.
Neckline
The bride's dress is always made with a high straight neckline. I can't make the bride with a plunging or shaped neckline.
Saris
I can dress the bride in a sari style dress. The sari is made with a skirt and a top with short sleeves. (I can't do the dress with the bride's tummy showing unfortunately!)
A head shawl can be made from satin or organza and can be positioned over her head or around her shoulders. She can have the dress and/or shawl trimmed with ribbon. Embroidery and beads can be applied to the dress. I can use satin or organza, please see the list above for the colours I have available. Or you can supply your own fabric and trim. I have been able to use quite heavily beaded sari fabric in the past. She can also have bangles on her arms (coiled wire available in gold, silver, copper or red). An average bride and groom with the bride wearing a sari with embroidery and beading detail is priced around £60.00.
What suit styles and colours are available for the Groom?
Waistcoats & Buttonholes
The groom's waistcoat is made from a piece of ribbon just visible under the jacket. I have a large selection of colour satin ribbons that are suitable (patterns on the waistcoat are not possible).
Buttonholes are available in your choice of colour of rose, cala lily, carnation or a thistle.
Ties & Cravats
Grooms can be made with bow tie, normal style tie or cravat. Any colour can be requested.
Morning Suits
Morning suits (black jacket with grey trousers, no striped material available only plain) are also available.
What tartans and accessories are available for the Groom's kilt?
The tartans I use are the ones that are available in ribbon (unless otherwise specified). You can supply your own material if none of the tartans are suitable. Tartans I have available are:
Modern Kilts
The kilted groom can also be made wearing 'modern kilts' denim, solid coloured kilts etc. Ribbon or fabric would be used to do this, you can of course supply your own material/ribbon to be sure of a good colour match if you wish. Contact me to discuss your requirements.
Kilt Jacket, Shirt & Socks
Various colours as listed for suits.
Jacobite Shirts
The groom can also wear a Jacobite style shirt.
Waistcoats The groom can wear a waistcoat without a jacket.
Can the Bride/Groom wear uniform?
Yes, I can dress the figures in uniform - with some limitations. Some details may not be possible. So far I have made grooms in army, navy, pilot and police uniforms, and have made bride's in army and nurse uniforms. Hats can be on heads or under arms, and medals can be made. If you are able to send a photo of the uniform required I can let you know what is possible and quote a price. Alternatively you may wish to have the figure in wedding clothes perhaps holding or wearing just the hat from the uniform.
Hair Colour & Length
Basic hair colours (variations available on request):
Long hair is not possible beyond shoulder length as it tends to break.
Hairstyles for the Bride
You can choose to have it up for the bride, with or without a fringe, loose to chin or loose to shoulder. Loose styles can be wavy or straight. The bride's hair can also be made in a bun on top or to back of her head. Fringes may be straight or sweeping. The bride can have a tiara in gold or silver, or have flowers in her hair.
Bride's Veil
The bride can have a veil which attaches to the back of her head or alternatively is fuller and comes from the top of her head. The veil can be long to floor or shorter perhaps to waist or elbow.
Hairstyles for the Groom
The groom can have the regular hairstyle, or a "shaved" look where the hair is painted on. He can have long hair, again just to chin length. Or I can give him a simple ponytail which is made using a separate piece or clay and stuck on, so he can have the effect of hair down his back. Or he can be completely bald. If you have any unusual requests, please ask and I can advise what is possible.
The groom can also have facial hair (painted on):
Skin Tone
I can do a flesh pink, or any darker shade. You can describe, or if possible photos can be really helpful. There are some photos in the gallery of some figures with darker skin tones, but any shade is possible as I would mix it up to suit the individual figure.
Eyes
Eyes are all a black pupil on a white background, they are stick on "google eyes".
What flowers can I have in my bouquet?
All flowers are handmade for each individual caketop. Any colour combination can be requested. I make the following types of flower:
The bouquet looks best with leaves added (all handmade) but they may be omitted if requested.
Usually I use 3 roses or 5 lilies, but can add more for a trailing or larger bouquet. Many of the caketop photos in the gallery have this type of custom bouquet. Because these are all handmade and time consuming, they will be taken into account when working out your price.
Trim & Base
You can also choose a ribbon colour to incorporate into the bow at the couple's feet. Perhaps the to match the bouquet or bridesmaid's colours for example.
On top of the bow you can have a decoration. Or it can be left plain. It is possible to not have a bow at the front but please note the bow helps to hide a bit of glue which always shows at the groom's feet where he is secured to the base. Decorations available are:
Flags of any country, state or province can be placed at the feet of the bride and goom. Alternatively, the names of the bride and groom can be printed on cards, and attached to the bow at the feet.
I use a 3½ inch diameter base for the bride and groom. It can be:
Additional adult figures such as bridesmaids and groomsmen are placed on a separate 3 inch base (gold or silver).
Where can I buy miniature wine glasses/musical instruments etc.?
www.dollshouse.co.uk and www.dollshousesandminiatures.com sell a range of miniature items (wine glasses, musical insruments etc.) that you can send for me to incorporate into your caketop.
Can you do..? Football kit/seated figures/motorbike riders
I am often asked to personalise the figures in unusual ways, and if possible I will try, but I am limited to how much I can do (props such as rucksacks, or items to signify a hobby or career are often possible). Please visit the hobbies and career pages in the photo gallery to see examples. Contact me if you have something specific in mind which hasn't been covered in this FAQ or elsewhere on the webiste. Here are some answers to commonly asked queries for different cake tops:
Football Kit
I can't create a football kit from scratch. In the past I have made a groom wearing a football kit, which was in fact a 'mini kit' from a toy mascot, which my customer supplied. This worked quite well as the little shirt had the pattern of the club and even a tiny club badge on it. I was able to cut it up and stick it together onto the groom figure. So if you can find a suitable tiny shirt, made from cotton fabric, you would be welcome to supply this for use on your cake top. You may be able to find something on the web or at your club shop, which could be used. Please contact me for a quote before posting anything to me.
Seated Figures
I'm afraid I can't do the figures in a seated position, only standing. You may have seen cakes with figures sitting on the edge of the cake or on top of suitcases for example, and these would often be made out of sugar/almond paste, by the cake decorator. I can't provide a version of my cake tops to recreate this look. If you really want to have sitting figures on your cake I would recommend having them made from sugar, however most cake decorators would only do this if they are also making the cake itself.
Motorbike Riders
Sorry, I can't make a cake top of figures on a motorbike. I have seen pictures of this on the web, and it looks great! In the pictures I have seen, the bride and groom have been made from sugar/almond paste, with a toy motorbike used for them to sit on. This again is something, which you are most likely to be able to have made by a cake decorator - if they are also making your cake. The best I can do for a motorbike theme is for the bride and groom to be in a standing pose, wearing wedding outfits, with bride/groom holding a helmet, or with the helmet(s) at their feet. If you are able to find a motorbike toy the right size, you could then place this on the cake too, either beside the cake top or on a separate tier.
What are the caketops made of?
The caketops have a similar look to sugar modelled figures, and I am often asked if they are edible- they're not! I use polymer clay to model the faces and hands. The bodies are made of wood and fabric. They are glued together and mounted on a cake board base. I individually and personally make them all, from top to toe!
What size are they?
They are approximately 13cm tall (base to top of the head), standing on a 9cm round diameter base. (If you request a taller groom, for example, he may be slightly taller than 13cm, similarly if you request one of the figures to be shorter, they may be smaller than 13cm.) In the photo gallery you can see photos of the caketops on cakes to get an idea of scale and how they look.
They are very light, and can be placed directly onto your cake. They are supplied in a clear plastic box. For delivery, they are packed with bubble wrap and posted in a cardboard box. If you are travelling for your wedding and taking the caketop with you, please transport it packed securely in its box and treat it as fragile.
How long do they last?
They should last as a keepsake for many years to come. However they are fragile, and will become more fragile over time as the glue loses its strength. If any bits do become unattached, you can simply glue them back on. If any small parts are lost, you are welcome to send an SAE and I can supply replacement eyes, bow ties or small flowers. If you have a more serious accident with your cake top, you can return it to me for repair. In most cases I would not charge for the repair.
For these reasons I prefer not to make them too far in advance, but if you wish to have them over a year ahead of time, then you have the option of returning the cake top before the wedding for me to check all bits are secure. No charge other than postage.
Note on safety
Please note, that the cake tops contain many small parts and are therefore a choking hazard. They are designed as decoration only, and are not a toy. Please keep them out of reach of children.