When it comes to wedding details, there are few things we love more than an adorable handmade cake topper. Although this little bauble may seem like a trivial element, it’s kind of like the Magi’s star atop a Christmas tree—a little bit of magic happens the moment it’s shifted into place, and a tree just isn’t a Christmas tree without it. Created by Polly Conway, our crafty girl extraordinaire, with the cute-minded bride in mind, these retro-inspired pinecone toppers have a little seasonal sparkle and are the perfect finishing touch for a homespun—think spackled buttercream—winter wedding cake. Here’s Polly with all the details.

I fell in love with spun cotton a few years ago when I thrifted some incredibly detailed Christmas ornaments, painstakingly crafted from simple supplies like crepe paper, pipe cleaners, and yarn. They were so sweet, and their little faces had so much personality! I wanted to see if I could replicate that retro look on my own, and after some experimenting, I’m sharing my process with you in the form of bride ‘n’ groom cake toppers. Again, these little friends can double as favors or table décor; heck, you could make one for each member of the bridal party!

Supplies needed:

1. Spun cotton balls (Get any size here, and have fun browsing the other gorgeous millinery treats!)

2. Pinecones 

3. Felt-tip pens

4. Hot glue gun

5. Craft glue

6. Various supplies like pipe cleaners, crepe paper, yarn, German glass glitter, millinery flowers, or dollhouse miniatures

7. Wood or cardboard base 

Step 1: Hair! To create glitter hair, spread craft glue around a spun cotton ball (the head), then dip into a tray of glitter. Let dry. For yarn hair, add glue, then gently drape pieces of yarn onto the head. Let dry. You can trim later.

Step 2: With the hot glue gun, attach the spun cotton balls to each pinecone, creating a head and body. 

Step 3: Use felt-tip pens to add features to the face. Keep it simple: two black dots for eyes, a small red line for the mouth, and a little pink blush if desired. You can also add freckles or lashes if you’re feeling ambitious.

Step 4: Wrap a length of pipe cleaner around the neck to create arms. Bend as needed. You can also add legs with the glue gun.

Step 5: With glue gun, attach figures to the base. Now you can give your bride and groom some character and create a little scene using your extras. Have fun!