Welcome to Wedding Wisdom! Every week, JET experts will help you plan your dream nuptials from engagement to “I do.” This week, wedding planner and bride-to-be Tami Smallwood, CEO of blush|WEDDING & EVENT PLANNING FIRM, weighs the pros and cons of cake and/or cupcakes at a reception.
Photo courtesy of Cellar Door Photography.
There are so many things to decide when it comes to your wedding. From the gown to who should walk mom down the aisle, but one of the most daunting decisions I help couples make: Should we serve a traditional cake or cupcakes at our reception? There are pros and cons to each selection and hopefully you will have a solid choice after reading this column.
Traditional wedding cakes are perfect for formal weddings where cutlery is needed. Cupcakes allow for guests to forgo the fork…and the plate for that matter. Can you image your guests in a full-length gown or tuxedo chowing down on a cupcake?
A full-blown wedding cake can have one-up over the cupcake because of the ability to visually communicate your design style. It’s like having a blank canvas or a lump of clay. You can mold it into anything. Some brides have even replicated their wedding dresses in their cake design.
Cupcakes prevail, when it comes to the number of flavor choices presented to guest—only because cake flavors are limited to the number of tiers in the cake. You can have as many cupcakes as flavors you desire.
Hands down, cupcakes are the winners in the pricing category, cutting the price per person in half (in most cases).
Wedding cakes, however, take the lead in tradition. History states that partaking in wedding cake can bring good luck to the guests, as well as the bridal couple.
The respect category also claims the cake. People have more regard for the esteemed wedding cake (specifically knowing to look and not touch), but the cute little delectable cupcakes are so irresistible that guests may nab a few before it’s time (trust me, we’ve seen it happen).
At the end of the day, your decision should be based on the environment that you’ve created. Whether it’s elaborate and formal, laid-back and casual or somewhere in between, your dessert selection should be reflection of your wedding focus. If you are a formal bride who has as affection for the cupcake confection, here are a few pointers:
Place your cupcakes in a location where they can be admired, but not readily available for your guests. Upscale cupcake boutiques are able to create fabulous presentations structures that will emphasize your reception décor. Pin spot lighting is a great way to highlight your cupcake arrangement.
In order to maintain dining formality, have your cupcakes served on decorative plates to your guest by the catering staff with tea or coffee. Having them served can make for a better presentation.
Still can’t take decide? Have the best of both worlds. It is perfectly acceptable to serve the cake of your dreams during the reception, then give boxed cupcakes as parting gifts for your guests. Either way, let them eat cake.
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