Incredible Edibles

Let them eat cake—and lots more.

Wedding cake has been the reigning champion of post-nuptial desserts since the 16th century. So it should come as no surprise that after 500 years, wedding guests are growing a bit weary of the iconic three-tiered confection. And these days, with so many dessert options available, more and more brides are going against tradition and offering alternative treats for their guests with more varied palates.

Why serve slices of dry vanilla cake, when you can have myriad mini desserts? A dessert table is an elegant option that can please even the pickiest of guests.

“I find that a lot of people say they don’t love cake,” says Heidi Brice, senior special event planner at Puff ’n Stuff Catering. “They really love the decadence of desserts instead and having varieties available for their guests.” 

And those varieties are seemingly endless. According to Brice, brides are loving the newest trend of putting everything from squares of cake to chunks of fruit on a stick. 

“A lot of things that are on a stick are popular,” says Brice. “Brownie pops, cake lollipops, chocolate-covered strawberries. We make homemade marshmallows, and we can do those in color. We’ve also done rum balls, little cheesecakes and little key lime pies.” 

Not only do these mini desserts give receptions a trendy feel, but the desserts can even be decorated to go with the color scheme of the wedding. 

Taking it a step further, some brides have opted for dessert stations, where chefs make the wedding guests everything from classic Bananas Foster to campfire favorites like S’mores. 

 While some brides can let go of the three-tiered tradition, others may find it hard to resist the temptation to share a piece of cake with their new hubby. So, in addition to a dessert table, Brice says many brides opt for a small cake for the cutting ceremony. 

It may take some time to get used to the absence of the traditional three-tiered buttercream wedding cake. However, after one or two bites at the dessert table, it’s easy to see that this sweet trend is here to stay. 

Check out our Tasty Treats board for more cake and dessert inspiration.