One of the longest standing wedding-day traditions remains the cutting of the cake. From six tiers to two, from real roses to sugar ones, cakes come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. And while the cake is an important part of your celebration, more and more couples are choosing to have alternative options. Some recent trends in weddings include a traditional wedding cake paired with a “groom’s cake”, serving up slices of a different dessert, or having a whole array of tasty treats with a dessert bar/buffet. All of these trends are a great way to add a little extra sugar to your reception and to also provide different options for those guests in attendance who may not always enjoy cake. Below are a few of my favorites!
1. Groom’s Cake
For those of you indecisive about what cake flavors (I mean, how are there so many!?), a Groom’s Cake is a great option for you. The Groom’s Cake, originating in the South, began as a gift from the bride to the groom and was often chocolate or dark liquor based to obtain “masculinity”. And then in terms of design, the traditional Groom’s Cake reflected the personality or hobbies of the groom and was elaborately designed- nothing like the traditional wedding cake. Nowadays, the Groom’s Cake can be anything you want it to be- a cake made to look like a baseball or even just a miniature version of your wedding cake but with different flavors. The Groom’s Cake can be what you make of it. Often times, the Groom’s Cake can also be used as your wedding favors to guests and you can get creative with the packaging if you decide that is what you want to do. Any way you do it, it will be sweet !
how adorable is this University of Tennessee inspired cake? Swoon worthy!
2. Gelato and Cheesecake and Pie… Oh My!
Gone are the days where you had to have a wedding cake at a wedding and in are the days where anything goes! A lot of couples are choosing to find a different dessert to serve guests rather than cake. Some couples don’t like cake, so why would they want to serve something they don’t enjoy? That’s why I suggest serving a dessert you can’t get enough of- it is the biggest celebration of your life and that dessert should be present! I love the idea of a Southern barn wedding serving up homemade pies in all sorts of tasty flavors or a beachy South Florida wedding handing out the always refreshing Key Lime Pies. Or even creating a gelato station with guests being able to try different flavors and decorate with different toppings. There are so many things you could do instead of having the wedding cake that you should not even worry about pleasing your guests. Who can say no to an ice cream bar? Or mini cheesecake bites? Or even a fondue station? See! So many options!
Gelato: source; Cheesecake: source; Pies: source
3. Dessert Bar/Buffet
Finally, for all of you sweet tooths out there (can you tell I am one?) when indecision really strikes, why not offer up a whole array of sweet things for your guests? My favorite wedding idea is a dessert table that you can have set up for guests to roam around and pick what they want the most. Keep things small so that guests can try a little bit of everything. Some of my favorite ideas for dessert bars are cake pops, mini creme brûlées, and a variety of decadent truffles. But the best part about a dessert bar is it can be completely catered to your wants and needs as a couple. Pick your favorites, or some you know your guests will really enjoy, and plan on it being one of your guests favorite part about your reception.
Marie Antoinette may have said “Let them eat cake!” but here at Enchanted Brides we say you can eat whatever sweet you want! Make sure to head to our vendors page to see the amazing cake designers and caterers we have in Nashville and South Florida!
