Wedding Trends 2009: Cupcakes for Wedding Cakes

Cupcakes for Wedding

With the new year fast approaching, you will hear a lot of predictions about 2009 Wedding Trends.  Just like runway fashion shows where some of the trendy clothes designed by talented couturier will catch on and some will fall out of favor, wedding trends are also subject to public approvals.  We will talk about predictions of 2009 wedding trends, but bear in mind that these are just for information only.  Use them as guides as you plan your 2009 wedding.  Remember that your wedding should be a reflection of who you are and what feels right for you and your groom.  If any of these trends appeal to you, then go for it.

Cupcakes for Wedding Cakes

We will present one or more 2009 wedding trends in our blog for the next few days.  Our first emerging trend today is using cupcakes instead of a traditional wedding cake in your wedding reception.  I think this trend will catch on because cupcakes are not only less expensive than traditional wedding cakes, and in this economy we are wise to look for less expensive ways. Cupcakes they are also versatile.  They can be made in a variety of flavors, unlike the uni-flavor wedding cake.  This gives different options for your guests to pick.  Cupcakes are also easy to make and can be made up to 3 weeks in advance.  All you need is to freeze them in air-tight bags till they are needed.  Take them out at least 8 hours before the reception so they can thaw to serving temperature.  Find recipes for cupcakes for you to try before the wedding.  If you do not want to bother with baking the cupcakes, get some from any bakery and decorate them to dress them up.

Some ideas for decoration:

• Sprinkles, jimmies, nonpareils, colored (sanding) sugar, edible glitter, Dragees, sugar pearls – find them at the Bakers Kitchen
• Chocolate Hearts, chocolate kisses, chocolate slivers – from candy stores
• Sugar Flowers  – find them at Sweet Fields
• Real Flowers (edible flowers)  – find them at Sunset Farms Flowers

One drawback of having cupcakes instead of wedding cake is the lost of the traditional “cake cutting” ceremony.  The cupcake is not large enough to slice and feed each other.  There’s also no need for cake knife and server, although that would mean more savings for you.  If you want your cake cutting in your wedding, add a small wedding cake at the top of the cupcake tiered display for that. Or, you can hold your cupcake and each of you take a small nibble while your photographer document the moment.

Photo Credits: All cupcake images from Cake That except for Cupcake Wedding Cake (Rosie’s Bakery), and Chocolate Cupcake Tree  (Westchester Weddings)