Wedding cupcakes keep popping up again and again as a way to save money on your wedding or adding a bit of modern taste to the reception. But what’s the truth? Are cupcakes really a good alternative to a wedding cake? Will your parents insist on you having a cake? Will you want to save the cake in the freezer and have a piece each year on your anniversary?
This is the big question, isn’t it? Wedding cakes can start at $350-$550 depending on the size, how many guests you have, etc. When wedding cupcakes first became a trend, they were touted 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 cupcake 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. We suggest investing in one of these at a party supply place (Party City, Hobby Lobby) or even department store, may be cheaper than renting from a bakery and you can re-use!
On the other hand, it is easier for a non-professional baker (like a family member) 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. Also, will you really eat a freezer burned cake after more than one year? In the end, it all comes down to choices and what makes you, the bride, happy. This is your day after all.
Here are some little extras that make your wedding cupcakes special, but also might not break the bank.
Specialty cupcake liners (price can vary)
To match your wedding colors approx. $0.10 each
Fancy laser cut cupcake liners approx. $1 each
