Tag: wedding cake

WEDDING CUPCAKE CENTERPIECE IDEA

From time to time, I step back from the music posts and try to offer some ideas in other aspects of wedding planning. In an earlier post, I briefly discussed how I have been seeing how more and more weddings are featuring “wedding cupcakes” in and around Albany, NY.

Have you seen this idea yet? This is where very well-decorated cupcakes are stacked in layers as the official wedding cake, with a small cake on the top for cutting purposes. To make it even more fun, the wedding cupcakes provided are all different flavors to satisfy a wide variety of tastes such as, chocolates, vanillas, marbles, and even my personal favorite cream cheese carrot cake.

I just recently had a great carrot cupcake, or two maybe, but who is counting? I think it was from Cocodot’s creations at a wedding last summer at The Franklin Terrace Ballroom, 126 Campbell Avenue, Troy, NY. It was soooo good, with raisens and nuts and creamcheese frosting; such a treat from the regular boring wedding cake that nobody even eats.

This is a great way to offer different kinds of gourmet cakes and frostings to make everyone happy. I have been to a lot of weddings and it is often safe to say that the traditional cake more times than not gets over looked. Therefore, this new change up is often an idea that is welcomed and “eaten up” by the guests.

This past week I saw a new twist to this new idea, as the cupcakes were finely detailed and decorated and actually became part of the theme/decor throughout the hall on little stands.

USE CUPCAKES AS A DECORATION

The bride and groom actually had small circular tiers as the center pieces at each one of the guests’ dinner tables with the decorated cupcakes placed on them like little wedding cakes. I had never seen this before, but this was kind of neat, in that people could eat the cupcakes whenever they wanted.

It was a simple idea is not only tasty, new and fun, but it also saves money! Putting the dessert out as the center pieces saved money in decoration costs, as the center pieces are typically not provided by the banquet hall. Also, I believe, this cake option saves additional money from having to pay “the cutting fee,” where the kitchen has to cut up and dish out the cake to all the guests.

Look into it! If you tried it, you would love it! Below is a gallery we threw together to give you some ideas. But in the end, most wedding bakers are very cooperative and creative and will work with you to customize your wedding cupcakes exactly to your liking.

WEDDING CUPCAKE DISPLAY IDEAS GALLERY

So… Umm… When do we cut the wedding cake?

The activity of celebrating the wedding cake has been an important part of the wedding reception since the days of Ancient Rome. During that time period, things were a little different. There was no stacking and there was no crazy decorating. There was, however, a simple wheat cake crumbled over the bride’s head and into her hair. Sound odd? There was a reason. Wheat at this time to this culture was a symbol that represented bounty, so this messy tradition was carried out to ensure her fertility.

Today, many things have changed at the wedding reception. While we may seem more civilized to pour crumbs over the head of the new bride, we do carry on a twist to the old cake tradition. Instead, now the bride and groom hold a knife together and cut the cake together. In some cases, the groom lovingly smashes the cake in the glowing bride’s face; Not a far cry from the old tradition after all. This new tradition continues with the top of the layered cake is now saved for the bride and groom to eat, one year later on their first anniversary.

The first wedding I ever DJ’ed at where there was no cake cutting happened last week. Do you have to cut the cake? Technically no. However, cutting the cake gives your guests and your photographer a great photo opportunity and lets them all celebrate your marriage with you, and your creativity of cake choice.

I have heard that there seems to be a constant battle, of late, between the DJ and/or wedding planners and the wedding hall/ caterers on when the best time it is to cut the cake at your wedding reception. Well, what is the answer?

Traditionally, the cake should be cut towards the end of the evening. Think about it. After eating a big meal, dessert isn’t always right on the guests’ minds, but could be after an hour or two of dancing. Some also choose to do the cutting right after the dinner so that everyone can dance the night away without any interruptions, but again, the cake often isn’t eaten then, if at all, until later.

One thing to keep in mind… If you do notice that during your reception, the hall is seeming to nag you for the cake to be cut and eaten right away, they probably have a hidden agenda. Sometimes they truly just want to get it out of the way. Other times, however, having the cake cutting activity done early is often a cost-cutting factor for the hall; the hall can send home their extra staff when the serving is done and then save extra money on payroll!

Whatever you chose to do, do what feels right for you! Here are some song ideas to play while the cake is being cut:

Destiny – Jim Brickman
Can You Feel The Love Tonight? – Elton John
Recipe For Making Love – Harry Connick, Jr.
I Got You Babe – Sonny and Cher
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
Thank You – Led Zeppelin
The Sweetest Thing – U2
Sugar, Sugar – The Archies
Wedding Song – Bob Dylan
Unbroken – Tim McGraw
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Ain’t That A Kick In The Head – Dean Martin
Chapel Of Love – Dixie Cups
Love You Madly – Cake
Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
When I’m Sixty-Four – The Beatles
Love And Marriage – Frank Sinatra
That’s Amore – Dean Martin
Grow Old With You – Adam Sandler
Eat it – Weird Al Yankovic
After All Is Said And Done – Beyoncé Knowles & Marc Nelson
1, 2, 3, 4 – Plain White T’s
‘Cause I love You – Lenny Williams
Whatever It is – Zac Brown Band
One Love – Bob Marley
Here and Now – Luther Vandross
I Do (Cherish You) – 98 Degrees
Cut The Cake – Average White Band
All My Life – K-Ci & JoJo
Yummy Yummy Yummy – Ohio Express
Sweet Emotion – Aerosmith
Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – Four Tops