Kaley Cuoco and Ryan Sweeting’s wedding cake; image taken from Instagram
From cupcakes to tiered cakes to upside-down cakes (see above for Kaley Cuoco and Ryan Sweeting’s upside-down version!), there are options aplenty out there for a sweet treat on your big day. But with the cost of throwing a wedding on the rise and traditions changing, do you still need a cake? I chatted to Leonie Muller of Cape Town’s Sugar and Spice Bakery(and the talented baker I’ve trusted to make my own wedding cupcakes) to find out, here.
Is a wedding cake outdated?
“They’ve certainly declined in popularity, with couples opting instead for cupcakes,” observes Leonie. “But I think it’s more due to budget constraints than anything else. Most brides still love the tradition of cutting a cake, especially for their photographs, and their families often also expect there to be a cake of some sort, so I think it’s still an important element of your big day. Happily, though, cupcakes instead of a cake can satisfy both tradition and your budget.”
So, what’s the big deal about wedding cupcakes?
“There are so many good reasons to choose cupcakes over a traditional, tiered wedding cake! First of all, it’s much easier to cater to a range of guests’ tastes – you can order cupcakes in a variety of different flavours without drastically pushing up costs. Then there’s the reduction in wastage (which also means money saved): most wedding cakes go with large portions uneaten, while cupcakes can be individually handed out to guests, and you can order a specific number based on your guest numbers. Another bonus: wedding venues often charge a ‘slice and serve’ fee for wedding cakes (they normally charge per guest for cutting and serving cake slices), but cupcakes obviously don’t require this service.”
What are you seeing a lot of when it comes to wedding cupcakes?
“Red and blue velvet cupcakes are by far the most popular,” says Leonie. “Rainbow cupcakes are coming in a close third. And most of the brides I cater for order cupcakes accompanied by a smaller, 17cm cake at the top, which still allows them to cut something for photographs.”
Help! I’m on a tight budget – what cupcake varieties would you suggest to save cash?
“The quickest way to save is to steer clear of detailed and time-consuming decor elements,” explains Leonie. “For example, decorating cupcakes with icing roses will immediately push up costs, because they’re labour intensive. Instead, ask your supplier for edible glitter sprinkled over icing – simple, effective and affordable. Next, opt for classic flavours, like chocolate or vanilla, and a buttercream icing, which are all easier to produce. If you’re also ordering a small cake to cut, buy lengths of ribbon to match your colour scheme and give these to your supplier for decoration – much cheaper but still beautiful!”
Edible glitter = affordable cupcake decor!
What’s another clever money-saving tip?
“I really recommend that brides double up their wedding cupcakes as favours – buy small, simple boxes from a wholesaler and package your cupcakes individually, placing one at each of your guests’ places. A delicious gift that saves you cash!”
See how cupcakes can be packaged as favours?
Leonie’s DOs for choosing your supplier
DO make a tasting appointment before you pay for anything – “It’s the most reliable way to ensure you’ll get the quality you’re looking for,” says Leonie.
DO ask around for word-of-mouth references as “the best way to gauge how good a supplier will be.”
DO bring lots of pictures and colour swatches to your meeting with your supplier, “to enable the baker to give you his or her professional opinion about what you want, and to ensure your vision is properly understood,” explains Leonie.
DO let your supplier know if you’re on a tight budget. “If they know this in advance, they won’t waste anyone’s time coming up with ideas beyond your budget and, chances are, they’ll work harder to make your money go further,” says Leonie.
DO ask your supplier how soon they begin baking before an event. “Ideally, you want your cake or cupcakes to be baked no more than a day before your big day to preserve freshness,” suggests Leonie.
DO remember to order a few extra cupcakes for the suppliers who you’re catering for on the day. “No one can resist a delicious cupcake,” laughs Leonie. “So chances are your DJ or photographer will want to enjoy one, too.”
DO make sure your reception venue has air con. “If there’s no air con, let your baker know so they can store your cake or cupcake in a cool place for as long as possible before putting on display. SA’s warm weather is a guaranteed way to melt icing!”
A sneak peak at Sarah’s cupcakes: samples by Sugar and Spice Bakery
Are you having a wedding cake or cupcakes? Tweet us at @GLAMOUR_sa with #GLAMWedding to share.
Sarah Browning, 24, is the managing editor of GLAMOUR. She moved to SA from London three years ago and lives in Cape Town. In this #GLAMWedding Wedding Blog, Sarah’s sharing her wedding-planning journey with you. Join the conversation! Tweet your thoughts to Sarah via @GLAMOUR_sa using #GLAMWedding. To find out more about Sugar and Spice Bakery and Leonie’s creations, click here or email [email protected].
Follow Sarah on Twitter: @sarahmbrowning
Find out more about the #GLAMWedding blog here!
