Wedding Cake Alternatives
Using Cupcakes, Cheesecakes, and Other Desserts For Your Wedding
Jul 23, 2008
Wedding cake is almost always expected at a wedding reception. Often one of the centerpieces of the room, wedding cakes are a sculpture of artwork. They fascinate the young and old alike, eliciting breathtaking reactions from everyone who views them. But what if you just don't like cake?
There are many reasons brides and grooms are foregoing wedding cake in lieu of something a little tastier. Wedding cakes are expensive and while new shows like Ace of Cakes are stretching the imaginations of viewers, cakes can easily leave a lot to be desired, both in taste and design. Rather than spending hundreds of dollars on cake, brides and grooms may want to consider tasteful alternatives that are just as appealing as traditional wedding cakes.
Cupcakes
Technically, they are just mini cakes, but having a buffet of cupcakes allows your guests to choose a flavor they know they'll love. Their small size makes them easy to transport and provides perfect portion control for your guests. Additionally, they are friendly to the wallet, costing as little as $.75 per cupcakes as compared to upward of $2 per slice of wedding cake. Display them on beautiful cupcake stands, or wrap them in delicate, filigreed cupcake papers to create a feel of elegance.
Also consider small individual cakes at each place setting, which can double as a wedding favor, or buying a stand that looks like a tiered wedding cake, but actually holds the cupcakes instead. Many couples opt for one small layer of traditional wedding cake for cutting, then serve the guests cupcakes.
Cheesecakes
Cheesecakes have become such a popular wedding cake alternative that many cheesecake shops offer wedding packages featuring their specialty cakes. Far more rich in flavor than almost any cake, cheesecake can be made in nearly every flavor, and is easily tiered on a traditional cake stand. Watch your guests' faces light up when they are served a creamy slice of cheesecake instead of the same old sponge cake they're used to. The versatility of the cheesecake allows for individual squares or full sized cakes, whatever works best for you.
The Dessert Buffet and Other Options
Just can't decide? Why not host a dessert buffet? Items could range from a flowing fountain of chocolate complete with a selection of fresh fruit and other dipping items to a luscious stack of profiteroles. Love donuts? Why not contact your favorite bakery to make a stack of your favorite donuts. Offering items like cookies, brownies, and pie can be a fresh alternative, allowing each guest to pick what they want, while also keeping overall cost down. If you're having an autumn wedding, consider doing something even more unique, like a caramel apple bar, where guests can dip their apples into toppings like caramel, fudge, sprinkles, or candies.
Regardless of what you would like to do for your wedding reception dessert, remember that the sky is truly the limit when it comes to the menu. Make it memorable for you and your guests. Who says you have to have your cake and eat it, too?
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