25 Wedding Cupcake Ideas and Designs

Put a fun spin on the classic wedding cake tradition with beautiful and delicious wedding cupcake ideas! You can stick with a traditional white cake, bring some originality with flavors like champagne raspberry, or do a mixture of multiple flavors. You can even choose to have mini cupcakes instead of a standard size.

Not only is there fun to be had with cupcake flavors, but also with the display of your decadent desserts. From tall-tiered pedestals to cupcake stations, there are a million ways to get creative while impressing your wedding guests.

Last but not least, make sure the flavors and display are in line with the style of your wedding. It’s all about sticking to your theme!

Our favorite wedding cupcake ideas you need to know:

Have fun with the wedding cupcake flavors

1. Traditional white wedding cupcakes - For a fun twist on the classic wedding cake, try this popular recipe.

2. Vegan and gluten-free wedding cupcakes - For couples with dietary restrictions, these vegan and gluten-free vanilla cupcakes will blow your mind. 

3. 1-Bowl vegan funfetti cupcakes - For the couple who wants to keep things easy and delicious, these cupcakes are the perfect wedding dessert. 

4. Paleo vanilla “buttercream” cupcakes - Flavorful, moist, and delicious? Yes. Gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, and paleo? Also yes! 

5. Classic keto vanilla cupcakes - No need to sacrifice your lifestyle on your wedding day with these keto-friendly vanilla cupcakes with homemade buttermilk.

6. Almond cupcakes with raspberry filling - Add a surprise to your cupcake with these easy and delicious almond cupcakes.

7. Angel food cupcakes - If you’re looking for a light dessert for your wedding, look no further than these light-as-air cupcakes complete with whipped cream and fresh berries.

8. Champagne cupcakes - Continue the celebration into dessert with these cupcakes that are sure to wow your wedding guests.

9. Vanilla cupcakes with lemon cream cheese frosting - The bright, airy flavors of these cupcakes are perfect for a spring/summer wedding.

10. Caramel bourbon vanilla cupcakes - Caramel frosting sits atop these brown sugar bourbon cupcakes making for the ultimate fall/winter wedding treat.

11. Tropical coconut cupcakes with mango curd - If you’re having a destination wedding in a tropical location, consider using local flavors. These tropical coconut cupcakes with a mango curd are an excellent addition to the beautiful scenery of your exotic location. 

Creative ways to decorate wedding cupcakes

Now that you have your perfect cupcake and icing, it’s time to decorate. Depending on the style of your wedding, there are many different ways you can decorate your cupcakes from classic piped tops to swirled frosting to flower shapes using various piping bag tips. We’ve compiled a list of the best videos and articles to help you bring your cupcake dreams to life!

Perfect your decorating skills with these 4 helpful videos

Take your frosting to the next level with these 2 techniques

1. How to make wedding cupcakes like a pro - From piped hydrangeas to fondant stamped monograms, learn how to decorate your wedding cupcakes like a pro.

2. 3 ways to make swirled cupcake frosting - Add some pizzazz to your cupcakes with this tutorial on how to create two-toned swirled frosting 3 different ways.

Wow your wedding guests with these incredible cupcake display ideas

When it comes to cupcake display, there really is no wrong way to do it. From classic circular tiered towers that you can purchase to building your own cupcake stand DIY style, there are numerous options you can choose from for display. You can even include a small traditional one tier cake on the top of your display for cutting purposes.

The most important things to keep in mind when deciding on the display is the number of cupcakes (i.e guests) you have and how prominent you want this display to be (will it be your main focal point or would you prefer it to be less of a “to do”?). Here are some examples of stunning cupcake displays to get your creative juices flowing:

1. How to create a wedding cupcake tower - From individual mini-cupcake stands to themed towers, discover 6 ways to create a cupcake display unique to your wedding.

2. Rustic cupcake display - Use wooden ladders, crates, and barrels to design the perfect rustic cupcake display.

3. Round cupcake tower  - Become inspired by this unique twist on a classic cake display. Vanilla and chocolate cupcakes make up the majority of the round tower that is complete with a small cake at the top for the perfect cake cutting moment.

4. Champagne coup glass cupcake display - Make your display pop by using an acrylic cupcake stand. For an even more show-stopping presence, place each cupcake in a champagne coup glass so your guests can grab it and go, just how tray passed champagne would be served.

5. Cupcake table display - Instead of having one tall cake display, consider showing off your decadent treats in a more lateral fashion by adorning a table with multiple single layer dishes piled with cupcakes. 

6. Rectangular display - Similar to the round cupcake tower is the rectangular cupcake tower. If your wedding decor is more architectural and structured, you may want to choose a display with sharper angles like this one to better compliment your soiree. 

7. Lighted cupcake display - Let there be light! You can buy a cupcake display adorned with LED lights or make your own to create a truly glowing dessert station. 

8. Cupcake wall - Create a wall with long shelves or individual slots to place each cupcake. Not only is this an easy way for guests to grab their treat, but it also makes for a great photo opportunity. 

Frequently asked questions about wedding cupcakes

How much are cupcakes for a wedding?

The cost of wedding cupcakes depends on if you’re making them yourself or getting them from a bakery. The number of guests and number of flavors play a factor in the cost of your treats, too. On average, it will cost anywhere from $1.50-$3.50 per cupcake. Some bakeries offer discount for larger quantity orders. Considering wedding cakes range from $5.50-$10 per serving, you can be sure your dessert is a more budget-friendly option when choosing to serve cupcakes. 

How many cupcakes do you need for a wedding?

It’s recommended that you order 1.5 standard size cupcakes or 3 mini cupcakes per guest. If you’re having a dessert bar with other treat options in addition to cupcakes, you can size down. Just ensure you have enough desserts so that each guest can have at least 1.5. If you fear your guests are going to be too full to eat cupcakes at the end of the night, consider adding the cupcakes to the guest’s party favors by getting cute cupcake to-go boxes.

How far in advance can you make cupcakes for a wedding?

It’s recommended that you start to research bakeries 6-8 months before the big day and lock in your vendor with a signed contract no later than 4 months out with a tasting in between. If you’re making your own wedding cupcakes, the timeline is a bit different.

According to Betty Crocker, test three or four different recipes 3 months prior to your wedding day. One week before your wedding, bake your cupcakes then wrap and pop them into the freezer. 2 days before, transfer your cupcakes from the freezer to the refrigerator to begin the thawing process. The day before the wedding is the best time to frost and decorate so they are ready to be transported and displayed on the big day!

UP NEXT: Check out these gorgeous celebrity wedding cakes!