Event Planning| Savvy Ways to Cut Costs without Cutting Style: Dessert

You are having a wedding reception or a milestone party (i.e. birthday, graduation, or retirement party) and all 50-150+ of your closest friends and family members will be there. You want to impress them and have the party they will never forget (no pressure) BUT you don't want to take out a second mortgage on your house. Well you won't have to because after reading these tips you'll have a classy yet savvy event. Dessert: The new trend of individualized desserts (cupcakes, mini cheesecakes, mini cakes, etc) for your guests is a great way to not only personalize your affair AND save you money. Individual desserts can save costs in one of two ways...both of which gives you two uses for the price of one. I. First, you can use these individual desserts as a centerpiece in lieu of the typical floral option. The centerpiece (mini cake or cupcakes) can be a simpler version of your cake or can compliment your wedding theme by matching the bridesmaids’ dresses, invitations, or the room’s décor…just remember your wedding cake is the focal point. The centerpiece can be placed on a charger, cupcake stand, a toile—anything you want that will match your events’ theme perfectly. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter. Just make sure the venue provides each table with a knife if it's required. After the guests watch you cut your cake, they can return to their tables to help themselves…and as we learned in kindergarten, sharing is caring. You save money because you do not have to purchase a traditional centerpiece (flowers, vases, ribbons, or candles) and extra sheet cakes to feed your guests. A two-layer centerpiece is adequate with an eight-inch cake for a smaller gathering or twelve inches for a larger group. Or eight to twelve cupcakes per table based on the seating arrangement. Not only will these centerpieces be a factor your guests will always remember but they will enjoy these edible pieces as well. II. Your individualized desserts can also be the favors for your event. Just place them in a creative container. Your guests will have something unique to take home. You can use monogrammed cookies or cupcakes in any flavor or style that you like. The individualized desserts can match the decoration of your wedding or event cake…the choice is yours. Take it one step further by adding your guest’s name or including a little handwritten note thanking each guest for sharing your day with you. Be careful—more personalization on the part of the baker means additional expenses. However, little notes written or printed by you cost next to nothing. Before making a decision on individualized desserts, comparison shop. Make sure you choose the bakery or the design that is right for you and your budget. The choices are endless since bakers now offer lots of flavors and design options. Happy Planning! a K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple and Savvy) until next time~Kenesha