Wedding Cake, Dessert Or Both?!

After a full day of celebrations and eating massive feasts for several hours, many people are full by the end of the wedding. With pre-reception drinks and canapes, entrée and main everyone is very full. So what to do with the wedding cake? Many people are staring at this cake for hours thinking “do I even have room. This then brings the question to the couple “do we just do wedding cake or a dessert course or should we have both?”.

Wedding Cake Or Dessert Or Both

For many couples this does not even fathom but have felt the wrath of a full happy belly a wedding. You may have sat next to someone who said “no more food” or “I have a food baby”. As you can appreciate, you want your guests to enjoy themselves. No doubt they are enjoying what they are eating. There are a few option you can choose from.

Cake & Dessert (Traditional)

As you can guess to have cake and dessert is the most common approach. The reason is that many cakes are cut into smaller finger slices. They are served on platter for each table, allowing guests to help themselves. Whereas dessert is served as its own course. It really depends on the balance of cake to dessert ratio and the ability to compliment with tea and coffee.

Cake On Its Own

You can ignore the dessert all together and have all on its own. This can work a couple of ways. Firstly you purchase a bigger cake where the slices will be cut up larger and be substantial on their own. You could also speak with your venue and arrange for them to serve the cake with chocolates or ice-cream. Another thing to consider is the time of day and length of your reception. For example, a lunch time reception could be shorter and therefore cake on its own (or served with chocolates or ice-cream) could be sufficient.

For decades, the wedding cake has been a symbol of joy, good fortune, and togetherness. Its tiers signify the couple’s shared journey, and cutting the cake is a traditional highlight of the reception. However, the assumption that a wedding must revolve around a massive cake is no longer a hard-and-fast rule.

Weddings today have seen an increase in creativity and customization. Couples are abandoning tradition in favour of showcasing their distinct personalities and tales. This has resulted in a joyful boom of dessert options other than the typical cake, including cupcakes, macarons, mini tarts, doughnuts, and even savoury treats like cheese platters.

 

Dessert On Its Own

So you have elected to not have wedding cake but opt to serve dessert instead. This way your guests can enjoy a complete dessert course. This can also work if you decided to have a fake cake just for show or plan to focus on a more lavish dessert for you and your guests.

While a wedding cake can be tailored to include different flavours and fillings, including a selection of desserts can provide options for everyone, from the chocoholic to the fruit connoisseur. Include sweets that accommodate dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, vegan, or nut-free options, to ensure that every visitor has something delicious to eat. A variety of options can improve the overall guest experience, making your wedding even more memorable.

Dessert Bar & Candy Buffet & Even Fondue Chocolate Stations

It’s no secret that weddings can be costly affairs. Your dessert selection can have a huge impact on your finances. Wedding cakes, especially custom-designed ones, can be expensive due to the time and workmanship needed. If you want to maximise your selections while staying within your budget, a dessert bar with a variety of options can be a better option.

Having a dessert bar lets the guest choose what they will have for dessert. This option can be complemented with or without cake. You can have all sorts of versions of mini desserts, such as crème brûlée, mini mousses, tarts, and many more options.

This is not to be confused with a candy buffet which be can seen as more of sweet treats to end the night. You can also use a candy buffet as your gift to your guests by doubling it up as your wedding favours, by giving each guest a small jar or container to fill and take home. Couples can have the option to have either a dessert bar and / or a candy buffet.

Lastly, have you ever considered a fondue station / chocolate station with beautiful tasty flowing chocolate. This option is a great self service dessert option for your guests where they can eat as much or as little chocolate as they like 🙂

5 Factors to Consider Whether to Choose Cake, Dessert, or Both?

When organising your wedding reception, choosing between a traditional wedding cake and other desserts is critical. Several considerations should be taken into account to help you choose the best decision for your special day:

1. Personal Preference

As a couple, your own likes and preferences are important. Do you both enjoy cake, or do you prefer other treats such as pies, cupcakes, or ice cream? Your wedding should reflect who you are and what makes you happy.

2. Guest Preferences

Take into account your guests’ preferences and dietary constraints. If you have a broad group of visitors with varying preferences and dietary concerns (for example, gluten-free or vegan), providing a range of sweets helps ensure that everyone finds something they appreciate.

3. Wedding Theme

The theme and style of your wedding can impact your dessert selection. A traditional, beautiful wedding may favour a traditional wedding cake, while a rustic or bohemian-themed wedding may favour a dessert table with a variety of goodies.

4. Budget

Wedding cakes may be rather costly, particularly if you choose a huge, detailed design. Dessert bars with a variety of alternatives may be less expensive and more adaptable to a variety of budgets.

5. Wedding Size

The number of attendees at your wedding can have an impact on your decision. Smaller, more intimate weddings may benefit from a single cake, but larger weddings may benefit from a selection of sweets to satisfy everyone.

Wedding Cake, Dessert, or Both?

A wedding cake frequently serves as an eye-catching centrepiece. It may make a big impression because of its elaborate design, sophisticated accents, and custom cake toppers. It’s a recognisable component that blends in beautifully with the look and concept of the event.

Contrarily, choosing a dessert can result in a more engaging and personal experience. Your dessert table becomes an assortment of flavours, colours, and textures rather than one towering cake. With a plate full of sweets, guests may mingle and enjoy the festivities while curating their own dessert trip.

However, if a luxury cake is a must-have for you, try reducing the number of tiers or looking into other cost-effective design possibilities. By reducing the size or complexity of the cake, you can commit resources to other aspects of the event while still having a gorgeous centrepiece.

Have Both Cake and Dessert!

The solution to the wedding cake vs. dessert argument for many couples lies in achieving the appropriate balance between the two. Combining a small wedding cake with a variety of complimentary treats might provide the best of both worlds. This approach honours heritage while embracing new culinary trends and catering to a wide range of tastes.

Finally, the decision between a wedding cake, additional sweets, or a combination of both comes down to what resonates with you as a couple and what will make your guests feel cherished and well-cared for. Whatever road you take, you can be certain that the beautiful moments shared over these delightful delights will be remembered long after the final taste.

Weddings are a place where rules are intended to be broken and traditions are meant to be recreated. So, use your imagination and love of sweets to create a dessert experience as unique and wonderful as the journey you’re about to go on together.

 

Pink Caviar Events offers both dessert bars and candy buffets as part of their range. So if you are considering having one then be sure to contact us today to see how we can help. As I often say, it is your wedding and ultimately your decision but the question remains “Wedding Cake, Dessert Or Both?!”.

Conclusion

So, is the wedding cake a dessert or both? The response differs depending on the wedding. It reflects the couple’s preferences, traditions, and desire to plan a special celebration. What really counts is that it adds happiness and sweetness to your special day, regardless of whether you decide to make the wedding cake the main dessert or provide a variety of sweet delicacies. Weddings are all about celebrating the sweetness of love with the people who are most important to you. After all, love is sweet.

 

So are you having a wedding cake, dessert or both?