Wedding Tips | The Great Dessert Debate
One of our favorite parts of weddings (probably all of the guests’ too) is DESSERT! We absolutely adore the creative ways that couples choose to satisfy the sweet cravings of their guests. Whether you decide on small mini cupcakes or an ice cream truck vendor, the varieties seem limitless. When considering options for the dessert of choice on your special day, we have a few tips + tricks that we would love to share with you! Which (yummy) dessert(s) will win you over?
the traditional: cake
If you like chocolate, vanilla, or a mix of both – traditional wedding cake is always a great option. You can dress it up with a cute cake topper (check out Etsy stores), sprinkles, shimmer, etc. Also, if you opt to go the cupcake route, it’s always fun to have a small cake for the “cake cutting” traditional ceremony (this way, you have some frosting to put on your significant other’s face)!
Photo by: Kate Becker Photography; Cake: Miss Sara's Cakery
Photo (top) by: Emily Theisen Photography; Cake (top): Absolute Catering; Photo (bottom) by: Sophisticated Grace Photography; Cake (bottom): Top Tier Delights
Photo by: Tim Larson Photography; Cake: Buttercream Bakery
The semi-Traditional: cupcakes
The best thing about cupcakes is you can have them in assorted sizes. Have the traditional size, giant variety, mini cupcakes or, a combination! Cupcakes also come in unlimited flavor combinations, depending on the bakery you decide to go with. One of our favorite vendors, Nadia Cakes, was featured on Season 1 and 2 of TLC’s show Fabulous Cakes. They have a wide range of fun cupcake flavors and options, including Cookies & Cream, Lemon Drop, Peanut Butter Cup, Salted Caramel, and Vanilla Vanilla (Kellie’s absolute FAV).
Photo by: Kate Becker Photography; Cupcakes: Miss Sara's Cakery
Photo by: Asher Marie Photography; Cupcakes: The Thirsty Whale Bakery
Up Next: Cookies + Milk
Cookies are fun, easy, and a wonderful way to share your style. One wedding we helped with had the bakery make each family member’s favorite cookie, and these were noted at the wedding with a sign. We have also had the aunts of the couple make and bring their favorite dessert bars to share. These are such GREAT ways to get family involved on your special day. Also, consider adding some milk to the end of your cookie selection (because what’s a cookie without milk to go with it?)
Photo by: Lisa Jaster; Cookies: Cold Spring Bakery
Photo by: Lisa Jaster; Cookies: Cold Spring Bakery
Photo by: Lisa Jaster; Cookies: Cold Spring Bakery
Photo by: Kate Becker Photography; Cookies: Miss Sara's Cakery
Photo by: Lisa Jaster; Cookies: Cold Spring Bakery
HIGH FIVES FOR PIES
This is such a fun idea – pies of all kinds! We’ve seen regular pies baked by family members, or pies by one of our favorite vendors Sara’s Tipsy Pies. She can even provide mini pies, which can be placed on a stick, or pies in mason jars (how fun!). Sara has partnered with local wine, whiskey, and beer vendors such as 2 Gingers, Liftbridge, Saint Croix Vineyards, Finnegans, Third Street Brewhouse, Winehaven, etc., to add a little twist to her desserts.
Photo by: Agape Moments Photography; Pies: Sara’s Tipsy Pies
Photo by: Agape Moments Photography; Pies: Sara’s Tipsy Pies
Twist on tradition: Cheesecakes
You can’t really go wrong with a good cheesecake! The fun thing about cheesecakes is that you can also get mini cheesecake bites to satisfy the sweet tooth. This is a fun option to upgrade from regular cake that we [absolutely] adore. Check out Muddy Paws Cheesecake for some GREAT options!
Twist on Tradition: Cake Pops
Cake pops are another creative alternative to cake or cupcakes. You can display cake pops in mason jars, on cake pop stands, etc. They are also super easy to make if you are a DIY queen and have all of the right equipment.
Photo by: Asher Marie Photography; Cake pops: The Thirsty Whale Bakery
One of our favorite parts of weddings (probably all of the guests’ too) is DESSERT! We absolutely adore the creative ways that couples choose to satisfy the sweet cravings of their guests. Whether you decide on small mini cupcakes or an ice cream truck vendor, the varieties seem limitless. When considering options for the dessert of choice on your special day, we have a few tips + tricks that we would love to share with you! Which (yummy) dessert(s) will win you over?
TRADITIONAL [ask your parents, they’ll agree] C A K E: If you like chocolate, vanilla, or a mix of both – traditional wedding cake is always a great option. You can dress it up with a cute cake topper [check out Etsy stores], sprinkles, shimmer, etc. Also, if you opt to go the cupcake route, it’s always fun to have a small cake for the “cake cutting” traditional ceremony [this way, you have some frosting to put on your significant other’s face].Photo by: Kate Becker Photography; Cake: Miss Sara's CakeryPhoto (top) by: Emily Theisen Photography; Cake (top): Absolute Catering; Photo (bottom) by: Sophisticated Grace Photography; Cake (bottom): Top Tier DelightsPhoto by: Tim Larson Photography; Cake: Buttercream Bakery
Cupcakes [of A L L sizes]: The best thing about cupcakes is you can have them in assorted sizes. Have the traditional size, giant variety, mini cupcakes or, a combination! Cupcakes also come in unlimited flavor combinations, depending on the bakery you decide to go with. One of our favorite vendors, Nadia Cakes, was featured on Season 1 and 2 of TLC’s show Fabulous Cakes. They have a wide range of fun cupcake flavors and options, including Cookies & Cream, Lemon Drop, Peanut Butter Cup, Salted Caramel, and Vanilla Vanilla [Kellie’s absolute F A V].Photo by: Kate Becker Photography; Cupcakes: Miss Sara's CakeryPhoto by: Asher Marie Photography; Cupcakes: The Thirsty Whale Bakery
Cookies [& milk]: Cookies are fun, easy, and a wonderful way to share your style. One wedding we helped with had the bakery make each family member’s favorite cookie, and these were noted at the wedding with a sign. We have also had the aunts of the couple make and bring their favorite dessert bars to share. These are such G R E A T ways to get family involved on your special day. Also, consider adding some milk to the end of your cookie selection [because what’s a cookie without milk to go with it?].Photo by: Lisa Jaster; Cookies: Cold Spring BakeryPhoto by: Lisa Jaster; Cookies: Cold Spring BakeryPhoto by: Lisa Jaster; Cookies: Cold Spring BakeryPhoto by: Kate Becker Photography; Cookies: Miss Sara's CakeryPhoto by: Lisa Jaster; Cookies: Cold Spring Bakery
MOST CREATIVE [trust us, you’ll be happy you read this!]P I E: This is such a fun idea – pies of all kinds! We’ve seen regular pies baked by family members, or pies by one of our favorite vendors Sara’s Tipsy Pies. She can even provide mini pies, which can be placed on a stick, or pies in mason jars [how fun!]! Sara has partnered with local wine, whiskey, and beer vendors such as 2 Gingers, Liftbridge, Saint Croix Vineyards, Finnegans, Third Street Brewhouse, Winehaven, etc., to add a little twist to her desserts.Photo by: Agape Moments Photography; Pies: Sara’s Tipsy PiesPhoto by: Agape Moments Photography; Pies: Sara’s Tipsy Pies
Cheesecakes: You can’t really go wrong with a good cheesecake! The F U N thing about cheesecakes is that you can also get mini cheesecake bites to satisfy the sweet tooth. This is a fun option to upgrade from regular cake that we [absolutely] adore. Check out Muddy Paws Cheesecake for some G R E A T options!
Cake Pops [little rounds of deliciousness]: Cake pops are another creative alternative to cake or cupcakes. You can display cake pops in mason jars, on cake pop stands, etc. They are also super easy to make if you are a D I Y queen and have all of the right equipment.Photo by: Asher Marie Photography; Cake pops: The Thirsty Whale Bakery
Want s’more? [the answer is Y E S]:North Mallow offers a traveling S’mores Bar which includes 9 different flavored artisan marshmallows, a variety of different graham crackers, chocolates, and candy bars! They also bring along a “Roast Counselor” to give suggestions on how to make the perfect s’more [graham cracker + marshmallow + R E E S E S = yes please!].
NEW & NOTEWORTHY [because why not?]D E S S E R T trucks [how cool is this?]: One of the C O O L E S T new ideas that we have seen is catering in a dessert food truck. We’ve seen an ice cream truck [Minnesota Nice Cream], and are waiting for this to catch on to more weddings [we are aware that there is a cookie dough truck - N E E D to try this!].
[Mini] Dessert Shooters: Not a huge dessert fan? One idea for those wanting a L I G H T but sweet treat is adding mini dessert shooters as your dessert. These can come in different types of pudding, mousses, etc., and can contain all sorts of flavors.
D E S S E R T bars [of all types]: Another noteworthy idea for desserts is to consider adding a D I Y serve yourself bar of desserts! It could be a pie bar, cookies & milk bar, caramel apple bar, crepe making station, or even an ice cream sundae bar! A great friend of ours This Little Piggy Catering can help provide an ice cream bar or crepe making station. Their ice cream bar includes - delicious Bridgeman’s Ice Cream, peanuts, strawberries, cherries, M&M’S, Reeses, Oreos, sprinkles, warm hot fudge, and warm caramel. They also offer a 1919 keg of Root Beer for floats as well [ok this is S O fun]. Their crepe making station features Nutella, Caramel, Banana, Cinnamon twist, Lemon Supreme, Strawberry, Banana Strawberry Supreme, and Chocolate. It allows your guest to order just what they like [& you too]!
Cotton C A N D Y: We haven’t seen a couple do this yet, but think it would be S O fun to add a cotton candy machine to your dessert options, especially if you’re getting married on the fairgrounds. Think about this fun [& not overused] dessert idea.
AN ASSORTMENT OF YOUR FAVS [& we are sure we’ll agree]Mix & Match: There are S O many different desserts you can mix & match. It could be all cupcakes, but some mini sized and some regular sized, to cake pops and a traditional cake, or maybe cookies & an ice cream sundae bar [we could go on for D A Y S with options]. There is no “wrong” when it comes to your desserts & pairing a few great tastes together.
F L A V O R S: Most desserts come in multiple flavors [unless you’re sticking to one G I A N T cake]. Don’t forget to have a variety of flavors for your guests to choose from [& also watch for food allergies that you’re aware of for your guests], but they are going to be so grateful either way!Photo by: Nicole Spangler Photography; Donuts: Angel Food BakeryPhoto by: Eileen K Photography ; Cakes: Nothing Bundt CakesPhoto by: 99 Perspectives PhotographyPhoto by: Nicole Spangler Photography; Dessert bites: Angel Food Bakery
DISPLAYS [we can help!]Hey - let’s D I S P L A Y: The way that you choose to display your desserts can also dress up your reception space. Rustic Elegance provides a variety of display options to rent for your special day. We have plenty of cake stands, cupcake stands, wine barrel table, a vintage hutch, etc., that we would L O V E for you to use. When thinking about where you’re going to put your desserts, think about where your guests will be post dinner [hopefully on the D A N C E floor] and consider placing the desserts in an area close. Also, consider who is going to place your desserts on the display [& keep it full]. Will it be the dessert vendor, family, friends, or your day of coordinator [we can do that!]? Plan for this ahead of time so you aren’t stuck with a ton of extra sweets post-wedding [unless you want that - we wouldn’t mind it].
Photo by: Kate Becker PhotographyPhoto by: Asher Marie Photography ; Cake: The Thirsty Whale BakeryPhoto by: Jeannine Marie Photography Picture by: Jennifer Togal Photography; Cake: Nothing Bundt CakesPhoto by: Kelly Birch Photography As you can see, there is a ton of V A R I E T Y when it comes to desserts at weddings. You can go from traditional to something new, or a little of both, and you & your guests will be extremely happy.Photo by: Shelly Paulson PhotographyPhoto by: Emily Theisen Photography Photo by: Eileen K PhotographyPhoto by: Asher Marie Photography