Because not every bloom belongs on your buttercream.

When you picture your dream wedding cake, it’s easy to imagine cascading blooms, delicate petals, and lush greenery wrapping around each tier. Florals add undeniable romance — they bridge the design between your décor and dessert table. But here’s the truth most couples don’t know: not all flowers are safe for your wedding cake.

Believe it or not, we actually stumbled across this eye-opening topic from Shannon Turner’s Instagram page — and it stopped us in our tracks. We had no idea that something as simple (and beautiful) as a flower could pose such serious risks when used on a cake. So naturally, we did what any planner would do… we dove deep.

Whether fresh, dried, or sugared, certain blooms contain natural toxins or pesticides that can make your cake unsafe for consumption — and as your planner (and professional worrier), I’m here to make sure beauty never compromises safety.

Why Flower Safety Matters

Wedding cakes aren’t just décor — they’re dessert. Even if guests don’t eat the floral decorations themselves, flowers can still transfer harmful substances to the cake’s icing or layers. Many popular wedding flowers are non-edible or even poisonous if ingested, especially if they’ve been sprayed with chemicals or pesticides during growing and transport.  Simply put: if it touches the cake, it should be food-safe.

Flowers to Avoid on Wedding Cakes

Some flowers are naturally toxic, even in small amounts. These should never come into direct contact with your cake:

• Hydrangeas – Beautiful but highly toxic to humans and pets.
• Lily of the Valley – Extremely poisonous, even in trace amounts.
• Daffodils – Can cause nausea and vomiting if ingested.
• Ranunculus – Gorgeous for bouquets, not for buttercream.
• Peonies – Often treated with pesticides and not food-safe.
• Eucalyptus – While trendy and aromatic, some types can cause stomach irritation.

If you love the look of any of these blooms, don’t panic — they can still be used safely with proper precautions.

Safe Options and Smart Alternatives

When it comes to wedding cake florals, the safest options are edible flowers and organic, pesticide-free blooms. Some of our favorite safe choices include:

• Roses (grown organically and pesticide-free)
• Pansies
• Marigolds
• Chamomile
• Lavender
• Violets
• Herbs like rosemary, thyme, and mint

And if your dream bloom isn’t edible? Ask your florist or cake designer to wrap the stems in floral tape, use barrier straws, or place a thin piece of wax paper between the flowers and frosting to prevent direct contact.

Collaboration Is Key: Florist + Baker + Planner

The best-looking (and safest) cakes happen when your creative team works together.
Here’s how to keep everyone on the same page:

• Planner: Coordinates communication and ensures the design vision and safety align.

💡 JLW Planner Tip: At J. Ladson Weddings, we take a “safety first, sparkle second” approach when it comes to your cake. During the design walkthrough, we confirm your floral list, check for toxicity, and ensure all cake décor is either edible, organic, or safely separated. Because your cake should be remembered for its beauty — not for making guests sick. Always confirm that your florist knows the flowers are going on a cake. This detail changes everything about how they’ll source and prepare your stems. {Jade Ladson, J. Ladson Weddings]

• Florist: Provides food-safe blooms, properly prepped and pesticide-free.

💡 Florist Tip: Transparency builds trust. When florists keep planners and their clients informed about how flowers are sourced and prepped for cakes, everyone can feel confident in the design. Choosing clean-grown florals and handling them with care ensures every detail reflects the same thoughtfulness as the rest of your celebration {Krystal Alston, Rose & Sage Decor}

• Baker: Applies flowers using safe handling methods and knows what’s edible vs. decorative.

💡 Pastry Chef Tip: “Not every flower that looks gorgeous on a table belongs on a cake. A wedding cake is both art and food – and beauty, safety, and professionalism happen when florists and cake designers collaborate early with that truth in mind.” {Shannon Turner, Shannon Turner Cakes}

Final Thoughts

Fresh flowers on wedding cakes can be breathtaking — but they should never come at the expense of safety. With a little education, clear communication, and a detail-oriented planner (hi, that’s us!), you can enjoy a picture-perfect, petal-covered cake that’s just as safe as it is stunning.

And major thanks to Shannon Turner for sparking this important conversation — it’s proof that even seasoned wedding pros can learn something new every day.

Ready to design your dream wedding with the perfect cake and petals?

Let’s create something that looks beautiful and tastes unforgettable.

📩 Inquire with J. Ladson Weddings Today.

Want to know more about which flowers are toxic and how they can make you sick?
Head over to Shannon Turner Cakes to read her deep dive on flower toxicity and why it matters more than most couples realize.