Choosing the Sweetest Option for Your LDS Reception

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Let’s Be Real — Both Are Sweet!

One of the most delicious decisions you’ll make while planning your LDS reception is whether to serve a traditional tiered wedding cake or a darling tower of cupcakes. Both can be beautiful, budget-friendly, and perfectly suited for a temple-day celebration. Let’s look at how to choose what fits your style, guest list, and budget best.

The Classic Cake Moment

There’s just something timeless about the cake-cutting photo — that tender smile, the frosting smudge, the new-eternal-companionship kind of glow. A cake creates a focal point at your reception and feels a little more formal, which many couples love for their temple-day celebration.

Why brides still love the cake:

• Photo-ready: It’s the star of the dessert table.

• Custom flavors: Each tier can be different (think lemon for Mom, chocolate for him ♥).

• Tradition: It carries that “we did it!” symbolic moment of unity.

Cupcakes for the Win

Cupcakes bring all the charm of a tiered cake — with less cutting, less cost, and zero serving stress. Guests can grab their favorite flavor, kids can actually finish them, and they double as décor when displayed on pretty stands or rustic trays.

Why cupcakes might be your sweet spot:

• Easy to serve: No slicing, no mess, no waiting in line.

• Budget-friendly: Usually cost less per serving than cake.

• Perfect for open houses: Guests can take one to-go without missing a beat.

Mix and Match (Yes, You Can!)

Who says you have to pick just one? Many Latter-day Saint brides pair a small two-tier display cake with trays of matching cupcakes. You get your picture-perfect cake-cutting moment and the convenience of cupcakes for everyone else. It’s the best of both worlds — and your guests will love the variety.

Temple-Day Tip

If your sealing and reception happen on the same day, plan for desserts that can be prepped ahead or travel well. Cupcakes store beautifully overnight, and your display cake can stay chilled until setup time — just in time for that dreamy “first-slice” photo.

Whether you go classic or modern, tiered or bite-sized, your dessert should feel like you. Choose what fits your celebration, your budget, and your personality — because the sweetest weddings are always the ones that reflect your love story.

Now that’s icing on the cake (or cupcake)!