While the big, traditional wedding cake shows no signs of going away, many couples are also including an array of sweet little bites at their receptions.
It’s an opportunity for newlyweds to show who they are, says Jennifer Cress, digital director at Martha Stewart Weddings.
“We’re seeing many couples include sweets that say something about their relationship, like a family cookie recipe, or their go-to ice cream flavour,” she says. “Every couple wants to personalize their wedding day as much as possible, and dessert is an easy way to do that.”
Desserts allow for culinary creativity — things like cake lollies, mini milkshakes, churros and alcoholic ice pops. And they give guests the chance to sample quick treats before getting back to the center of the party.
Other trends for the wedding sweet table are “breakfast for dessert” — mini waffles, pancakes or crepe stacks decked out with fresh fruit, whipped cream and other accompaniments -guests can easily pop these treats in their mouth and head back to the dance floor.
Donut holes and an array of sweet bites. Pic: Sara Reed Studios via AP
New Yorker Amanda Scott went to a wedding on Long Island recently where nobody wanted to sit and eat. “Servers came around the dance floor with apple pie shooters and little macaroons. People loved it!”
Margaret Foster of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, attended a September wedding in which the couple did without the cake entirely, to save money, concentrating their budget on venue, photographer and DJ. “There was a table with plates of mini desserts like cannolis, doughnuts, cheesecake and brownie bites. I loved how unique and intimate it all was — more about the bride, groom and their loved ones than wedding traditions,” she says. “They also provided little pastry bags for guests to take desserts home.”
And don’t overlook the social-media value of a decked-out dessert table - desserts tend to be one of the most Instagrammable moments of the night.