Creative Cupcake Stand Ideas For Your Wedding

Creating a cupcake stand for a wedding is a fun and creative way to display baked goods. DIY cupcake stands can be made from a variety of materials, such as old lamp parts, plates, platters, polystyrene cake dummies, and wooden tiers. The process involves assembling the stand by gluing, wrapping, and stacking the chosen materials. Stands can be customised to fit the wedding theme and colour palette, and can hold a large number of cupcakes.

Using old lamp parts

Step 1: Source Old Lamp Parts

Head to your local thrift shop, yard sale, or eBay to find old lamps with interesting bases. Look for lamp bases made of metal or brass, as these will provide a sturdy foundation for your cupcake stand. You can also keep an eye out for any floral plates or mismatched china pieces that can be used for the tiers of your stand.

Step 2: Clean and Prepare the Parts

Before you start assembling, make sure to clean the metal parts of the lamp with a degreaser like trisodium phosphate (TSP). This will ensure that your stand is free of dust and debris. If you want to paint the lamp base, use a primer first and let it dry completely before applying your chosen colour. You can use acrylic craft paints in pastel shades or any colour that complements your wedding theme. Don't forget to let each coat of paint dry before adding another if needed, and finish with a spray sealer so that your stand can be washed later.

Step 3: Assemble the Cupcake Stand

Now it's time to put your stand together! Lamp bases usually have a flat surface, so attaching the plate or bowl with a strong, waterproof glue should be easy. Allow the glue to dry overnight before handling the stand. You can also add a glass cloche or a stack of orphaned teacups and plates to create a whimsical look.

Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches

If you want to add a personal touch or match your wedding theme, consider decorating your cupcake stand with ribbons, stickers, or themed accessories. For example, if you're having a beach-themed wedding, you can adorn your stand with seashells and starfish. You can also place a topper on each cupcake to tie the whole display together.

Step 5: Arrange the Cupcakes

Finally, it's time to arrange the cupcakes on your stand! Start with the largest tier at the bottom and work your way up to the smallest tier. This will help maintain balance and ensure that each cupcake has its own spotlight.

Remember, when it comes to DIY, there are no hard and fast rules. Feel free to get creative and adapt these steps to suit your unique vision for your wedding cupcake stand!

Choosing a colour scheme

A good rule of thumb when it comes to colour schemes is to choose one or two main colours, then select one or two secondary colours, one of which should be neutral, to support the main hues. Finish off the scheme with a fun accent colour, such as gold or silver, which can be used sparingly throughout.

If you're having a Christmas wedding, you might want to go for a sparkly theme with colours like eggplant and silver. You could also incorporate snowflake decorations and silver cupcake wrappers. For a summer wedding, bright and vibrant colours like magenta, berry, and tangerine would be a great choice. A pastel colour scheme is always a romantic option and can be made more interesting by adding a hint of contrast with slightly bolder colours. For example, you could pair pastel blue and blush pink with cream and gold.

If you're looking for a unique and creative stand, you could take inspiration from Shabbyfufu.com, who suggest making a stand from old lamp parts. They recommend using a base made from an old lamp and a floral plate, which can be glued together. You can then paint the stand in shades of acrylic craft paint that coordinate with your chosen colour scheme.

Making a cupcake stand from wood

Planning Your Wooden Cupcake Stand

Before you begin, it's important to plan the design of your cupcake stand. Consider the number of cupcakes you want to display and the space you have available. This will help determine the size and number of tiers your stand will need. You can create a simple single-layer stand or opt for a more elaborate multi-tiered design.

Gathering Materials

For this project, you will need wood slices or slabs, preferably in descending sizes for the tiers. You can find these at craft stores or online. Additionally, you'll need a centrepiece to hold the tiers together. This can be a metal pole, a wooden dowel, or even a vase or glass for a more decorative touch. Other materials include glue, satin ribbon, and wrapping paper or fabric to decorate your stand.

Preparing the Wood

Start by preparing your wood slices or slabs. Sand them down to ensure they are smooth and free of splinters. You can also stain or paint the wood to match your wedding colour scheme or give it a rustic look. Allow the wood to dry completely before assembly.

Assembling the Cupcake Stand

Now, it's time to assemble your cupcake stand. Place the largest wood slice or slab at the base. If using a centrepiece like a metal pole, attach it to the centre of the base using glue or another strong adhesive. Carefully stack the remaining wood slices or slabs on top, ensuring they are centred and secure. For added stability, you can drill small holes through the centre of each slab and insert a wooden dowel, securing it with glue.

Decorating Your Stand

To give your wooden cupcake stand a finished look, decorate it with satin ribbon or fabric. Wrap the ribbon around the edges of each tier, securing it with glue. You can also add personal touches, such as initials or a wedding date, by using wood-burning tools or paint.

Final Touches and Care

Once your stand is assembled and decorated, place it in the desired location before adding cupcakes. While some stands can be carefully moved, it's generally best to keep them in one spot. After use, wipe down the stand with a dry cloth to remove crumbs and spot clean any frosting or sticky residue with a damp cloth.

Using cake dummies and cake boards

To make a three-tiered cupcake stand, you will need:

• Three cake boards of descending sizes
• Four cake dummies, one pair larger than the other
• Satin ribbon in a colour of your choice
• Pretty wrapping paper that matches your wedding theme
• Double-sided tape
• Glue
• Scissors
• A pencil

First, glue each pair of cake dummies together and leave them to dry. Next, wrap the satin ribbon around the base of the cake dummies, securing it with pins at either end. Repeat this process for the other pair of cake dummies. Then, place the cake boards on the wrapping paper and draw around them with a pencil. Cut out the paper circles and glue them to the cake boards. Again, wrap satin ribbon around the edges of the cake boards and glue it in place.

Now, it's time to assemble the stand. Place the largest cake board down first and add double-sided tape to the base of the first pillar. Find the centre of the cake board and press the pillar down firmly. Repeat this process for the second tier, placing the smaller cake board on top of the first pillar. Finish the stand by adding the final cake dummy and cake board.

Although this stand can be moved around when there are no cupcakes on it, it's best not to move it once the cupcakes are in place. After use, wipe the stand down with a dry cloth to remove crumbs, and use a damp cloth for any sticky residue.

Using a martini glass as a pillar

First, set down a large plate or serving platter. Then, place the martini glass in the centre of the plate. Balance a smaller plate on top of the glass. Arrange your cupcakes on the top plate. If you like, you can also put some cupcakes on the bottom platter, around the base of the glass.

If you want to move the cupcake stand, do so very carefully before arranging the cupcakes.

Frequently asked questions