Creating A Wedding Dessert Table: A Step-By-Step Guide

A dessert table is a great way to showcase your personality and style at your wedding. It's also a unique experience for your guests, who have likely had wedding cake a million times. Whether you're a fan of cake or not, a dessert table lets you get creative and offer a variety of treats that you and your partner love. From cupcakes to cookies, pies to candy bars, the options are endless. You can even get creative with how you display your desserts, using vintage dressers, antique desks, or a simple rustic table.

If you're worried about how much dessert to provide, a good rule of thumb is to offer 2-3 small treats per person and 5-6 different options. Don't forget to label your desserts, especially if you have guests with allergies or dietary restrictions. With a little planning and creativity, you can create a dessert table that will be a focal point at your wedding and leave your guests with a sweet impression.

Choosing a theme: Base your dessert table on your wedding theme, e.g. a French theme = macarons, rustic theme = mini pies

When it comes to choosing a theme for your wedding dessert table, one great option is to base it on your wedding theme. This can help tie your dessert table into the overall style and aesthetic of your wedding. For example, if you're having a French-themed wedding, you could include macarons on your dessert table. Macarons come in a variety of colours, so you can easily match them to your wedding colour palette. They also have a romantic, elegant feel, making them perfect for a wedding.

On the other hand, if your wedding has a rustic theme, you might want to include mini pies on your dessert table. You could also offer other rustic treats such as brownies, flapjacks and naked cakes. Presenting your desserts on wooden platters, log slices, or vintage furniture can also help to emphasise the rustic theme.

If you're looking for a more unusual theme, you could try a Parisian brunch wedding theme, with macarons and small cakes, or a travel-themed dessert table, with souvenirs and flags from different countries. Alternatively, you could base your dessert table on a colour theme, such as monochrome or pastel.

Table: Opt for a small, rustic table or a bar provided by the venue

When it comes to the table for your dessert spread, you have a few options. You could opt for a small, rustic table, perhaps made from wood, or you could use a bar provided by the venue. If you want to get creative, you could use a thrifted dresser, with open drawers to display more treats, or a desk with shelves to allow for layers of desserts. A lemonade stand-style structure or a small rustic trailer could also work well.

If you're looking to save money, you could use a regular fold-out table dressed up with beautiful linens or table runners. You could also repurpose furniture, such as a vintage cabinet, or use a metallic shelf or cart to house your sweets.

If you're going for a rustic theme, a wooden table or even a collection of tree stumps topped with a pane of glass can be a great option.

Service dishes and silverware: Use thrifted items, mason jars, cake stands, and small palette boxes to create different heights

When it comes to service dishes and silverware, there are many ways to get creative and elevate your wedding dessert table. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Thrifted Items

If you're looking for a unique and budget-friendly option, consider thrifting your service dishes and silverware. Hunt for vintage or antique pieces at reclamation yards or boot sales, or thrift stores. With a lick of paint and some quirky handles, you can transform an old dresser or desk into a stunning display for your wedding cake and desserts. Not only will this add a modern twist to the traditional wedding cake table, but it will also give your dessert table a one-of-a-kind look.

Mason Jars

Mason jars are a classic and versatile option for displaying your sweets and treats. Use mason jars of various sizes and shapes to create a simple yet effective display. They are a great way to change things up and offer your guests a variety of options. The best part? You can invest in mason jars for your wedding and continue to use them in your home or at future events.

Cake Stands

Cake stands are a great way to add height and visual interest to your dessert table. Look for stands with multiple layers or tiers to showcase your desserts and create a stunning centerpiece. Mixing modern cake stands with ruffled platters can evoke an elegant and sophisticated feel, especially when paired with a unique wedding cake.

Small Palette Boxes

Small palette boxes are perfect for creating different heights and levels on your dessert table. Use them to elevate certain items, such as cake stands or platters, and to add depth to your display. You can also use crates, chests, or other boxes that fit your wedding theme to create a cohesive and stylish look.

Remember, when it comes to service dishes and silverware, the key is to get creative and think outside the box. By mixing and matching different elements, you can create a dessert table that is not only functional but also a beautiful focal point at your wedding reception.

Labels: Label desserts with place cards or DIY labels, especially for those with allergies

Labelling the desserts on your wedding dessert table is an important step, especially if you are serving anything that may affect someone with allergies.

There are a few ways to go about labelling your desserts. You could ask your calligrapher to write the names of the desserts on place cards or label sheets. Alternatively, you could make your own labels by purchasing blank labels and printing on them with a good font, or writing them by hand. You can also buy labels from Etsy, such as black slate dessert labels, printable sign templates, or watercolour and driftwood table signs.

If you are serving several different desserts, it is recommended to label them all. This will allow guests to know exactly what they are eating, and it will also help those with allergies to know what is safe for them to eat. In addition to labels, you may also want to consider a menu sign, which can help guests to curate their plates and know which desserts are gluten-free, vegan, etc.

When creating your labels, be sure to include the name of the dessert, as well as any potential allergens. For example, if you are serving cookies with nuts, be sure to indicate this on the label. It is also a good idea to offer a small gluten-free and/or vegan option if you have guests with these dietary restrictions.

Plates and silverware for guests: Ask your rental company how much you'll need

Plates and silverware for guests can be a tricky aspect of planning a wedding dessert table. It is hard to predict how many guests will want dessert or remember to go for it. It is recommended to ask your rental company and/or wedding planner for advice on quantities. For serving cake at a wedding, it is usually best to order the full final guest count, just in case. It is also a good idea to order extra silverware in case someone drops a fork, and to have paper napkins available in addition to linen reception meal napkins.

When it comes to the type of plates and silverware, it is important to get creative based on your wedding theme and dessert choices. For example, if you are having a rustic wedding, consider using wood platters and log slices for serving dishes. If you are having a colourful wedding, you might want to use plates and cutlery that match your colour scheme.

If you are offering a variety of desserts, it is a good idea to provide different types of serving ware to suit each dessert. This could include:

• Cake stands
• Platters
• Mason jars
• Tongs
• Scooping utensils
• Spoons
• Cake cutters
• Heating or cooling pads

It is also important to consider the practicality of your table setup. For example, if you are offering sticky desserts, you might want to provide extra napkins or finger bowls. If you are offering messy foods like ice cream, consider providing extra spoons or bowls.

Frequently asked questions