Cupcakes vs. Wedding Cakes: Which one is better?
Wedding cupcakes keep popping up again and again in the media as a way to save money on your wedding or add a bit of whimsy to the reception. But what's the truth? Are cupcakes really a good alternative to a wedding cake? Based on cost, style, and tradition, which one will win?
COST:
When wedding cupcakes first became a trend, they were advertised as a great way to save money: spend a buck or two for a cupcake rather than $4 or $5 per slice for cake. But bakers soon caught on that doing wedding cupcakes are just as much work, if not more, than a traditional cake. Every single one of these cupcakes has to be baked and iced. If you're doing specialty decorations, you'll need one for each cupcake. And, most bakeries will rent you a cake stand, but you might have to purchase a cupcake stand.
On the other hand, it is easier for a non-professional baker to put together 150 cupcakes than trying to make an elaborate tiered cake. It's also easier to dress up grocery store cupcakes than it is to try to make a cheap wedding cake look fancy. In the end, it all comes down to choices.
Here are some little extras that make your wedding cupcakes special, but also might blow your budget:
• Specialty cupcake liners
To match your wedding colors approximately $0.10 each
Fancy laser cut cupcake liners approximately $1 each
• Sugar flowers
They could run between $0.30 - $9 per flower
• Monogrammed fondant hearts
Approximately $1 each
• Mini bride and groom cupcake toppers
Approximately $7.50 each
• Cupcake Stands
Wire stands that holds 38 cupcakes cost approximately $39.99
Acrylic and Mirror-finish Stands (7 tier) stands that holds 120 cupcakes cost approximately $69.99
Cardboard stands that holds 36-40 cupcakes cost approximately $4.79
Which one works best: A tie! When it comes down to the bottom line, you can do cupcakes more inexpensively than you can buy a wedding cake, but in the end being memorable is a valuable commodity. And it's cheaper to have a memorable wedding cake than to decorate each individual cupcake.
STYLE:
There's something so whimsically childlike about unwrapping a cupcake. And that's what people both love and hate about wedding cupcakes because they are fun and familiar but can be too casual and unsophisticated.
If you're having a formal wedding, you may want to stick with a grand and formal wedding cake. If your wedding guests are traditional people, they might think cupcakes are too casual, or worse, cheap.
But if you're having a relaxed reception where fun is the primary goal, tell everyone to be a kid again and grab a cupcake. Once they're up and having fun on the dance floor, they won't have to sit again for dessert. They'll just grab a cupcake and keep on groovin'.
Which one works best: Cupcakes! There's just a bit more punch to a cupcake. You can dress them up or down, but they'll always be fun.
TRADITION:
Wedding cakes have been the standard for over 100 years, and you may be sad to give up the traditions associated with them. Cupcakes barely leaves room for a cake topper, and the customary cake cutting looks a little comical when your cake is only 3 inches wide. But brides and grooms have found a way to have their cake and eat it too: get a small 6" cake to sit on the top of your cupcake tower. You can use this for the ceremonial cake cutting, and then freeze the rest for your 1-year anniversary.
Which one works best: Wedding Cake! Come on, this winner was a given. Even with all the tips I've given you, cupcakes will never be as elegantly traditional as wedding cake.
Overall, it's a tie! With the pros and cons you’ve come up with, and the help of a few tips I've given you here, you can figure out which is best for your wedding.
Showing posts with label reception. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reception. Show all posts
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Grooms Must Do Wedding Calendar
Grooms Must Do Wedding Calendar
Grooms come in two basic types. Type A has approached wedding planning with enthusiasm, readily checking out reception venues, offering an opinion on invitation designs, and compiling well-thought-out wine lists. Type B hasn't done anything wedding-related since the proposal. Guys, if you're an A, congrats and don't stop the momentum; there's still a lot to do. If you're a B and want to upgrade, check out the calendar below, with its list of must-do and optional groom's duties.
12 Months Before
Propose. OK, hopefully you have done that already, or you wouldn't be reading (or being forced to read) this blog.
Tell your parents. They like her already, so how tough could this be?
Talk numbers. Who's going to pay for the wedding? Her parents, yours, the two of you, or some combination of the above? Discuss it with all relevant parties. Be honest, be brave, and be real.
9 Months Before
Visit the officiant with your fiancée. The officiant is the man or woman who will marry you and possibly give you premarital counseling.
Write half of the guest list. Your fiancée knows your closest friends and relatives, but what about Cousin Robert from Chicago. Write down a wish list of everyone you would like to invite; plan on whittling it down later when you compare notes.
Register for gifts. You'll be dining off the plates and drinking from the glasses for the rest of your life, too, so unless you don't mind staring at pink china for a few decades, offer an opinion if your fiancée gets too girly with her choices. Think of this as your opportunity to pick out things you both like.
Choose your best man and ushers. Pick people with whom you have a strong bond.
Go see photographers, caterers, bakers, and the rest. Do it because you love her—and because you might get some free food and cake.
6 Months Before
Arrange the honeymoon. Think about places that have always fascinated you. Consider your hobbies when look for a place.
3 Months Before
Figure out your clothes. The guys in your wedding party wear the same thing you do. If it's a tuxedo or morning coat, you all need to be fitted. E-mail everyone the details: store name and address, when to go, what to order.
Shop for wedding rings. Guys, you do get one of these.
Deal with the rehearsal dinner. If you're following tradition, this meal's on you or your parents. Ask your fiancée if she has a restaurant in mind.
Sign up for dance lessons. Get a few moves down and you'll feel okay when 200 pairs of eyes are staring at you.
1 Month Before
Write the vows. This is the ultimate way to personalize your ceremony.
2 Weeks Before
Get the marriage license. This is usually issued by your local county clerk. Call first to see what, if any, special paperwork you need, such as blood tests (log on to www.usmarriagelaws.com). Don't put this off—most states have a one- to five-day waiting period between the time the license is issued and the marriage ceremony.
Day before the Wedding
Grooming. Get your hair cut, trim your beard, or get a manicure. Do whatever you need to do to look your best that day.
Day of the Wedding
Greet your guest during the receiving line.
Perform the first dance.
Do a slow dance with each mom.
Make a toast. Grab the mike and say a brief and heartfelt thanks to your bride, her parents, your parents, and the guests.
Grooms come in two basic types. Type A has approached wedding planning with enthusiasm, readily checking out reception venues, offering an opinion on invitation designs, and compiling well-thought-out wine lists. Type B hasn't done anything wedding-related since the proposal. Guys, if you're an A, congrats and don't stop the momentum; there's still a lot to do. If you're a B and want to upgrade, check out the calendar below, with its list of must-do and optional groom's duties.
12 Months Before
Propose. OK, hopefully you have done that already, or you wouldn't be reading (or being forced to read) this blog.
Tell your parents. They like her already, so how tough could this be?
Talk numbers. Who's going to pay for the wedding? Her parents, yours, the two of you, or some combination of the above? Discuss it with all relevant parties. Be honest, be brave, and be real.
9 Months Before
Visit the officiant with your fiancée. The officiant is the man or woman who will marry you and possibly give you premarital counseling.
Write half of the guest list. Your fiancée knows your closest friends and relatives, but what about Cousin Robert from Chicago. Write down a wish list of everyone you would like to invite; plan on whittling it down later when you compare notes.
Register for gifts. You'll be dining off the plates and drinking from the glasses for the rest of your life, too, so unless you don't mind staring at pink china for a few decades, offer an opinion if your fiancée gets too girly with her choices. Think of this as your opportunity to pick out things you both like.
Choose your best man and ushers. Pick people with whom you have a strong bond.
Go see photographers, caterers, bakers, and the rest. Do it because you love her—and because you might get some free food and cake.
6 Months Before
Arrange the honeymoon. Think about places that have always fascinated you. Consider your hobbies when look for a place.
3 Months Before
Figure out your clothes. The guys in your wedding party wear the same thing you do. If it's a tuxedo or morning coat, you all need to be fitted. E-mail everyone the details: store name and address, when to go, what to order.
Shop for wedding rings. Guys, you do get one of these.
Deal with the rehearsal dinner. If you're following tradition, this meal's on you or your parents. Ask your fiancée if she has a restaurant in mind.
Sign up for dance lessons. Get a few moves down and you'll feel okay when 200 pairs of eyes are staring at you.
1 Month Before
Write the vows. This is the ultimate way to personalize your ceremony.
2 Weeks Before
Get the marriage license. This is usually issued by your local county clerk. Call first to see what, if any, special paperwork you need, such as blood tests (log on to www.usmarriagelaws.com). Don't put this off—most states have a one- to five-day waiting period between the time the license is issued and the marriage ceremony.
Day before the Wedding
Grooming. Get your hair cut, trim your beard, or get a manicure. Do whatever you need to do to look your best that day.
Day of the Wedding
Greet your guest during the receiving line.
Perform the first dance.
Do a slow dance with each mom.
Make a toast. Grab the mike and say a brief and heartfelt thanks to your bride, her parents, your parents, and the guests.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Chic (but Cheap) Wedding Tips
Chic (but Cheap) Wedding Tips
In lifestyle expert Colin Cowie's new book, "Wedding Chic," he shares 1001 ideas for a more memorable "I do." I chose five tips for the budget-conscious bride-to-be.
1. Your decor doesn't have to revolve around expensive flowers. Choose flowers that will be in season during your big day and grown locally or at least domestically, if possible. When it comes to your decor, try incorporating alternative materials like shells, moss, and vines. Also, for your centerpieces, use fruits and vegetables, beautiful greens, and other non-floral elements to add dimension.
2. Instead of renting out your neighborhood banquet hall, consider an elegant dinner with guests seated at one long table or a barbecue on the beach. For a destination wedding that doesn't cost a fortune, take over a country inn or bed-and-breakfast.
3. A big trend right now is to serve miniature wedding cakes. They're unique and extremely popular among guests. But they're also pricey. Create the same effect for less with elaborate cupcakes.
4. Flowers made from cake icing can cost a lot. A good alternative is to incorporate real, nontoxic flowers into your cake, between tiers or as garland. And instead of a cake topper, opt for personalizing your cake with your initials, the date, or a favorite line of poetry.
5. The cocktail reception, champagne is synonymous with weddings. If, however, champagne isn't in your budget, serve a sparkling wine. Add a splash of cranberry or pomegranate juice for a dose of elegance. You might also consider rimming the glass with caramel or sugar for an added touch.
Charity Designer Events
Events That Exceed Your Expectations, Every time!!
1-877-SOW-IN-2-U
1-877-769-4628
www.cdevents.biz
Email: info@cdevents.biz
In lifestyle expert Colin Cowie's new book, "Wedding Chic," he shares 1001 ideas for a more memorable "I do." I chose five tips for the budget-conscious bride-to-be.
1. Your decor doesn't have to revolve around expensive flowers. Choose flowers that will be in season during your big day and grown locally or at least domestically, if possible. When it comes to your decor, try incorporating alternative materials like shells, moss, and vines. Also, for your centerpieces, use fruits and vegetables, beautiful greens, and other non-floral elements to add dimension.
2. Instead of renting out your neighborhood banquet hall, consider an elegant dinner with guests seated at one long table or a barbecue on the beach. For a destination wedding that doesn't cost a fortune, take over a country inn or bed-and-breakfast.
3. A big trend right now is to serve miniature wedding cakes. They're unique and extremely popular among guests. But they're also pricey. Create the same effect for less with elaborate cupcakes.
4. Flowers made from cake icing can cost a lot. A good alternative is to incorporate real, nontoxic flowers into your cake, between tiers or as garland. And instead of a cake topper, opt for personalizing your cake with your initials, the date, or a favorite line of poetry.
5. The cocktail reception, champagne is synonymous with weddings. If, however, champagne isn't in your budget, serve a sparkling wine. Add a splash of cranberry or pomegranate juice for a dose of elegance. You might also consider rimming the glass with caramel or sugar for an added touch.
Charity Designer Events
Events That Exceed Your Expectations, Every time!!
1-877-SOW-IN-2-U
1-877-769-4628
www.cdevents.biz
Email: info@cdevents.biz
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