Unconventional Nuptials: Forgoing The Wedding Cake Tradition

Wedding cakes are a staple of wedding celebrations, but they're not for everyone. Some couples may prefer to skip the cake for a variety of reasons, such as cost, taste preferences, or simply not wanting to follow the traditional route. While some may worry about missing out on the cake-cutting ritual, there are plenty of alternative ways to include a sweet (or savoury!) treat that reflects the couple's personality and creates memorable moments for their special day.

Characteristics of not wanting a wedding cake

Offer guests a variety of desserts, such as macarons, cupcakes, or pies

If you're not a fan of wedding cake, there are plenty of other dessert options to offer your guests. Here are some ideas for offering a variety of treats:

Macarons

French macarons are perhaps the classiest cookies around. They are often displayed on their edges in a tiered serving platter, filling side out. However, you can also create a unique conical "cake" that shows off the cookies' hand-painted tops. Add some flowers and greenery to soften the edges and create a beautiful display.

Cupcakes

Cupcakes are a great option if you want the taste of cake without the expense. They can be displayed in a variety of ways, such as on a tiered stand or a table with different types of cupcakes, such as different flavors, sprinkles, and buttercream toppings. According to the 2023 The Knot Real Wedding Study, 38% of couples served cupcakes at their wedding, so this is a popular choice!

Pies

Pies are an unexpected but increasingly popular wedding dessert option. You can offer a variety of flavors to suit the season, such as strawberry rhubarb in the spring, pumpkin maple in the fall, blueberry in the summer, and apple for a winter wedding. If you're having a more intimate wedding, you could even bake the pies yourself to save money. Set up a pie station with toppings like whipped cream, or slice them into bite-sized squares for guests to enjoy throughout the night.

Other Dessert Ideas

In addition to the options above, here are some other unique dessert ideas to consider:

• Ice cream sundaes: Set up a sundae bar with a variety of ice cream flavors and toppings for guests to create their own custom treats.
• Doughnuts: Create a doughnut wall or tower, or have a DIY doughnut decoration station for guests to decorate their own.
• Cake pops: These are easy to make, decorate, and eat, and can be displayed in a variety of fun ways, such as bouquets or gardens.
• Waffles: Offer a waffle bar with different types of waffles, fillings, and toppings for a unique and interactive dessert experience.

Serve a non-cake sweet treat, like ice cream sandwiches or chocolate chip cookies

If you're looking for a fun dessert option for your wedding, serving non-cake sweet treats such as ice cream sandwiches or chocolate chip cookies is a great way to switch things up.

Ice cream gives off a playful, nostalgic vibe, making it a perfect choice for a relaxed celebration. It's a unique dessert option that will keep your guests cool and satisfied. To make it even more fun, you can set up an ice cream bar with different flavours and toppings, allowing your guests to create their own customised ice cream sandwiches. If you're looking for something more elegant, plated desserts such as grilled peaches with lemon sorbet are also an option.

Chocolate chip cookies are another delicious alternative to a traditional wedding cake. You can opt for a tiered cookie cake with vanilla buttercream frosting and sprinkles, or even colourful sugar cookie cakes. This option is perfect for smaller, more intimate weddings, as it adds a personal touch and is a fun twist on the classic cake.

Ultimately, it's your wedding, and you can choose to serve whatever desserts you and your partner enjoy. Whether it's ice cream sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies, or a combination of both, your guests will surely be delighted with these sweet treats.

Opt for a savoury option, like a cake made from stacked wheels of cheese

If you're not a fan of sweet treats, you can still have a "cake" at your wedding by opting for a savoury option, like a cake made from stacked wheels of cheese. This option is perfect for couples who want to include unique touches on their wedding day without completely dispensing with tradition.

To make a cheese wheel wedding cake, you'll need to consider the amount of cheese you'll need, the size of the cheese wheels, and how to stack them. A general rule is to plan for 2-4 ounces of cheese per guest. If you know your guests are cheese lovers, you can opt for the higher amount and freeze any leftovers.

When it comes to the size of the cheese wheels, the diameter is more important than the height for creating a visually appealing cake. You can use whole wheels, half wheels, or wedges to create the desired effect. To stack the wheels, ensure the tops are flat, and use wooden skewers for internal support, especially for softer cheeses.

You can decorate your cheese cake with rustic touches like a bark-covered wood slab, fresh fruits, nuts, and flowers. It's best to serve the cheese at room temperature, so allow it to temper for several hours before serving. Provide plenty of fruits, nuts, and crackers on the side.

Some couples choose to serve their cheese cake during the cocktail hour or as an appetizer before dinner. Others use it as a late-night snack for guests to enjoy with wine. If you're worried about guests cutting the cheese themselves, you can have the caterers cut it into quarters or slices and provide it on boards or platters.

A cheese wheel wedding cake is a unique and delicious alternative to a traditional wedding cake, offering a savoury option that your guests are sure to remember.

Choose a dessert that represents your heritage, like Italian cannolis or French crepes

If you're looking for a dessert that represents your heritage, there are plenty of options to choose from. For instance, you could serve Italian cannolis or French crêpes. These treats can be served in a variety of ways, with different spreads and fillings, such as vegetables, fruit, meat, and more.

If you're looking to honour your Scandinavian background, you could serve kransekake, a traditional dessert served at Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish special occasions. It's a cone-shaped dessert made of pastry puffs held together by threads of caramel. You could also offer small Swedish and Norwegian flags as decorations.

For those with Chinese heritage, you could opt for brightly coloured Chinese wedding cakes, also known as xi bings. These traditional pastries have a variety of fillings, each with its own symbolism for the couple. For instance, the red twill cake, filled with red beans, symbolises love, while yellow twill cakes, filled with mung bean paste, represent the groom's success in his career and love.

If you're looking for a more interactive dessert, you could have a sundae bar, a s'mores station, or a fondue fountain. Alternatively, you could offer handheld treats such as marshmallow pops, churros, or gelato.

Ultimately, it's your wedding, and you can choose any dessert that you and your partner love and that represents your heritage.

Go for a completely unique option, like a steak and potatoes cake

If you're looking for a truly unique alternative to a wedding cake, why not try a steak and potatoes cake? This option combines the visual elements of a traditional layer cake with savoury ingredients like beef and mashed potatoes.

The basic process of creating a steak cake involves using layers of ribeye, strip steak, and/or sirloin as the base. Smooth, buttery mashed potatoes act as frosting between the layers and on the surface. You can further decorate the cake with bacon or salami roses, sprigs of rosemary, green onions, and mint leaves. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add a splash of colour by substituting one layer of mashed potatoes with Chimichurri sauce.

Steak and potatoes cakes are a fun and unexpected way to surprise your guests and create a memorable experience. It's a savoury twist on the traditional wedding cake that is sure to be a conversation starter.

To make the steak cake even more festive, consider adding some extra touches. For example, you could use edible flowers or fresh herbs as additional garnishes. You could also serve the cake with a side of gravy or a dipping sauce that complements the flavours of the steak and potatoes.

Whether you choose to stick with the traditional wedding cake or go for a unique option like a steak and potatoes cake, the most important thing is that you and your partner feel happy and excited about your choice. Ultimately, it's your special day, and you should celebrate it in a way that reflects your personalities and tastes.

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