Cupcakes At Your Wedding? Why Not?

Have you considered having a tower of cupcakes at your wedding instead of a traditional wedding cake? Or maybe a single 'cake top' surrounded by cupcakes for your guests? Towers of cupcakes are not only economical but they're easy to do yourself.

Is a cupcake tower right for you and your wedding? It's something to think about.

The biggest benefit of a cupcake tower is the cash it saves you. And if you're like most brides saving money is high on your list of priorities. According to the experts at The Bridal Association of America the average wedding cake cost $543.00.  A mid-range two to three tier cake in common flavors like vanilla, chocolate, lemon poppy seed, or carrot cake with either butter cream icing or fondant decorations cost is about five to six dollars a slice (ouch!) and goes up to approximately ten dollars a slice for fancier cakes.  Cupcakes are approximately two to three dollars each depending on how extravagant the decorations on it are. Now you see why cost ranks high on the reasons to consider having a cupcake tower! A cost quote for a cupcake tower for a wedding is $370. This includes 200 cupcakes (75 vanilla, 50 carrot cake, and 75 red velvet). In addition they offered two small cakes nicely decorated, to cut at the reception, one to save for the couple's first anniversary. Don't forget venues also often tack on a 'cutting fee' to slice your wedding cake, so you need to add that cost to the $543.

The best part of a cupcake tower is you really can do it yourself! While most of us lack the necessary skills to pull off an elegant, multi-tier wedding cake, cupcakes are 'a piece of cake!' Decide on your flavors, taste test, and then test designs for decorating. The Internet is full of ideas for easy cupcake decorations, just choose the one that suits you best. Add some candied violets or pretty ribbons to make your cupcakes stand out.  Also consider some of the great cupcake wrappers that are available today. Many of these are laser cut in a design to fit your wedding's theme.

As a DIY bride, transporting a multi-tier wedding cake would be tricky. Cupcake towers are easy to assemble at your reception venue.  You don't have to worry about taking that corner too tightly and the cake crashing into pieces!

Along with not needed to pay your venue to slice your cake or have someone on hand at your buffet to serve the cake. Guests can easily serve themselves from a cupcake tower. No extra forks needed! Not only that, it's easy for guests to take their cupcake home if they wish.

One of the best things about a cupcake tower is you can have a variety of cake to suit every taste. If your groom wants chocolate, it's easy to combine with vanilla cupcakes, lemon or assorted other flavors. While you can switch flavors with cake tiers, it doesn't  give you cake a cohesive feel. Cupcakes almost beg to be served in a variety of flavors!

Are cupcakes for you? That's up to you and your groom. But it's certainly something to consider.  Especially if you're a diy bride on a budget!

Cupcake Topiary - More Ideas For Weddings and Showers

Cupcake topiary, whether they are made by professionals (Like the one above) or a DIY project they never fail to wow your guests. I've posted other cupcake topiary but the one above is a little different.  It's a hydrangea topiary, made the same way the other topiary was (see link) but with a bit of extra pizazz.  Cupcake topiary are hot blog topics so I thought I'd share these with you. 

This professionally made hydrangea cupcake topiary is perfect for a wedding sweet table or a bridal shower.   And while this topiary is decorated with hydrangeas, you could use eatable pansies or other sugar flowers as well.

The hydrangea cupcake topiary is from Lisa Roberts Cakes via the cupcake blog. Visit Lisa's web site to see her variety of great cake options, believe me, this talented cake designer offers her clients in Ontario incredible bespoke cake designs, beautifully hand-crafted wedding cakes (see her blog for some absolutely gorgeous wedding cakes), cookies, cupcakes, and gourmet chocolates.  

Other cupcake topiary have slightly different designs but all have the same basic form and how to directions.  Styrofoam ball or tree shape, cupcakes, toothpicks (use two per cupcake) and a planter, either a clay pot or more decorative planter. Other additions can be added such as in the Alice In Wonderland topiary below.

If you're a bride (or have a groom) who loves chocolate, don't despair! Chocolate topiary can be made as well. The one below from Creative Quality Catering has my mouth watering! No matter which topiary you choose to make your guests will be impressed with your creativity and DIY IQ. 

Can't quite figure out how to make these? Head to YouTube for some easy to follow tutorials on cupcake topiary art.  Hope you have fun! Add your comments below on how your attempts went or add a link with the photos of your artistic endeavors.

Good As Gold - Serving Desserts In Golden Shells

Looking for a way to wow your guests? Try serving your dessert in these golden egg shells! You could try to make our own (sounds like a lot of work to me) or just make your own fillings and cookies and buy your shells from FancyFlours. 

These shells by Confiseur are sold on FancyFlours website and they are completely sterilized, finely cut and precisely manipulated to offer a smooth and perfect edge. (This is why I don't attempt to make these myself!) 

The shells are available in natural white, brown, silver and gold sprayed, they are perfect for either hot or cold fillings, sweet or savory ingredients or any other kind of application imaginable.

Makes an absolutely stunning presentation for your dessert table or tray. Set of 10 perfectly cut egg shell vessels.

Puff Pastry Swans

For a flourish at the end of your meal, don't serve wedding cake but serve these puff pastry swans. Beautiful, creative, and depending on your skill level, you can make them yourself. My first attempt looked like drunk swans, so don't depend on your first try for your wedding day. Also this may be a DIY (Do It Yourself)project to have an aunt or friend make for your wedding--it will take time to assemble and you'll be pretty busy the week of your wedding. But if you're lucky enough to have someone willing to make these for you or if your local diner or bakery can make them for you, the dessert table for your wedding reception will knock their socks off!

Make Your Own Cupcake Fondue

I've seen fondue with cheese and bread, with cheese and fruit, with meat or shrimp and hot oil, and even pound cake fondue for desserts, but a cupcake fondue was new to me until I came across it on Bake It Pretty's Blog(a creative blog that everyone should read!) Amanda posted a recipe from her guest blog stint on Pint Size Social. And I have to admit I love the concept!

Whether you serve this fondue at a wedding shower or use it on a sweet table, or as a centerpiece for each table this cupcake fondue is a show stopper.

The fondue itself is a basic icing (recipe) and you make some mini cupcakes perfectly sized for dipping. Surround your fondue pot with little cups, each of which is filled with jimmies(or sprinkles depending on which part of the country you are from), coconut, some chopped nuts (I like almonds but walnuts would work too), or any other decorative topping you think would look pretty.

Simply place the mini cupcake on the fork, dip in the icing, then add the decorative toppings to make a delicious dessert that is sweet and pretty! I was thinking I'd really like some with chopped candy bars to use as a topping--yum! Oh the calories! OK, I admit it, I have a HUGE sweet tooth!

The final look (and taste) is pretty and I love interactive food! And you have to admit, this is so much better than chips and dip if you're thinking interactive food! Cupcakes with fondue icing dip with candy or nuts on top...what more could you ask for?