Non-edible figures
These are made from a non-toxic (but non-edible) modelling paste, which is very flexible to work with, so you can have much more intricate figures.
They just sit on top of the cake on their own food-grade acrylic stand, so you can easily take them off & keep them as a lasting memento of the occasion. They're virtually indestructible once dry, and will last indefinitely.
You have a choice of cartoon figures (as in the suitcases bride & groom), or realistic figures (as in the dancers).
Cartoon figures in modelling paste are £70 for a couple (e.g. bride & groom), £40 for a single figure, or from £15 for animals.
Realistic figures in modelling paste are £80 for a couple (e.g. bride & groom), £45 for a single figure, or from £20 for animals.
Icing figures
These are edible (though probably not very nice once dry!). However, it means that they can be integrated into the cake design (e.g. as in the sofa family cake).
They're very fragile and will break easily once dry, so although you could keep them afterwards, they're more likely to break or eventually spoil than the non-edible figures.
Again, you can have cartoon figures or realistic figures. However, as icing is far more fragile than the modelling paste, certain poses might not be possible. For example, the dancers and the dogs in the section above wouldn't be possible in icing as they have too many parts in mid-air, and would almost certainly break!
Cartoon figures in icing are £40 for a couple, £25 for a single, or animals from £7.
Realistic figures in icing are £50 for a couple, £30 for a single, or animals from £10.