Cupcake Flavor Ettiquette

[Deleted User] · January 2013

The Dessert Bar Ettiquette post below made me think of this.

We are having cupcakes and a small cake for cutting. The top tier is for us to save, and the layer we will cut is the second layer down. We'll cut that layer, but it will be saved as well for the brunch the next day (it's what the cake baker recommended).

So everyone at the wedding is getting cupcakes. None of the half cake, half cupcakes conundrum. However, we are having 4 flavors. The baker recommended just doing 25% of each flavor, but I feel like if there were several flavors, I might try at least two.

I'm a dessert person, though. And I have no shame about eating a billion cupcakes.

Further, we will update the cake person closer to the date, but we are thinking we will have about 200 people, and the baker said order 200 cupcakes. I feel like we should over-order in case people want to try a few. Obviously we're not going to order one cupcake in every flavor for every guest (I mean, right?), but what DO we do? I was thinking about 1.5 cupcakes per person. So. 300 cupcakes for 200 people. I don't know.

AddieCake · January 2013

What size are the cupcakes? We were worried about this,too, but since the cupcakes were rather large, we decided one was enough b/c if we were serving cake, people would only expect one flavor and one slice. We had 3 flavors and ordered 25 of each flavor; we had about 60 guests, I think, and we still had a lot left over. Our bakery also had the option of doing mini cupcakes, which we considered, so that guests could have more than one flavor. Is that an option?

J&K10910 · January 2013

Well, not everyone will eat a cupcake, either. We had 100 people, and got cake (cheesecake) with 125 slices. We probably served about 75 slices. I think 300 cupcakes for 200 people might be too many.

Also, bakery cupcakes are so rich, and often large. I can barely eat one. If I wanted to try more than one flavor, I'd split with H, so we'd still each only one.

daria24 · January 2013

We ordered 100 cupcakes and we had 92 guests. We had exactly 1 cupcake left at the end of the night.

We didn't order equal numbers of flavors, since we both knew our families didn't typically eat vanilla cake. We had four flavors-two chocolate ones, two vanilla ones. 30 of each chocolate, 20 of each vanilla. The cupcake at the end of the night? a vanilla one!

We also had minicupcake as favors and those were decimated as well, so if you are ONLY have the cupcakes for dessert, I would order 1.5 times your guest list to make sure you have enough. Our cupcakes were not the huge Crumbs style ones, so since they were smaller, you could easily eat 2.

libby2483 · January 2013

We served two flavors of cupcakes at our wedding. We ordered 200 cupcakes, 100 of each flavor. We had about 150 guests, and at the end of the night, we had about 20 cupcakes left over.

However, to prevent everyone from taking two to try both flavors (and running out of cupcakes), we had our venue serve the cupcakes on platters to each table. Guests could choose what flavor they wanted, but it prevented people from just serving themselves and taking two. Then, we put the remaining cupcakes on a table near the dance floor, and people helped themselves to the leftovers throughout the evening.

J&K10910 · January 2013

Also, if you're concerned that someone might not get any while someone else eats three, you can always have the first one served at the tables after dinner to ensure everyone has an equal chance to have one.

[Deleted User] · January 2013

Are there any other desserts at the wedding? We're doing cupcakes as well, but just ordering enough for everyone (3 flavors, split 3 ways equally). However, we also have a dessert room that will have a bunch of other stuff, so I don't think everyone's even going to eat the cupcake with all the pastries, bananas foster, flaming coffees, cannolis, and ice cream. If there aren't any other desserts, I might order about 50 more cupcakes. 100 seems a lot, but 50 would give some wiggle room if people do want 2.

J&K10910 · January 2013

Also, I may be in the minority here, but I don't view dessert the same way I view apps or dinner.

It's dessert. It's an extra, sweet treat for after the meal. People don't need 2 or 3 the way they might need a few apps before dinner, or the way you need enough food to satisfy everyone. And if someone honestly complained to me about only getting one cupcake after getting plenty of "real" food, I would look at them like they had 3 heads.

willywally5 · January 2013

Baker for DD's wedding said to figure 1.5 cupcakes per guest attending. There were four flavors, divvied up equally. We had maybe a dozen left, if that.

Avion22 · January 2013

We did cupcakes as favors (they were boxed up)....I think we over-ordered by maybe 20%, and ended up having only a few left over (enough for H and I to try each flavor). We had one at each place setting, and all of the extras were set up on a table by the door. Those things went like hotcakes! But we kinda figured, is there any such thing as TOO MANY CUPCAKES? No.

As a guest, I don't think I'd take more than one cupcake unless it was REALLY obvious that there were enough for people to have seconds. Otherwise, I'd make H get one flavor, I'd get another, and we'd share.

Dreamergirl8812 · January 2013

Has anyone else just suffered a massive sugar craving?

SmallenForever · January 2013

We are ordering one per person in chocolate and strawberry. Our baker strongly recommended against having too many choices as people might take too many or take too long to decide. Cupcakes aren't our only dessert though.

AddieCake · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cupcake-flavor-ettiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:93ab722a-b30b-4e16-8083-462b0b7a7435Post:ad488965-2e7e-41b2-bcd1-04c801cea375">Re: Cupcake Flavor Ettiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]Has anyone else just suffered a massive sugar craving?
Posted by Dreamergirl8812[/QUOTE]

<div>Funny you should ask. Between this and some FB recipe sharing pics, I couldn't take it anymore and was forced to go make a cake. And there's nobody home to eat it but me! </div>

Jen4948 · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cupcake-flavor-ettiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:93ab722a-b30b-4e16-8083-462b0b7a7435Post:e503ab1a-b6a9-4e5e-9534-e8016f1eec02">Re: Cupcake Flavor Ettiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]Also, I may be in the minority here, but I don't view dessert the same way I view apps or dinner. It's dessert. It's an extra, sweet treat for after the meal. People don't need 2 or 3 the way they might need a few apps before dinner, or the way you need enough food to satisfy everyone. And if someone honestly complained to me about only getting one cupcake after getting plenty of "real" food, I would look at them like they had 3 heads.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

There still needs to be enough of each course for everyone served-even dessert. Shorting guests on dessert just because it's "dessert" would be rude.

J&K10910 · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cupcake-flavor-ettiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:93ab722a-b30b-4e16-8083-462b0b7a7435Post:9cbb757c-e56a-4be4-b6e2-763e3d8092b0">Re: Cupcake Flavor Ettiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Cupcake Flavor Ettiquette : There still needs to be enough of each course for everyone served-even dessert. Shorting guests on dessert just because it's "dessert" would be rude.
Posted by Jen4948[/QUOTE]

I don't think you read my post correctly. I did not say I wouldn't have a problem with shorting guests on dessert. But I don't think that only having enough for people to have ONE dessert is shorting them. I don't have any idea where you got that I'm running around advocating for people to not have enough dessert for all their guests. I just don't think that people need 2-3 desserts.

lauralaur · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cupcake-flavor-ettiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:93ab722a-b30b-4e16-8083-462b0b7a7435Post:e503ab1a-b6a9-4e5e-9534-e8016f1eec02">Re: Cupcake Flavor Ettiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]Also, I may be in the minority here, but I don't view dessert the same way I view apps or dinner. It's dessert. It's an extra, sweet treat for after the meal. People don't need 2 or 3 the way they might need a few apps before dinner, or the way you need enough food to satisfy everyone. And if someone honestly complained to me about only getting one cupcake after getting plenty of "real" food, I would look at them like they had 3 heads.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

I always take extra dessert if I can because I'm a picky eater and typically don't get enough to eat through the salad, apps and entree. The last wedding I went to I didn't eat any of my entree. So I would be that person seeking extra dessert if possible.

But ditto others, how big are your cupcakes? If they're big I'm only going to eat one and H and I would try each other's cupcakes to get the different flavors. Or, if I was there with family, I might swap some bites with my SILs. And I second (third?) having the waiters place them at the tables.

misshart00 · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cupcake-flavor-ettiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:93ab722a-b30b-4e16-8083-462b0b7a7435Post:6b2f6878-8435-4e19-83bc-2d23bddec02e">Re: Cupcake Flavor Ettiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Cupcake Flavor Ettiquette : Funny you should ask. Between this and some FB recipe sharing pics, I couldn't take it anymore and was forced to go make a cake. And there's nobody home to eat it but me!
Posted by AddieL73[/QUOTE]

Way off topic, but have you seen the recipe floating around on pinterest to make two cupcakes? I love it because I don't have a whole cake sitting in my kitchen begging me to eat it.

Cackle6 · January 2013

We were able to wait for a final guest count to come in before we finalized the order. We ended up with 170 guests and went with 4 dozen of each of our 4 flavors, so 192 cupcakes. We ended up with around a dozen assorted flavors at the end of the night. So I think ordering some extra is a good idea, but 1.5 times seems a bit much to me. There are always going to be a few people who won't eat dessert at all to make up for the few people who might take two, or at least that's how it worked out for us.

This makes me want to order cupcakes from our baker! They were so freaking good. Too bad he's all the way in MN. Boooo.

hsundermeyer · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cupcake-flavor-ettiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:93ab722a-b30b-4e16-8083-462b0b7a7435Post:f83a7a73-a594-4f08-a3a9-9719361c22cf">Re: Cupcake Flavor Ettiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]We were able to wait for a final guest count to come in before we finalized the order. We ended up with 170 guests and went with 4 dozen of each of our 4 flavors, so 192 cupcakes. We ended up with around a dozen assorted flavors at the end of the night. So I think ordering some extra is a good idea, but 1.5 times seems a bit much to me. There are always going to be a few people who won't eat dessert at all to make up for the few people who might take two, or at least that's how it worked out for us. This makes me want to order cupcakes from our baker! They were so freaking good. Too bad he's all the way in MN. Boooo.
Posted by Cackle6[/QUOTE]

Interesting...I still need to find a bakery and I live in MN...what was your bakery?

cbleighb · January 2013

I own a cupcake bakery and here's what I tell my brides: For regular sized cupcakes order 1 - 1.25 cupcakes per guest. For minis order 1.5 - 2 per guest. Adjust your numbers to your crowd. If you have a lot of younger people coming, order more. If its mostly going to be your grandparents, aunts, uncles and parents friends, order less. If this is your only dessert, order more. If you have a sweet table or another dessert being served, order less. If you're serving the cupcakes right after dinner, order more. If you're serving them closer to the end of the night, order less. Try to think about your guests and order based on what you think they will enjoy. I usually suggest going with at least 2 flavours but not more than 4. That will offer a good selection but won't take your guests away from the fun party while trying to decide on flavour. Another thing to think about is putting a small sign up saying what each flavour is so your guests don't take one, have a bite, decide they don't want that flavour and go back for seconds or thirds with uneaten cupcakes in the garbage. Have fun

Cackle6 · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cupcake-flavor-ettiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:93ab722a-b30b-4e16-8083-462b0b7a7435Post:873084a5-b638-4275-9625-5416a7fcb865">Re: Cupcake Flavor Ettiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Cupcake Flavor Ettiquette : Interesting...I still need to find a bakery and I live in MN...what was your bakery?
Posted by hsundermeyer[/QUOTE]

<div>Sweet Treats by Jeff. Link is in my bio. He works out of his house in Savage, and his cakes and cupcakes are AMAZING. Not to mention really affordable. Seriously, his stuff is SO good. The white chocolate Kalhua cupackes were my favorite. And it's not on his website, but he was able to do our cutting cake as a red velvet cake and it was frigging awesome. I can't wait for our anniversary so we can have the rest of it! :)</div>

Cackle6 · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cupcake-flavor-ettiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:93ab722a-b30b-4e16-8083-462b0b7a7435Post:2c375d0c-4f07-4ab3-bac8-ea6c49e40ce2">Re: Cupcake Flavor Ettiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]Another thing to think about is putting a small sign up saying what each flavour is so your guests don't take one, have a bite, decide they don't want that flavour and go back for seconds or thirds with uneaten cupcakes in the garbage. Have fun
Posted by cbleighb[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Such good advice! We did this, and color coordinated the cupcake wrappers to make it extra easy for everyone to pick out the flavor(s) they wanted. Also, I did have people tell me that they split one with their spouse/partner/friend so they could each try different kinds, but not have two whole cupcakes. Ours were rather large and rich so it was nice to hear that people were sharing. :)

</div>

willywally5 · January 2013

Daughter had little signs for each of the four flavors. I just made them out of scrapbook stuff; holders from Michael's. It's good that people KNOW the flavor; less waste.

i

[Deleted User] · January 2013

Shiiiit, I posted this, and got sidetracked for the rest of the day. Let me try to catch up--and thanks everyone for all the posts!

- We are also having a candy bar with a TON of candy. It's sort of our thing, so we went way overboard with it--like $800 worth of candy. So, not multiple desserts per sey, but lots of sweets.

- Mini cupcakes are sort of an option, but our baker didn't love the idea, because we both sort of wanted them to look a certain way (detailed decor on top) that she couldn't do as well with minis. As to the size--they're about medium. I know what some of you are talking about with the HUUUUGE sizes some bakeries have.

- Signs for the flavors is a great idea--and we're doing that (each on their own tier) as well as having them physically look different on top.

- Serving them is a REALLY good idea. I'll run that by the caterer. Since they won't have to cut a cake (just box up the top tier and bottom tier for the next day), I'll see if they can serve cupcakes.

Flavors--what's everyone think--a good enough mix?

- French Vanilla with Strawberry Filling

- Red Vevet

- Banana

- Chocolate with Caramel Filling

willywally5 · January 2013

DD had them served to each table as well. There were about 100 more so they went on the stand/cake table.

Those flavors sound pretty good with maybe the exception of banana, but I'm not a fan of fake banana flavoring so ... If it's with real bananas, though, totally different story.

There are so many from which to choose. Taste testing is fun! IIIRC, DD had Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Hazelnut Toffee Crunch, Peanut Butter Cup and Creme Brulee.

Your candy buffet sounds fun and yummy.

[Deleted User] · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cupcake-flavor-ettiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:93ab722a-b30b-4e16-8083-462b0b7a7435Post:58f67d28-da64-4448-87e3-fbed86e9c3af">Re: Cupcake Flavor Ettiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]DD had them served to each table as well. There were about 100 more so they went on the stand/cake table. Those flavors sound pretty good with maybe the exception of banana, but I'm not a fan of fake banana flavoring so ... If it's with real bananas, though, totally different story. There are so many from which to choose. Taste testing is fun! IIIRC, DD had Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Hazelnut Toffee Crunch, Peanut Butter Cup and Creme Brulee. Your candy buffet sounds fun and yummy.
Posted by willywally5[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Oh, the banana is real. Banana was not negotiable, and neither was a chocolate. Chocolate is FI's favorite, and banana is mine. Then, knowing not everyone loves those flavors, I wanted a vanilla...and I thought strawberry filling would be good with that to bring fruit into the mix...and red velvet, I just love.</div><div>
</div><div>I will say, though, that it was a hard decision between red velvet and lemon with raspberry filling. I'm still going back and forth on that.

</div>

Ember2012 · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cupcake-flavor-ettiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:93ab722a-b30b-4e16-8083-462b0b7a7435Post:93509769-67c2-4d8f-82cd-ba27ce491189">Re: Cupcake Flavor Ettiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]We are ordering one per person in chocolate and strawberry. The problem with this is that both these ingredients are very common food allergies. Add a vanilla to be safe.
Posted by RetreadBride[/QUOTE]

This.

One of my closest friends is severely allergic to both chocoloate and strawberry. Needless to say at my wedding I will be making sure that we serve at least one thing that she has the option to eat.

ETA: Silly Caps...

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