If there’s one constant among the most common wedding trends of the past several years, it’s the practice of taking traditional wedding staples and reinventing them to suit you and your partner’s tastes. This can apply everywhere from attire to decor to food, and one area that has seen a continual evolution in recent years is the wedding cake – if couples decide to go with a cake at all!
If you’re not a cake person or don’t want to shell out hundreds (or even thousands!) for an opulent cake, there are a number of great dessert options that can suit your tastes and your budget. Best of all, they can open up new opportunities to decorate and incorporate these desserts into your chosen wedding theme. Here are a few of the best wedding cake alternatives we’ve seen at Nanina’s in the Park!
- Cupcakes
This is by far the most popular nontraditional wedding cake alternative that have been embraced by couples all over the U.S. for good reasons! Cupcakes can be placed in jaw-dropping arrangements to enhance the visual appeal of your dessert table, and they can be found in just about any cake type and frosting flavor imaginable! This is a great option for couples who place a premium on variety and giving their guests as many choices as possible.
- Cake Pops
Want something that combines all the joy of a wedding cake in a handheld package? Cake pops are confections that are dipped in frosting and placed on lollypop sticks, which can make for a dazzling presentation on your dessert table! Much like cupcakes, cake pops can be found in every flavor and decorative style imaginable, and they are ideal for couples who want to give their guests the option to enjoy their desserts on the ride home!
- Local Specialties
Do you or your significant other hail from a part of the country that is known for a specific type of dessert? If so, this is a perfect option to showcase it as your chosen dessert to delight your out-of-town guests and enjoy a regional staple. Whether you’re hoping to serve Maine blueberry pie, a Floridian Key Lime pie or a selection of local candies and goodies, this is a great way to satiate your guests’ sweet tooth and showcase your roots.
- Ice Cream
While this may require a bit more preparation on your end, an ice cream bar is a wonderful way for your guests to create their favorite desserts from the ground up. Keep it simple with just a few flavors, but go for the gusto by incorporating a huge selection of ice cream toppings like sprinkles, crushed candies, gummy bears, fruit and more!
- Dessert Shots
This is a relatively new phenomenon in the wedding world that is essentially a slice of cake in a shot glass! These recipes typically involve layering ingredients like custard, whipped cream, nuts and other ingredients combined in a shot glass. These are typically no-bake desserts that can be eaten with a spoon or knocked back like a traditional shot, which can make for a unique spin on the wedding dessert.
