Platter Arrangement

• 1). Wash and dry your cupcake platter. There are several shapes and sizes. Round, rectangular or square works well. You can place a decorative fabric, foil or lacy place mat on the platter for touch of class.
  
  
• 2). Prepare your cupcakes and decorate them as needed for your occasion.
  
  
• 3). Grab your first cupcake. If you are working with a round platter, place this cupcake in the middle. Place each subsequent cupcake around that middle cupcake. Work in circles, making sure there are no large, irregular gaps between the cupcakes and they are evenly spaced. If you are working with a square or rectangle platter, you can start on the edge or the middle of the platter. Work in rows to fill the platter. If there isn't enough to cover the whole platter, rearrange them so there is equal space on each side of the platter.
  
  
• 4). Display your cupcake arrangement in a convenient location. Add any decorations that fit with your theme. Flowers or wedding decorations are good for the formal day. Small toys or decorations are good for kid's parties. Have small plates and napkins handy.
  
  

Tiered Arrangement

• 1). Decide how many cupcakes there will be. You will need to know how much surface area you are working with.
  
  
• 2). Purchase a cupcake tier or make your own. You can cut various sizes of round Plexiglass circles and space the circles out in decreasing size from the bottom with thick dowels between them to make your own tier. You can also arrange various boxes for a quick and handy tier. Decorate the boxes themselves or arrange them in biggest to smallest and cover them with a decorative fabric or tablecloth.
  
  
• 3). Prepare and decorate your cupcakes. The frosting, colors and decorations should match your theme.
  
  
• 4). Place the cupcakes on the edges of the lower boxes and on the top of the highest box. Space the cupcakes out evenly along your tier, you don't want them all bunched together.
  
  
• 5). Decorate the tier and space between the cupcakes with fresh or artificial flowers, ribbon or any other decorations that match your theme. Place small plates and napkins near the tier.