Junior Rasmussen
Deciding when to serve wedding cake and desserts is a key consideration for couples planning their big day. While it is a personal choice, guests typically expect at least one dessert option, and there are several factors to consider when determining the timing. For example, if you're having a plated dinner, it's recommended to serve the cake immediately after, while guests are still seated. However, some couples prefer to cut the cake later in the evening, perhaps after the first dance, to signal that the party is winding down. The type of dessert can also influence the timing, with a daytime wedding calling for lighter, fresher treats, and an evening celebration lending itself to more decadent options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dessert options | Wedding cake, gelato, pie, cupcakes, cookies, candy, chocolate fountain with fruit, doughnuts, dessert table/station, candy/popcorn bags to take home |
| Timing | Immediately after vows, after dinner, after the first dance, around 9 pm, or as a midnight snack |
| Number of desserts | Enough for all guests, with some extras. For small individual treats, multiply the number of guests by 2.5 or 3.5 if offering take-home bags |
| Cost | $2.50-$8 per slice of cake. Dessert tables are more expensive than a single cake. Cupcakes are a less expensive alternative |
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What You'll Learn
Dessert table vs. wedding cake
There are several factors to consider when deciding between a dessert table and a wedding cake. Here are some key points to help you make an informed decision:
Variety and Customisation
A dessert table offers a wider variety of options to cater to different tastes and preferences. It allows you to get creative and include a range of treats such as cupcakes, cookies, pies, doughnuts, and candy. You can even have a make-your-own sundae bar or a chocolate fountain with fruit for dipping. This variety can be a fun and interactive experience for your guests.
On the other hand, a wedding cake is more traditional and typically serves a single flavour or a limited number of flavours. However, you can still customise your wedding cake to match your wedding theme and colours, making it a stunning visual centrepiece for your reception.
Cost
The cost of desserts can vary depending on your choices. Generally, a wedding cake is considered more cost-effective, especially if you have a smaller guest list. You can also save money by ordering a smaller cake and supplementing it with other desserts.
Dessert tables may require additional expenses for stands, platters, and decorations to create an appealing display. They can also be more labour-intensive, as you may need to coordinate with multiple vendors or rely on homemade contributions from family and friends.
Cake Cutting Ceremony
The cake-cutting ceremony is a long-standing tradition that many couples choose to include in their wedding. It creates memorable moments, from feeding each other bites of cake to anticipating who will smear cream on the other's nose first. This ceremony is typically done with a wedding cake, although you could also incorporate a smaller cake into your dessert table for this purpose.
Guest Expectations and Satisfaction
While some guests may expect a traditional wedding cake, others may be delighted by the variety and interactivity of a dessert table. Ultimately, it's important to ensure there is enough dessert for everyone, regardless of your choice.
Timing and Logistics
The timing of your dessert service can also influence your decision. If you want to serve dessert after dinner but before opening the dance floor, a wedding cake may be more straightforward. Serving a variety of desserts from a dessert table may require more time for guests to peruse and choose their treats.
Additionally, consider the venue and whether you'll need shaded spots for delicate treats at an outdoor reception.
Personal Preference
Ultimately, the decision between a dessert table and a wedding cake comes down to your personal preference. If you and your partner are not big fans of cake, a dessert table might be the perfect alternative. Conversely, if you love the idea of a traditional cake-cutting ceremony and want to freeze the top tier for your anniversary, a wedding cake may be the better choice.
Some couples choose to offer both options, having a small cake for the cake-cutting ceremony and a dessert table with an assortment of treats to satisfy a range of tastes.
Remember, your wedding day should reflect your unique style and vision. Whether you choose a dessert table, a wedding cake, or a combination of both, ensure that it aligns with your tastes, budget, and the overall atmosphere you wish to create.
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When to serve dessert
The wedding cake and desserts are a significant part of the wedding day and are often a special moment during the reception. There are many different ways to approach the timing of serving dessert, and it is ultimately up to the couple's preference. Here are some options for when to serve dessert at a wedding:
After the Main Course
If you are serving a plated dinner, it is common to serve the wedding cake as dessert immediately after the main course while the guests are still seated. This approach ensures that guests who want to leave after the cake is cut can do so, and it allows time for staff to cut and plate the cake. However, some people prefer to cut the cake later in the evening, after the first dance, to avoid disrupting the flow of the evening.
As a Mid-Reception Pick-Me-Up
Some couples opt to serve cake or dessert as a little energy boost for their guests mid-reception. This can be a good time to serve dessert if you have many guests who love to dance, as it gives them a chance to refuel before returning to the dance floor.
As a Late-Night Snack
If you are planning a late-night wedding, you might want to serve dessert towards the end of the evening, around 9 pm. This can signal that the party is winding down, giving guests a sweet treat before they depart.
As a Daytime Treat
If you are having a daytime wedding, you might want to serve an earlier sweet treat, perhaps something light, fresh, and fruity to complement any champagne you may be serving.
As a Party Centrepiece
In some cultures, dessert is the centrepiece of the party. In this case, you might want to serve dessert later in the evening, after the main celebrations.
As a Pre-Dinner Treat
If you are having an indoor cake-cutting ceremony followed by outdoor celebrations, you might choose to serve dessert before dinner. This can be a good option if you want to ensure the dessert table is well-presented and photographed before guests start enjoying the treats.
It is worth noting that, while it is a personal choice, guests typically expect at least one dessert option at a wedding reception. Whether you opt for a grand wedding cake, a dessert table, or a simple cookie or candy offering, it is essential to consider your budget and the number of guests you will be serving.
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How much dessert you need
It is common for guests to expect at least one dessert option at a wedding reception. The number of desserts you need depends on your expected guest count. If you're serving a traditional wedding cake, you can use tiers to determine how many guests your cake will feed. Here are some estimates for round tiers:
- A 4-inch round tier serves about eight people.
- A 6-inch round tier serves 12.
- An 8-inch round tier serves 24.
- A 9-inch round tier serves 32.
- A 10-inch round tier serves 38.
- A 12-inch round tier serves 56.
- A 14-inch round tier serves 78.
- A 16-inch round tier serves 100.
If you're serving small individual treats like cookies or cupcakes, you can multiply your expected number of guests by 2.5. If you have room in your budget, you can increase this to 3.5 desserts per guest and offer take-home bags or boxes. In addition to or instead of a wedding cake, you might consider having a dessert table or station with a variety of cookies, brownies, or donuts.
Some couples choose to have an indoor cake-cutting ceremony followed by outdoor celebrations. You can also have the cake cutting after the main course or at the start or immediately after the toasts. If you have many guests who love to dance, you might wait until later, around 9:00 pm, to serve the cake after the party. This can signal that the party is winding down, giving guests time to dance before indulging in sweets.
To ensure you get to enjoy the desserts, ask your DJ to remind your guests to wait until you cut the cake or announce it's time for dessert.
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Choosing a dessert within your budget
Wedding cakes and desserts are a significant part of the celebration, and the average cost of wedding cakes and desserts has been steadily increasing over the years. For example, the national average cost of wedding cakes and desserts in the United States was $437 in 2012, $451 in 2013, and $466 in 2014. In expensive areas like New York City and Napa, California, cakes can cost upwards of $1200. However, there are ways to choose a dessert that fits within your budget.
Firstly, consider the type of dessert you want to serve. Wedding cakes are usually priced by the slice, so if you opt for a cake, you can reduce costs by ordering a smaller cake than your guest count, as not every guest will have a piece. You can also supplement the cake with more cost-effective desserts. For example, cupcakes are a popular and inexpensive option, and a plain sheet cake can taste just as good as an elegant, decorated cake but at a fraction of the cost. If you have your heart set on a large cake, you can create the illusion of size by separating each layer of cake with thick, decorated non-cake layers, such as styrofoam squares wrapped in glittering fabric. This way, you can have a three-tier cake that looks like a six-tier cake. Alternatively, you could opt for other desserts such as pies, doughnuts, or cookies, which can be relatively inexpensive and are currently on-trend for weddings.
Secondly, you can save money by carefully considering the design of your wedding cake. A significant portion of the cost of a wedding cake goes into the labour of constructing, icing, and detailing the cake. Shaped cakes, such as topsy-turvy cakes, can be very expensive due to the time and ingredients required to create them. Instead, opt for a square cake, which can feed more guests as it is easier to cut into a grid pattern. Another option is to create a deconstructed cake by displaying each tier on separate platters, eliminating the cost of stacking the cake. You can also save money by having a smaller, two- or three-tier cake for display and cake-cutting, while having a non-decorated, non-stacked sheet cake in the kitchen for serving to guests.
Lastly, consider the timing and presentation of your dessert. If you are having a plated dinner, it is customary to serve the cake with dinner or immediately after. However, if you would like to wait until later in the evening, you can serve the cake around 9 pm after the party, signalling that the celebration is winding down. If you opt for a dessert table, this may be more expensive than a single cake, as guests will take additional time to peruse and choose their treats. However, a dessert table can add a touch of extravagance to your reception and allow guests to sample a variety of treats.
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Dessert alternatives
There are many alternatives to the traditional wedding cake. If you're looking for something sweet, you could consider a croquembouche, a tower of cream puffs drizzled with caramelized sugar, which is the traditional wedding dessert in France. Cupcakes are another option, with 38% of couples serving them at their wedding, or you could offer your guests a selection of brownies, cookies, macarons, or doughnuts. For something more elegant, any dessert can be made to look like a wedding cake with the help of a professional baker—for example, a tower of doughnuts crowned with a small cutting cake.
If you're looking for something more unusual, you could try a cheesecake, or even a "cheese cake" made from stacked wheels of cheese, decorated with fresh fruit. For a summer wedding, a gelato cart or popsicles could be a fun option, or you could offer your guests tiny fruit-forward pastries. If you're looking for something more interactive, you could set up a dessert bar, or a cookie or candy table, or even a chocolate fountain with fruit for dipping.
If you're not interested in offering a sweet dessert, a pie bar or savoury pastries could be a good option. You could also offer guests a slice of your favourite bakery treat, such as lemon squares.
The timing of your dessert will depend on the style of your wedding. If you're having a seated dinner, it's traditional to serve the cake immediately after the meal. However, if you're having a dance floor, some couples prefer to serve the cake later in the evening, around 9 pm, to signal that the party is winding down.
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Frequently asked questions
It's entirely up to you, but guests typically expect at least one dessert option at a wedding reception.
It depends on the type of dinner you're serving. If you're having a plated dinner, it's best to serve dessert immediately after the main course while the guests are still seated. If you're having a buffet-style dinner, you can open the dessert table after dinner, around 20 minutes after it has been served. Alternatively, you can serve the wedding cake later in the evening, around 9 pm, to signal that the party is winding down.
The amount of dessert you need depends on the number of guests and the type of dessert you're serving. If you're serving a traditional wedding cake, you can estimate the number of guests a cake will feed based on the tiers. A 4-inch round tier serves about eight people, while a 16-inch round tier serves 100. If you're serving small individual treats like cookies or cupcakes, you can multiply your expected number of guests by 2.5.
Desserts can be expensive, but there are ways to save money. Consider serving your cake in half-slices or opting for cupcakes, which are usually less expensive than a full cake. You can also ask your guests to bring homemade desserts or choose a less sweet and simpler cake, as these tend to be cheaper.
