Create A Stunning Cupcake Tower For Your Wedding Day

Cupcakes are a great alternative to a traditional wedding cake, especially for casual weddings. They are mess-free, easy to serve, and can be displayed in a variety of fun and creative ways. One such way is a cupcake tower, which can be purchased or made by hand. A handmade cupcake tower can be made using a few simple materials such as cardboard, card stock, soup cans, and a glue gun. The tower can be decorated with ribbon, flowers, or other materials to match the wedding's theme or colour palette.

Choosing a base and supports

When creating a cupcake tower for a wedding, the base and supports are crucial elements that provide stability and style. Here are some factors to consider when choosing these components:

Choosing a Base

The base of your cupcake tower sets the foundation and determines its overall stability. Opt for something wide and fairly low, such as a sturdy tray or a set of Styrofoam discs glued together. This option allows for easy transportation and ensures that your tower doesn't tip over. Another creative idea is to use a tree trunk as a base, adding a rustic charm to your cupcake tower.

Selecting Supports

The supports, also known as pillars, are what separate the tiers of your cupcake tower. You can use various items as supports, such as soup cans, styrofoam cylinders, or even acrylic rods. If you prioritize stability, soup cans are an excellent choice due to their weight and sturdiness. For a more elegant and transparent look, consider using acrylic rods or clear plastic pillars. If you're crafty, you can also cover the supports with cardstock or fabric to match your wedding theme.

Tier Quantity and Size

The number of tiers you want in your cupcake tower will influence the number of supports needed. A standard cupcake tower typically has three to six tiers, but you can adapt it to your needs. Each tier will require a set of cardboard cake circles, preferably doubled up for added strength. The size of each tier can vary, but using different-sized circles, such as 12, 10, and 8-inch circles, will create a visually appealing tower.

Stability and Safety

When choosing your base and supports, always consider the weight of the cupcakes and the stability of the tower. Ensure that the base is sturdy enough to bear the weight of all the tiers and cupcakes. Additionally, pay attention to the balance and evenness of your tower as you assemble it. An uneven tower may be unsafe and could topple over.

Decorating the Base and Supports

To enhance the appearance of your cupcake tower, you can decorate the base and supports. Cover them with cardstock, fabric, or ribbon that matches your wedding colour palette. If you're using cans or cylinders as supports, wrap them tightly with cardstock or fabric to give them a cohesive look. You can also add embellishments like ribbon edging or scalloped borders to the base for a more elegant presentation.

Cardboard cake circles

To make a cupcake tower for a wedding, you will need cardboard cake circles, two of each size. For a three-tiered tower, you can use 12, 10, and 8-inch circles. First, glue together both cardboard circles of the same size, with the unfinished sides facing inward, to create a double layer. Repeat this process with the remaining sizes until all the cardboard circles are doubled up.

Once you have your doubled-up cardboard circles, you can begin to cover them with card stock to give them a finished look. Trace around each cardboard circle onto the card stock and cut out the corresponding circle. Hot glue the card stock circle onto the cardboard circle, taking care not to burn yourself as the glue can become very hot. If desired, you can cut around the edges of the circles with decorative scissors to create a scalloped border for added detail.

After all, the pieces are prepared, you can begin assembling the tower. Using a hot glue gun, glue the base in the centre of the bottom tier, making sure to glue it to the bottom, uncovered side of the cardboard circle. Then, glue a soup can pillar (or a Styrofoam cylinder) in the centre of that circle, ensuring it is balanced. Continue by gluing the next cardboard circle on top of the pillar, keeping the finished side up. Repeat this process until all the pieces are in place.

Finally, cut a piece of ribbon long enough to edge each of the tiers. Hot glue along the edge of the cardboard circle and carefully press the ribbon into place, making sure to keep the top edge even with the surface. You only need to use small dabs of glue every few inches. If your ribbon is translucent, you may want to consider using a second layer for a more opaque appearance.

Covering the tiers

Now that you have your supplies, it's time to start constructing your cupcake tower! Start by preparing the base. If you're using Styrofoam discs like in the example, use a hot glue gun to glue the discs together in an even column. This will serve as a sturdy base for your tower.

Next, you'll want to cover the tiers. Take your cardboard cake circles and glue them together in pairs, with the unfinished sides facing each other, to create a double layer. Repeat this for each size of circle you have. This double layer will add strength and stability to your tiers.

To give your tiers a finished look, trace around each cardboard circle onto the card stock and cut out the corresponding circle. Use the hot glue gun to attach the card stock to the cardboard, covering one side. If you want to get really creative, you can use decorative scissors to create a scalloped border along the edges of the card stock for an extra special touch.

Now it's time to cover the supports between the layers. Measure the length of your soup cans or styrofoam cylinders and cut strips of card stock to fit. Use the hot glue gun to secure the card stock as a tight band around each support. Be careful, as the glue can get very hot! Use a ruler to press the card stock firmly until the glue sets.

With your tiers and supports covered, you can now assemble your tower. Start by gluing the base to the centre of the bottom tier, making sure to glue it to the uncovered side of the cardboard circle. Then, glue your covered support in the centre of that circle. Continue by gluing the next cardboard circle on top of the support, making sure to keep the finished side up. Repeat this process until all your pieces are in place.

To finish off the edges of your tiers, cut a piece of ribbon long enough to edge each tier. Use hot glue along the edge of the cardboard circle and carefully press the ribbon in place, keeping the top edge even with the surface. You don't need to glue along the entire perimeter, just small dabs every few inches will do. If you want a more opaque look, consider using a double layer of ribbon.

Assembling the tower

Now that all the pieces are put together, we’re ready to assemble the tower. This method is just a rough guideline, so feel free to adapt it to your needs.

First, hot glue the base in the centre of the bottom tier, ensuring you glue it onto the bottom, uncovered side of the cardboard circle. Then, glue a soup can pillar in the centre of that circle, eyeballing it to centre it and balance it.

Next, glue the next cardboard circle on top of the pillar, ensuring the finished side is facing up. As the lid of the soup can isn't flat, glue around the edges to ensure the can is in firm contact with the cardboard circle. Repeat this process until all the pieces are in place.

To finish, cut a piece of ribbon long enough to edge each of the tiers. Hot glue along the edge of the cardboard circle and press the ribbon on, keeping the top edge even with the surface. You only need to glue in small dabs every few inches, and if your ribbon is somewhat translucent, consider a second layer for a more opaque look. Repeat this process for the remaining tiers until you have a finished cupcake tower!

Decorating the tower

Once you've assembled your cupcake tower, it's time for the fun part: decorating it! Here are some ideas and instructions to help you create a beautiful and elegant display for your wedding:

Cover the Base and Pillars:

Start by covering the base and pillars with decorative material. You can use card stock, fabric, or ribbon to give it a finished look. If using card stock, cut it to size and secure it with a hot glue gun. For a more rustic look, consider wrapping the base and pillars with twine or natural fibre ribbon.

Embellish the Tiers:

Add a touch of elegance to each tier by edging them with ribbon. Choose a colour that complements your wedding theme or use a neutral shade like ivory or gold. Secure the ribbon with small dabs of hot glue along the edge of each cardboard circle. You can also use decorative scissors to create a scalloped edge on the card stock for a fancier look.

Flowers and Greenery:

Bring your cupcake tower to life by incorporating fresh flowers and greenery. You can either place small bouquets or single stems between the tiers or weave them around the pillars. If fresh flowers aren't available, consider using high-quality artificial flowers or edible sugar paste flowers.

Cupcake Liners:

For a cohesive look, use the same style of cupcake liner for all your cupcakes. This will create a unified appearance, especially if you're offering multiple flavours. You can choose a design that complements your wedding theme, such as lace-patterned liners for a vintage-style wedding or colourful liners for a vibrant, festive celebration.

Statement Cake Topper:

Even if you're primarily serving cupcakes, you can still include a small cake at the top of your tower. Decorate it with a personalised cake topper that reflects your style or includes your initials. This will make your display even more special and memorable.

Add Height and Variety:

Consider using different heights for your platters or stands to create a visually appealing display. You can also mix and match shapes, such as round and square platters, to add interest. If you want to go beyond cupcakes, include other treats like macarons, mini cakes, or even doughnuts to delight your guests.

Remember, this is your special day, so feel free to adapt these ideas to match your unique style and theme. Enjoy the process of creating a beautiful cupcake tower that will be a focal point at your wedding!

Frequently asked questions