One of the growing new trends in weddings is the elimination of the traditional wedding cake. By going a bit trendy, more thrifty, and pouring forth a lot of creative DIY juices, you can make a spectacular statement with a cupcake tower.
I am proud to say that my brother tackled the Do it Yourself (DIY) project of the decade last weekend.
As my niece browsed cake ideas on-line, my brother’s “I can do this even better, and save money” juices kicked into full gear.
Yes, my friends, he saw, he sawed, he sewed….he conquered. 😉
Capturing the height, depth and class of this stand wasn’t possible with my camera, but it made a beautiful statement.
Thinking ahead on the specific details made it possible to slide the decorative 2×4’s in and out to switch out the fabric for a variety of uses.
And, of course, the gorgeous bridesmaid dresses were a deep brown to match the cupcake stand fabric.
The beauty of the decorative sides is the versatility. How wonderful to know that next summer’s anniversary party might be accented in greens, and all this hard work can easily accommodate that change. 
You can bet all the other nieces were clapping in glee when he mentioned that this was built for everyone to use.
But don’t even ask, he’ll say “no.” 😉
We already tried to get him to sell these…
Now if cupcakes aren’t your thing, please brainstorm with me for a minute.
I think there could be tons of unique ways to use this…mini dessert plates set around the tiers, flowers, appetizers…what else?
All I can say is, “Martha Stewart, move on over…”
Now this, my dear eldest brother, is a very GOOD thing. 🙂
I really like that. It is elegant and I am sure it cost way, way less than your traditional wedding cake.
When my husband and I married two years ago I did our own cake and what I ended up doing was using heavy duty cardboard boxes. I took them and stacked them using different sizes and I covered them with fabric as well. The look I created was similar and It turned out great and was cheap.
WOW! That's all. Just wow.
This is beautiful!!! Way to go bro!!!
Of course I see something different sitting on the second level and I am dying to know what that was..LOL…well…you put the photos on your blog…and let us leave comments …and ask questions LOL
Girl, did it really take humanity THAT LONG to come up with this concept? I think I'll mandate this at my daughters wedding. I'll start building cupcake stands on the side, you know, extra DIY income. I'll have my whole line out by June for sure. Fantastic info shaweethaht! I've got to get to bed… I'm supposed to be at the gym at 5:30 for training… ha! it's 1am… I'm a athletic dorker.
Clever and beautiful!
Hear me clapping and cheering for your brother, the wedding hero! That's awesome!
And it's reusable too???!! Can't get better than that.
My first thought beyond using for a wedding is what wonderful tea parties you could have with all the goodies spread out on there.
Hey, and tell your brother he absolutely needs to market and sell these. Tell him to picture himself a few years and a few million sales later flying his private jet to lounge on his private island. Seriously, these would sell!
Cupcakes ROCK!!
For my daughter's recent 9th birthday, we skipped the cake and did cupcakes.
I frosted a few but then filled bags with frosting and tips and had placed bowls of sprinkles and jelly beans and Twizzler pieces (all either free or purchased with JoAnn's 40-50% coupons) and the girls were able to decorate their own cupcakes. I had take home containers which my local market was happy to give me for free. So each girl took home 6 decorated cupcakes.
Total time effort in making 70 cupcakes- about 3 hours
Total cost for cupcakes and sprinkles- about $7.00
Effect on a group of giggly 9 year olds- PRICELESS
(ALL of the moms now plan on doing this at THEIR parties…)
🙂
—and I agree, your brother needs to market those. They're SWANKY!!—
This is STUNNING! I am helping plan my cousins wedding at the moment. We are having tiered cupcakes too. I'm going to get my husband to check out this post and see if he can create something similar in deep purple and wild rose. Tell your brother he is incredibly talented. xx
Jen, that is gorgeous!! What a cool idea. 🙂 My sister is getting married next month and pulling out all the stops. (It is completely different than the wedding T and I had 8 years ago) She wanted something different, so they are doing pies, which I think is a little bit off, b/c I like cake (and cupcakes!!!), but I think it will be fun. 🙂
This is stunning! I made a cupcake tower recently for my little sister's graduation party. They're a fun & inexpensive way to jazz up any get together.
That is just gorgeous! Love this, Jen! Tell him that he did a great job!! Y'all have a great weekend!
Hugs!
Susan
i knew i had seen this before…very similar
http://www.ellezdesigns.com/site/2009/03/diy-cupcake-stand/
Awesome!
We love cupcakes around here too. I don't have a fancy stand. That ought to go on my to-do list. LOL!
🙂
Stunning!! That is gorgeous – he should do a guest post on how to build it 🙂
And you cracked me up with "Martha Stewart move on over" … I do believe those lights sitting in front of the cake standing are from the Martha Stewart wedding line – on sale at Big Lots for $2 a couple months ago. 😉 The connection just made me giggle.
It's wonderful, the fact you can change out the centers with different fabric/color themes is awesome. Definitely a market for these I'm sure!
Your brother is indeed talented, and all the more special as he made it for his daughter.
Me again! I went back and read your God Watch post. Wonderful! I loved this: "His faithfulness reminds me that I have no other choice than to punctuate my life with praise." Thank you for sharing this with us!!
Hugs!
Susan
What a beautiful idea and of course your brother is that talented… it is in your genes.
Beautiful.
Cynthia
Jen, what a great project for your bro to tackle. It is gorgeous & one of a kind.
HOLY COW – that is AMAZING!!! Gotta love a guy that's willing to get in there and help/craft!
Like Bonita, my first thought for further use was tea parties, too. Can you imagine: finger sandwiches, petit fours, chocolate dipped strawberries, mini-scones, mini-anything, really!
This is a wonderful idea – we may have to look into building one of our own, too! Thanks! :o)
WOW what a creative and talented guy! I know you said he wont sell them, but could he share a few details so I can get my husband busy on constructing one?? Very very beautiful, thanks for sharing! Sue
He could sure sell the plans for those!!! that is spectacular!!! It looks fantastic!
Suzanne
what a great idea I love this
I like the stand your brother made more than the one by Martha Stewart! My friend had a similar cake-substitution idea for her wedding, but instead of cupcakes they used donuts! You can see a picture of it here: http://www.theburbblog.com/Home/tabid/55/EntryID/301/Default.aspx
WOWZERS! G-ORGEOUS!
That is GORGEOUS!!! And that's all I have to say about that! 🙂
How cute is that!?! And I also have wanted to say all week that I'm so glad I got to meet you Sat. Thanks for your encouraging words. And let me also say that you sure know how to organize a crowd of women. Bravo!
Love the cupcake stand. Glad people are moving in the cupcake direction. Makes so much more sense than having to cut all tha cake!
What a super idea! I see the creativity runs in your family!
Wow, I can't believe he made that himself! It looks like it was done by a professional – so chic and pretty 🙂
I love this elegant look…thanks so much for sharing….
THAT IS CRAZY FABULOUS! I am so out of the wedding scene nowadays, and have not yet seen this idea. He is awesomer than awesome! Big high fives, girl. That is cool!
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~Misti
I like the fact that the stand can be reused for her house later on. What a neat thing to display greeting cards on? Really cool.
How cool is this??
Wouldn't it be awesome if weddings could be re-captured from the realm of let's-go-into-debt-for-this-ceremony and brought back to let's-celebrate-this-new-life?
So wonderfulness runs in your family, does it?
Love this!! SO Classy and well done. And I don't think Martha's holds a candle to his!
amazing that a man did that! bravo to your brother! in my family, the boys care about sports and maybe throwing something together with a hammer and nails. this requires so much more tlc! Wow!
Jen,
This is amazing!!! I love cupcakes and think they are so fun to use and easier to serve. You have added STUNNING!!
Good job girl!
That cake stand is beautiful and elegant! I love that it can be used for many purposes.
I love the idea, might convert it to an idea for a children's party…
This is darling! I will be serving cupcakes at my wedding and am excited to decide on the arrangement. I also loved your barbie cake "you" made! 😉 Just adorable! Have been so busy but enjoyed catching up on what you have been up to!
I'm having a giveaway on my blog for a gorgeous coffee set, if you get a moment come by and enter!
http://songbirdtiff.blogspot.com/2009/08/its-time-for-giveaway_17.html
I wanted to do something like this at my wedding. (My husband vetoed that untraditional idea given his position in our very traditional church.) But I was just going to paint styrofoam or something. lol
Would your brother consider putting together and selling the plans for this?
I couldn't figure out how to leave comment on your coupon post so I am highjacking this one to ask a question about CVS ECB. I hope you don't mind. A CVS just opened by our house and I immediately thought of you. My question is, how do I redeem the ECB? Do I take the actual reciept with me to the store? Thanks.
I’m reaching out to all the Moms on my blog role to tell you about a new Momtrends feature. Every Monday I will be posting Mommy Time Monday. This is a chance for other bloggers to link up and share something they’ve done in the past week. The idea is to promote carving out “me-time” without the kids and to inspire other moms to do the same. After all, that’s time with friends, or pursuing a passion/hobby keep us moms sane. I hope you’ll stop by and join in the fun.
http://momtrends.blogspot.com/2009/08/mommy-time-monday-pilates-class.html
Adorable idea!!! I love the coffee bar, too. Frugal weddings rock!!! Blessings!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Fantastic!
That is the cutest idea ever. I started a new KNOCK OFF KNOCK OUT party and I bet you have some things to put in the party-it's every Monday. I would love to have you submit this idea next Monday. I hope you come over and become a follower and subscribe and I will do the same.
Cheri
Its So Very Cheri
It is absolutely gorgeous! And how special for your niece! Imagine using it for a baby shower 🙂
Oh wow! Your brother did a fantastic job. My son was married this summer at our lakehouse. We had a barbeque reception and opted for a cupcake tower with gerber daisy decorated cupcakes. It made a fantastic display. Someday soon, I'm going to blog about my son's wedding and my transformation of our yard for this special event. I'll show pics then of the cupcake tower display. It was a huge hit. Thanks so much for sharing this. Your brother is talented.
Unbelievable, I want one!
I have a poll up on my blog about my BIGGEST decor dilemma. Come on over and vote, I need all the help I can get!
http://imnomartha.blogspot.com/2009/08/first-poll-ever-to-paint-or-not-to.html
so awesome!!
That is so great!
There are six girls in my family – five of us already married. I wish we would've thought of this. It's amazing. And, being the planner I am, I love your brother for thinking ahead and using change out 2x4s.
OH, and the word 'balance' is one of my favorite. I think I like you!
Wow! That is fantastic! He did a wonderful job! And he sewed. Wow.
Wow!!!looking so sweet…great idea…what a decoration really fantastic i love it..
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Reenee
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WOW. I absolutely love it! That is so gorg'! Now, if only I could find and idea of how to display a "wedding pie" in a classy way.
impressive! We considered making our own cake pedestals and similar things for our wedding and decided we didn't feel like going to the effort. Really, really cool and well executed! Kelly
Are there directions for this posted somewhere? Or does he sell them now? Would love more details for my daughter’s wedding in September. 🙂
I know it’s too late for your daughter’s wedding Susie, but maybe it will help someone else. Here’s a link to our instructions, which I believe was used to make this stand. =) http://www.sometimescrafty.com/wp/2011/12/diy-cupcake-stand/
@Susie LaBelle,
I was wondering how many cupcakes this stand ended up holding? I think it is so cute! I was thinking about having my dad make one for my wedding also!!
Do you have directions for the project?
@Kathy,
Hi Kathy!
I’m pretty sure this was built using our design, and instructions are now located here: http://candylandstudio.com/wp/tutorials/giant-diy-cupcake-stand/
Thanks for adding that. My brother made this and I didn’t know where he gathered his tutorial from. I’ll make sure and add the link. It’s been years since I wrote it, so now I’d make sure and have it in there. 🙂
@Jen,
Thanks so much! It also doesn’t help that I kept changing blogs. LOL People continue to ask about instructions so I try to update links where I can. =)
Your brother did an amazing job, I love the lights around the base!
@Kathy,
Hi Kathy!
I’m pretty sure this was built using our design, but for some reason this automatic form will not allow me to post a link to the instructions. =( If you click on my name it should take you to my website, then click on Tutorials at the top. =)
What are the dimensions on this? Wanting to make something like this for my wedding but not sure how far apart to put the levels and how wide and long the bases of the levels need to be!
If you click on the link written in the post, there is a site that has the directions.
What is the middle made of? Please! And did it come apart?
No, it didn’t come apart. We’ve used it now many times over the years and still in great shape. If you click on the link, there are directions on how to make it.