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By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher, Brides & Weddings
What began as cupcakes baked simply to bring joy to coworkers eventually led Cheryl Greene into the wedding industry. Now, Sweet Greene Cupcakery is bringing its approach to personalized, luxury desserts to the 2026 Brides & Weddings Cake-Off at Sweeney Barn in Manassas.
The woman-owned, Black-owned Virginia bakery specializes in bespoke wedding and corporate event desserts, from sophisticated wedding cakes to cake pops, sugar cookies, chocolate-dipped treats, and coordinated dessert tables.
But weddings were not originally part of Greene’s plan.
From Cupcakes for Coworkers to Wedding Cakes
Sweet Greene Cupcakery began with Greene baking cupcakes for coworkers because she enjoyed seeing how something she created could make people happy. The business grew into celebration cakes and desserts before a family friend signed her up for a local wedding show.
“At the time, I didn’t really think of myself as a wedding baker,” Greene said. “I just knew I loved creating desserts people enjoyed. But that day, something clicked and we’ve been hooked on weddings ever since.”
Today, Sweet Greene Cupcakery approaches desserts as edible works of art, designing them around each client’s celebration, color palette, theme, and personality.
“We believe that desserts should do more than satisfy your sweet tooth. They should leave a lasting impression,” Greene said. “Our approach is to create desserts that are beautiful to look at and incredible to taste, but most importantly, that bring people together in love.”
A Connection Leads to the Cake-Off
Greene’s path to this year’s Cake-Off came through the kind of wedding-industry connection that Women’s Wedding Network was created to encourage.
While working on a recent wedding, Greene met Elizabeth Kim. The two immediately connected, and Kim encouraged her to participate in the 2026 Brides & Weddings Cake-Off as an opportunity to showcase Sweet Greene Cupcakery and meet more people within the wedding industry. “I was both flattered and excited by the invitation, which is why I joined,” Greene said.
For Greene, the event provides an opportunity to do more than compete. “I love any opportunity that pushes us to get creative and share our vision for wedding cakes in a new and different way,” she said. “I’m equally excited for the chance to step out of our local circle, expand our network, and meet other talented cake artists and cake professionals.”
That opportunity is particularly valuable during wedding season, when bakers are usually concentrating on their clients rather than spending time together.
“We’re so busy during wedding season and don’t often get the opportunity to come together, connect, and celebrate creativity, so I’m really looking forward to that,” Greene said.
Your Wedding Cake Should Feel Like You
For engaged couples, Greene has one piece of advice she particularly wants them to understand: wedding cake does not have to be simply another item on the reception checklist. “Cake isn’t just dessert. It’s a moment,” Greene said. “It’s a shared experience that brings everyone in the room together.”
That includes the cake cutting, the dessert table, and even the first bite, all of which become part of the wedding experience shared with family and friends.
At Sweet Greene Cupcakery, personalization starts with getting to know the couple, including their story, style, colors, florals, and the details that make their celebration their own. “We create something that feels like an extension of their wedding and represents who they are as a couple,” Greene said. The same philosophy extends to flavor.
Sweet Greene Cupcakery offers signature flavors including Belgian Chocolate Mousse, Strawberry Champagne, Dulce de Leche, and Vanilla Dream, while also creating custom flavor combinations inspired by a couple’s tastes, traditions, or favorite things.
“I want couples to know they don’t have to choose something simply because it’s ‘traditional,'” Greene said. “Their wedding cake and desserts can, and should, feel like them on a plate.”
Meet Sweet Greene Cupcakery at the Cake-Off
Wedding professionals will have an opportunity to meet Greene and experience Sweet Greene Cupcakery’s work at the 2026 Brides & Weddings Cake-Off on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Sweeney Barn, 9310 Discovery Blvd. in Manassas.
Presented by Brides & Weddings through Women’s Wedding Network, the Cake-Off brings wedding professionals together for networking, lunch, tastings, competition, and voting while giving participating bakers an opportunity to showcase their businesses and creativity to the wedding community.
A percentage of event proceeds will support Give Back Prince William and its scholarship efforts.
Learn more about the event and attendance at the Brides & Weddings Cake-Off page.
Couples can learn more about wedding cakes, cupcakes, dessert tables, and custom creations from Sweet Greene Cupcakery or follow Sweet Greene Cupcakery on Instagram.
About the Author
Rebecca Barnes is the Publisher of Brides & Weddings and organizer of Women’s Wedding Network, connecting wedding professionals and engaged couples throughout Northern Virginia and the surrounding region.
