10 Alternative Wedding Dessert Ideas

Alternatives to the classic tiered confection are seemingly endless. While a white layered wedding cake is timeless, with all the energy spent creating a personalized, unique wedding, why settle for the traditional white wedding cake?

Instead of favoring with tradition, explore some alternatives that are more uniquely you. After you’ve customized every aspect of your day (from the song that will play as you walk down the aisle to the shoes that will pop under your dress of choice), your unique cake selection is a great opportunity to share your preferences with your guests. Of course you want to look forward to eating a big slice of your cake, but it should also be as unique as you.

While these options are all delicious and make a beautiful display during the reception, many of them are also more affordable options to the classic confection.

Here are some ideas for alternative desserts:

1. Waffle Bar. If your reception is earlier in the afternoon it’s a fun alternative to the cake, plus you can offer varying types of toppings and syrups.

2. Donuts. The hipster donut trend gives us another excuse to love this delicious creation.

3. Whoopie Pies. Traditionally a Maine dessert, these fun handheld treats can be made in an abundance of flavors and colors.

4. Dessert Bar. The choices are boundless! Candies, chocolates, rice krispie squares, cookies…

5. Individual Cakes. With a larger cake for photo opportunities and cutting at the wedding table, smaller individual cakes can be passed around to guests, plus, they’re adorable.

6. Cupcakes. Rosettes and piping galore make the perfect individual cakes. Plus, if you’re stuck on option five you can have a donut put on top of your cupcakes.

7. Ice Cream. Summer can be hot in Tahoe, offer your guests a cooling dessert. Mini-ice cream cones can be passed around during dancing too. An ice cream bar is a fun way to please guests as well.

8. Savory. Stacks of varying sized slices of pizza may be just enough fuel to get the dance party started without creating the sugar crash later.

9. Cake pops. This is a treat meant for mingling. Get your guests up out of their seats and enjoying themselves.

10. And last but not least… S’mores! This is Tahoe, after all. Nothing is more nostalgic than a s’mores bar for guests.