Creating A Dreamy Ice Cream Bar For Your Wedding

An ice cream bar is a fun and unique way to serve dessert at your wedding. It is a great option for outdoor weddings, especially in a relaxed setting, and can be a delightful surprise for guests, bringing a sense of nostalgia and playfulness to your celebration. With a few simple tips and tricks, you can create a memorable ice cream bar experience that will be the highlight of your big day.

Self-serve ice cream sundae bar

A self-serve ice cream sundae bar is a perfect fit for outdoor and daytime weddings. It's a fun way for guests to customise their dessert and will be a favourite among both children and adults. Here are some tips to create a delightful sundae bar:

Ice Cream Flavours

Offer a variety of ice cream flavours to cater to different preferences. Three to six flavours should be sufficient, giving guests options without overwhelming them. You can even get creative and offer a signature flavour named after your pet, hometown, or wedding locale.

Toppings

Provide a range of toppings such as chocolate or strawberry sauce, M&Ms, Oreo cookies, peanut butter cups, sprinkles, and whipped cream. Don't forget the cones and paper napkins! Pre-scooping the ice cream will also make self-serving faster and reduce congestion around the buffet.

Presentation

Presentation is key to making your ice cream sundae bar visually appealing. Use cake stands of various heights to create dimension and incorporate your wedding theme or colours. You can also add a personal touch with creative signs, especially to indicate flavours and ingredients for guests with allergies.

Vintage Touch

Add a touch of vintage charm to your ice cream sundae bar. Use mason jars as containers for toppings, paired with chalkboard paint for labelling. You can even find vintage syrup pourers and ice cream carts to enhance the overall aesthetic.

Storage

When planning your ice cream sundae bar, don't forget about storage. Ensure your caterer has enough freezer room to keep the ice cream cold. Dry ice is a great way to keep ice cream cold for outdoor receptions; it sublimates instead of melting and won't make containers soggy.

Ice cream toppings and cones

When it comes to ice cream toppings and cones, the possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Toppings:

• Chocolate sauce
• Strawberry sauce
• M&Ms
• Oreo cookies
• Peanut butter cups
• Sprinkles
• Whipped cream
• Cherries
• Crushed nuts
• Caramel sauce
• Mini wafer cookies

Cones:

• Sugar cones
• Waffle cones
• Sprinkle cones: Dip cones in chocolate and sprinkle with your choice of toppings before the event.
• Mini cones: These can be served with multiple flavours and are a great option if you want to offer your guests a small treat before the reception.
• Customised cones: You can get creative and personalise your cones with monogram cone papers.
• Chocolate-dipped cones: Dip cones in chocolate and let your guests add their choice of toppings.
• Ready-to-go cones: Put single servings in jars that guests can grab, add toppings, and enjoy.

Ice cream truck

Hiring an ice cream truck for your wedding is a great way to surprise your guests and create a fun, memorable experience. Here are some tips and ideas to help you plan an ice cream truck for your special day:

Choose the Right Ice Cream Truck

First, research and select a reputable ice cream truck service that suits your needs. Look for a vendor that offers a good variety of ice cream options and has experience with weddings. For example, Roxy's Ice Cream Truck offers soft serve and 30 different varieties of frozen pre-packaged novelty ice creams, huge shaved ices, and more.

Timing is Everything

Consider the timing of the ice cream truck's arrival. A fun idea is to have the ice cream truck show up a couple of hours after the dancing starts, or as a late-night snack to keep the party going. If your venue doesn't allow a midnight arrival, you could have the ice cream truck arrive earlier and stay for the duration of the reception, or hire an ice cream cart instead.

Offer Variety

Provide your guests with a variety of ice cream options. Offer a few different flavours and plenty of toppings so that everyone can create their perfect dessert. You could also include other ice cream treats like ice cream sandwiches, milkshakes, or even boozy affogatos! If you're serving other sweets or a wedding cake, you may want to stick to just one or two ice cream flavours.

Customise Your Experience

Make your ice cream offerings unique and personalised. You could create a signature ice cream flavour named after your pet, hometown, or wedding locale. You could also offer creative toppings, such as crushed nuts or caramel sauce, or serve ice cream in unique vessels, like mason jars or gold-gilded cups.

Practical Considerations

Don't forget the practical aspects! Ensure you have enough freezer storage on-site to keep the ice cream cold before serving. If you're concerned about melting, use dry ice instead of regular ice to keep your ice cream cold for up to 24 hours. Also, consider having a menu sign on the side of the ice cream truck to help guests decide quickly and keep the line moving.

Create a Self-Serve Option

If you want to make it a self-serve experience, provide an organised setup with clear labelling. You could use a chalkboard sign to add flair and help guests identify the different flavours and toppings. This will also help guests with allergies easily identify ingredients.

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to creating a fun and memorable ice cream truck experience for your wedding guests!

Vintage ice cream parlour

If you're looking to create a vintage ice cream parlour for your wedding, here are some ideas to get you started.

First, consider hiring a vintage ice cream van to serve as your parlour. This will add to the vintage aesthetic and be a unique feature for your guests to enjoy. You could decorate the van with flowers and ribbons to match your colour scheme. Alternatively, set up a vintage-style ice cream cart, complete with a striped awning and a bell to announce its arrival.

For the ice cream, offer a variety of flavours with fun, creative names that tie into your wedding theme or pay homage to a special person in your life. Provide a selection of toppings and sauces, such as crushed nuts, whipped cream, cherries, sprinkles, and hot fudge. Present these toppings in elegant glassware or mason jars, with vintage silver ice cream parlour spoons for that extra touch of sophistication.

For the table settings, soft pastels with a punch of red will create a charming vintage atmosphere. Decorate the tables with custom monogrammed cone papers, ice cream-shaped cookies, vintage syrup pourers, and heart-shaped tin dishes for toppings. Add a pop of colour with gold or mint-coloured details, such as gilded signage and serving utensils.

Finally, don't forget to capture the moment! Set up a photo backdrop with a vintage ice cream parlour chair and a colourful, oversized ice cream prop for guests to pose with. Your vintage ice cream parlour is sure to be a sweet and memorable addition to your wedding day.

Ice cream signs

A key part of creating a DIY ice cream bar is the signage. You can get creative with the signage, incorporating it into the decor, or using it to elevate the overall look of your ice cream bar. Here are some ideas to consider:

• Chalkboard Mason Jars: Using Mason jars as containers for toppings, paired with chalkboard paint, allows you to label the toppings and provide a rustic, yet functional, display.
• Vintage Ice Cream Parlor: Customized monogram cone papers, ice-cream-cone-shaped cookies, vintage syrup pourers, and a beautifully designed backdrop can create a charming vintage ice cream parlor vibe.
• Mint and Gold: Work with the colour palette of your wedding and incorporate gilded signage. Carry the hues through all the details, including a gold scoop to serve mint chip ice cream.
• Rustic Country Wedding: If you're going for a rustic theme, consider hiring ice-cream bartenders or enlisting friends and family to help with scooping. This can add a bit of theatre to the ice cream bar and ensure a tidy serving area.
• Self-Serve Jars: For a more casual approach, prepare single servings in ready-to-go jars that guests can grab from a bucket of ice, add their desired toppings, and enjoy.
• Ice Cream Cart: A mini ice cream cart is perfect for smaller venues, offering a variety of flavours in a charming, compact package. It can also double as a cute selfie backdrop for your guests.
• Make-Your-Own-Sundae Buffet: Set up a pretty and inviting sundae buffet with a variety of toppings and sauces. This can be a fun and interactive way for guests to create their own unique dessert combinations.
• Ice Cream Banner: Hang a gold glitter paper banner with the words "Ice Cream Bar" above your dessert table or across a wall to draw attention to your ice cream offerings.
• Acrylic or Wooden Signs: Opt for clear acrylic or wooden base signs with phrases like "All You Need Is Love and Ice Cream" or "Ice Cream Bar" to add a modern or rustic touch to your dessert table.

Frequently asked questions