I do love a dessert table! From baby showers to birthday parties; a themed dessert table laden with delicious sweet treats is a stunning edition to any event. But a wedding really is the perfect opportunity to really go all out with an epic dessert centrepiece.
I asked some of the best wedding stylists for their top tips for styling the perfect wedding dessert table.
Here's what they said:
“Dessert tables are becoming all the craze and rightly so. They create an engaging culinary experience for your guests which is fun and gets people talking. Try to incorporate different types of dessert to bring interest and texture to your dessert table. Rather than one large cake, consider having two or three different cakes. This also allows you to have different flavours and designs. I love the craze of having feast style dessert tables with cheese, cakes and then other dessert items like donuts and cake pops. Use props to place each dessert at different heights and create a focal point to bring it all together.”
Katie Slater from Songbird Weddings and Events
Cake Display Planning: Songbird Weddings and Events | Props and Styling: Dollys Vintage Tea Party | Cake: Keen for Cakes | Photography: Sarah Brookes Photography | Video: Hushabye Films | Venue: Branches Park | Floristry: The Midnight Garden Flower Farm
Dolly's tips for cake table Wow factor!
“From experience I would say the most important element of designing your composition would be to create symmetry and balance, primarily with the positioning of the cakes, followed by the props, draping flowers and pops of colour. Here I used textiles of luxurious gold, enchanting lace and navy velvet and took stimulus from the deep tones within the peacock feathers used. These colours then sensitively became the injection of blues, teal and soft lilac in Heather's exquisite iced flowers. Choosing a colour pallet that compliments the wedding or party theme you are styling and taking in to consideration the all-important back drop and placement of your dessert table will keep it all cohesive. Oh yes and if there isn't anything enchanting behind your table then try to make it. Finding ideas from images found on social networking sites can be fun and inspiring, but try to make it your own vision, it's much more fun. Think about the event, what desserts you are showcasing and the ease of service for your guests. Presenting your culinary delights on a variety of stands with varying heights will give an over all impact, but consider their practicalities too.”
Cake Display Planning: Songbird Weddings and Events Props and Styling: Dollys Vintage Tea Party | Cake: Keen for Cakes Photography: Sarah Brookes Photography | Video: Hushabye Films Venue: Branches Park | Floristry: The Midnight Garden Flower Farm
“As you will see I love using vintage furniture and eclectic props, along with natural foliage and flowers to create a creative and somewhat nostalgic composition. When designing yours, remember this is a piece of artistry that will be both admired and devoured!”
Haley from Dolly's Vintage Tea Party, Wedding & Event Stylist, Vintage Prop Hire
Emily Andrew Events
“For a dessert table that looks as delicious as it tastes try and create a cohesive look. This could be through sticking to a colour pallet, through through the design of each dessert or with selecting props to accessorise your display that fit to a theme.”
“Display is everything, so get inventive with the way you display the sweet treats, think hanging/different levels/different textures/cake stands/wooden platters/fine china. For the table itself this could be a stunning piece of furniture or a beautifully clothed trestle table, glass tables and drinks trolleys looks lovely. Think about the textiles you use too, velvet is really hot for next year so this could add an opulent textural base for your display or consider layering cotton linens with finer muslins or silks woven and draped between your dessert displays.”
Styling: Emily Andrew Events | Photography: Andy Davison
“Don’t forget to also include signage so guests know what they will be eating and the allergen information. Chalkboards, framed signs, handwritten cards, ornate calligraphy signs are all options – pick something which fits with the rest of your wedding design and personalise it to you.” Emily Andrew
Emily has styled many weddings and I got to work with her at a Country Luxe photoshoot in the stunning setting of Thurning Hall. I provided 3 wedding cakes and a selection of coordinating cupcakes, mini doughnuts and layered cake jars.
We created an impressive display on an antique dresser which reflected the treats back into the room via the original patinated mirror. The display was completed with some artfully arranged foliage and flowers from florist Sharon from Flower 30.
Styling & Creative Director: Emily Andrew Events | Photographer: Benjamin Mathers Flowers: Flowers 30 | Cakes: Imogen from Sugar Buttons Creative Tableware: Prezola
So much fantastic advice and some fabulous visual inspiration. Thank you ladies 🙂
As you can see from the ideas and images featured, the options for sweet (or savoury) dessert table treats are endless.
My own final tip is to combine your dessert table items with some take home gifts as wedding favours. Mini personalised jars of homemade jams, curds or salted caramel are a lovely idea particularly if they coordinate with your main Wedding Cake flavours.
Raspberry Jam Favour Jars: blog > | Custom Jar Favour: blog > | Tarts: Mini Banoffee, Toffee Popcorn, Dark & White Chocolate Tarts by Sugar Buttons
If you fancy bringing some delicious dessert magic to your wedding celebration, get in touch to discuss the vast array of options I can help you with. From cupcakes, decorated donuts, brownies and tiffin to personalised cookie favours. And these charming little fruit topped chocolate tarts are the perfect bite sized treat.
GET IN TOUCH