Cool New Trend: Ice cream wedding cakes are becoming a popular choice, offering a unique and refreshing alternative to traditional wedding cakes.
Personal and Playful: These cakes reflect the shift towards more personalized and less formal wedding celebrations, adding a playful twist to the reception.
Variety and Innovation: Ice cream wedding cakes come in a wide range of flavors and styles, from classic to exotic, ensuring there’s something to suit every taste and theme.
Diet-Friendly Options: Available in non-dairy and nut-free versions, these cakes cater to guests with specific dietary needs, ensuring everyone can enjoy a slice.
Customizable Designs: Couples can customize their ice cream wedding cakes to reflect their personal stories and preferences, making the dessert uniquely theirs.
Advanced Cooling Technologies: To keep them perfect until serving, these cakes utilize ultra-low temperature freezers and insulated displays.
Cost-Effective: Often more budget-friendly than traditional wedding cakes, ice cream wedding cakes can free up funds for other aspects of the wedding celebration.
Interactive Dessert Experience: Serving ice cream cake from beautifully decorated carts or trucks adds an interactive, fun element to the reception.
Weddings are taking a deliciously cool turn with one of the sweetest trends to hit the aisle being ice cream wedding cakes.
Gone are the days when stiff multi-tiered cakes were the only option for celebrating your special day. Today, more couples now go for something uniquely refreshing.
What if after saying your vows, you then celebrate it with a slice of ice cream cake that literally melts in your mouth?
I know you’re curious how such a delightful twist came to be a highlight at weddings. It all started with a bit of creativity and a love for breaking the mold.
Ice cream wedding cakes shows how personal and playful modern weddings have become. And if you’ve ever enjoyed the jingle and joy that an ice cream truck brings to a sunny day, you can imagine the magic it can bring to your wedding reception.
This trend is simply a smart choice. Ice cream cakes offer that personal touch that traditional cakes might miss.
A wedding cake is the centrepiece of any wedding celebration. And a cake topper can help make your wedding cake unique and personal. However, choosing the perfect topper can be overwhelming with so many options. In this ultimate guide to choosing a wedding cake topper, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know to make the perfect choice.
If you are a bride whose dream wedding vision includes a towering, magnificent and spellbinding masterpiece cake, detailed wedding cake plans are on your list of must-do’s!
Your cake designer is a single person who can bring your perfect wedding cake to life. However, she needs your ideas and inputs to execute the plan to perfection. Although she may have her own suggestions and ideas, it may not meet your expectations unless you provide her the blueprint to plan her cake around. This simply means that you cannot start with a blank slate. You need to first do a list of things before you meet with your cake designer and discuss the cake design. Let us take a look at this list now.
Get inspired
Just like with wedding dresses, there is a whole world of fabulous wedding cakes waiting to be discovered. You will find drool-worthy pages and pages on Pinterest, in bridal magazines, on cake websites as well as on our own wedding cake gallery. Your first step to planning your wedding cake is identifying what you want. Begin by setting up a wedding inspiration board (read all about it on our previous post here), and adding pictures to it. If you find interesting pictures in magazines, collect them too. Begin at random, by just dragging any picture that appeals to you onto your inspiration board. Once you have a number of pictures, edit out the ones that do not seem as interesting as they did initially. As you do this, you should see a pattern emerge, and this will help you identify the factor that appeals to you. It could be the color combinations, style, texture, the decoration used, shape, size, or any other factor. Once you recognize what it is, it will be easier to refine your board and eliminate those that do not feature this factor. This will bring you closer to your final idea of how your wedding cake should be.
Research your options
Once you have narrowed down your choices to just those that would be ideal for your cake design, it is time to research and identify what would work. For this, consider the various details about each of the cakes you’ve shortlisted. Some questions to help you in this direction are
what are the ingredients used in the frosting—fondant, buttercream, etc?
What techniques may be involved in making the design?
Is there any special work involved?
How are the special touches done?
Are the accessories you like ready-made or custom-created by the baker?
Why do you think you like a particular detail?
What would be the features you could eliminate if required?
Match it to your wedding
Your wedding cake, as much as it is an entity on its own, still has to belong to the wedding. For this, you should match it to the wedding theme. This would be in terms of colors, features, style, and size. Where cakes are concerned, your options are numerous. You can have a wedding cake with as many layers as you want, without all the tiers actually being “cake.” Or, you can have a couture cake that is impressive and serves for the cake cutting, while the guests are served with sheet cake slices in the same flavor. This brings down the cost, which is a very important factor in making your final cake decisions.
Determine your Budget
The quantity of cake you need depends on the number of guests at your wedding. Before meeting with your cake designer, you should compile information on the guest count, and calculate your cake budget. This will help you decide on the possible options, so you have enough cake for all your guests, while also meeting your expectations. Once you know the maximum you can afford to spend on a cake, it will also put you in a position to shortlist a suitable cake designer who will do the job for you within your set budget. This also gives you a general idea of the little extras that you can afford to have, without eating into other aspects of your wedding.
Consider aesthetic aspects
The main factor that influences your choice for the cake is how it will finally look. Here are the aesthetic factors that you should consider.
Wedding theme: There are different ways in which you can integrate the cake into the wedding theme. This could be using the colors or similar details that are part of your décor.
Wedding colors: A talented and experienced cake designer should be able to create your cake in any color of your choice. She may also be able to suggest colors that work together, or tell you if something you suggest will not look good when executed. While all colors are possible, it is best to remember that appetizing cakes are usually done in light, breezy colors. So, you may like to stick with the lighter colors in your palette, for your cake.
Shape and Size: This article should help you understand the different cake shapes you can have at your wedding. This includes both traditional and contemporary styles, so you know about all the choices you have. If you have a limited budget, remember that simple shapes like round and square cost less, while the topsy-turvy shape or irregular ones will usually cost more. Where the size of the cake is concerned, you can have a huge-tiered cake, with faux tiers in between as a budget-friendly option. Or, if this is one area where you don’t mind splurging, go with the real thing all the way.
Cake accessories and decorations: You can dress your cake up easily, using suitable accessories and decorations. You have plenty of options, including fresh blooms, sugar flowers, plastic figures, and other accessories. Think of what you would like to have on your cake. Would you prefer elaborate embellishments, ready-made cake decorations, or ones made from fondant or sugar?
Taste options—what should you consider?
Just like with the aesthetics, the taste of your cake is equally important. Do this correctly by paying close attention to the following factors.
Shortlist the flavors you like
You will be overwhelmed with the flavor options available. Avoid confusion by shortlisting a few of your favorites, before you even visit your designer. You can then look at these flavors and anything similar that may suit your palette. Once you narrow down your choices, your cake designer can arrange for the chosen flavors at your tasting session. Although you can always go with a bold and unusual choice, remember that if you stick to common flavors, it will most likely be liked by all. Your cake should also be soft, spongy, and moist.
Discuss your filling choices
The overall taste of the cake will depend on the filling that you choose for it. So, decide whether you want something fruity, creamy, or chocolate. You can make this decision based on your personal preferences, or by looking at what is easily available and budget-friendly.
Choose your icing options
The icing will not only determine the finish of the cake, but also the taste. Some bakers specialize in fondant, while others are experts with buttercream. It is best to choose a vendor who has enough experience in working with the medium you prefer, for best results.
Check with your venue for any restrictions
Some venues have restrictions on what you are allowed to serve at your wedding. Some of them require you to use their in-house bakers itself, while others allow you to bring your own cake designer for an additional fee. Considering health and safety requirements, it may be necessary to go with a licensed professional for your wedding day. So, you should check for this factor with the venue manager in advance, before scouting for a vendor.
How will the cake get to the venue?
Getting your cake to the venue without damage is very important. If your cake designer will not be working onsite, you will have to check for the transport arrangements to get the finished cake to your venue. Will your baker arrange for this, or will you have to make transport arrangements yourself. If it has to be transported, the size of the cake will determine whether it will have to be transported in one piece or, if it will be assembled on-site. An experienced baker will normally have the provision to supply your cake to the reception venue. If this isn’t available, and you have to transport it by yourself, make sure you will be able to do it efficiently. Discuss the details about how it has to be transported as soon as you settle on the design.
The flexibility factor
Cakes in magazines and pictures may not always be easy to replicate. Each baker will have a unique style. As creative artists, they will appreciate a certain level of freedom, so they can contribute in their own way. If you are very particular about replicating certain aspects of a cake, make sure that you look for a cake designer who is equipped and experienced in working on that aspect. Moreover, replicating a picture entirely doesn’t make the design your own. So, we suggest you keep your options available to discuss what can be done to make a cake design that is your own. Also, keep the actual logistics in mind when you choose to go for a cake design you pick from a picture. The replication may look different in color, or the details may differ to a certain extent. Your cake designer will give you a correct idea of the extent to which your ideas are practical, and what changes would give you better results. Be open to such suggestions, and it will be a lot easier for both of you.
Create your list of preferred cake designers
Based on reviews, recommendations, and your own research, you should shortlist the vendors who would be good candidates for your job. Make sure you have more than just one option, in case the person you want is booked already, or you aren’t satisfied with what they have to offer when you actually meet. In all cases, it is advised to first start visiting with vendors you like most. So, if you find a cake designer who you like, you can immediately finalize the deal without having to check on any more vendors.
Discuss your plans with your fiance first
Unless your fiance doesn’t really care about how your wedding cake looks, it is necessary to gather his inputs as well, before you come to a final decision. Before you meet a cake designer, discuss the design together and come to an agreement on what you both like. Both of you should be happy with the design, flavor, and other details.
Once you have a clear idea of all the above-mentioned factors, you are ready to visit your cake designer and discuss your ideas. It is much easier for a cake designer to give you what you want when you have a very clear idea of what you would like. Nevertheless, be open to ideas and suggestions, as your cake designer is an experienced professional, and can give you valuable inputs on making the cake that is just perfect for your big day.
For more inputs and great inspiration for your special day, visit our online cake gallery at Best for Bride. Apart from delicious and great looking cakes, we also offer brides many more wedding services. With an impressive inventory of dresses for the wedding party and an exquisite designer wedding dress collection, we are the one-stop destination for everything a bride needs when planning the event of her lifetime. You can also find wedding stationery, wedding favors, décor accessories, and beautiful accessories on our website. Visit us online today, to see what we can do to complete your wedding day.
The wedding cake has, and will always be, an irreplaceable wedding icon. The size, shape and structure may change, but it will undeniably be a wedding symbol that cannot be switched out.
Nevertheless, more and more couples are choosing to look beyond the traditional wedding cake for their wedding dessert. The reasons are plenty—they may not like cake, they want something more budget-friendly, it could be to make it more unique, or simply because they want more than just cake.
Whatever be the reason, there are plenty of dessert options out there, and this is what we will look at today. Whether you want to use just these desserts at your reception, or add it to the dessert bar along with your wedding cake, we are sure they’ll be smashing successes. So, hop on and find out what your deliciously indulgent and sweet choices are.
1.Donuts
They may be fried, they may be sweet, but everyone knows that donuts are a favorite in the world of desserts. Everyone from young children to teenagers and adults love donuts, and this is precisely why you should have this treat at your wedding. Whether you keep it simple, or dress it up and vary the mix, it will be a great addition to your dessert spread. You can also experiment with the size. While spongy soft, big donuts will be ideal as a snack or an edible party favor, the smaller dressed up versions drizzled with chocolate or sprinkled with colorful cake accessories are bite-sized treats that everyone will partake. For a more elegant finish, have the donuts glazed with frosting that matches the colors of your wedding palette and stack them up on a tiered cake rack to resemble a wedding cake. This way you can make them the stars of the show.
2. Bundt cakes
Trade off the traditional tiered cake for individual Bundt cakes at each guest table. This will be a refreshing natural dessert that can be enjoyed by one and all. Without complicated details and frosting, all your guests will love to snack on at least a bite of it, post dinner. Not only is this an economical option, it is also easy to create. You can also have a single dessert spread with a number of Bundt cakes in different flavors, allowing your guests to pick slices from the lot. And, don’t forget to experiment with various flavors to find one that will match your wedding theme and personal flavor preferences. Flavors like lime and orange are right for the warmer months, while ginger, cinnamon and chocolate are great for autumn and winter. Bundt cakes are particularly good choices for outdoor weddings in gardens and backyards, as they look just right in with the natural surroundings. Consider serving a luscious spread of cream and fresh tropical fruit slices to complete this great dessert choice, if your wedding is a spring or summertime affair in the outdoors.
3.Pies
There are many bakers who specialize in creating spectacular looking and delicious pies. Pies are wholesome and hearty food options. You can pack in various flavors to satisfy all your guests, whether they have a sweet tooth or prefer savory choices. If you want to replace the entire wedding cake with a pie bar, consider using pies of various dimensions and dressing up the arrangement using platters at different heights. Bite-sized pies can also double up as wedding favors for your guests to take home. Or, you can have a couture wedding cake and devote the rest of the dessert spread to various types of pies. Having pies as part of your reception dessert will save you money, as you can easily whip up stunning flavors using any seasonal or locally available items. Think of flavors like berries for spring and apple for winter, and you will have several options that cannot go wrong. Just make sure that your pies are extra luscious and buttery and have lavish doses of sweetness, crunch and cream to make them just perfect.
4.Cupcakes
Our eternal favorite, cupcakes are a dessert that can liven up any wedding reception. They allow you to customize to the finest detail, so these delightful little treats are just perfect for your big celebration. Experiment with not just the flavors and frosting, but also with accessories like the cupcake toppers and pretty cupcake cases in patterns and prints, till you find the right mix that instantly adds a dash of personality to your sweet spread. Whether you choose to serve cupcakes at the guest tables, or have it as part of the dessert buffet, they are a fantastic treat that will be appreciated. You can even order extra, for edible party favors that your guests can take home and indulge in at leisure. When you place cupcakes in a tiered arrangement, they will resemble a wedding cake. By tying the design to the colors of your wedding and using suitable textures in the frosting, you can easily make it the focal element in your décor. Our love bird damask display cake tower featured in the picture here will allow you to create a stunning extravaganza with up to 75 cupcakes of your choice.
5.Mixed dessert platter
Instead of a single dessert, how about serving an assortment of fanciful treats for the last course? This way, your guests can choose the ones that they favor from the platter that is placed on the table. It also gives your chef the option to perfect each sweet treat in its own special way, and create a marvelous arrangement by assorting them. Your guests will appreciate the opportunity to pick the one they love from the convenience of where they are seated. Bite-sized treats like mini cheesecake slices, festive macaroons, creamy mini-donuts and frosted cookies are all suitable desserts for the purpose. Make sure that each platter will have different types of desserts in terms of flavors, textures, colors and sweetness. This way, there will be something to satisfy every one of your guests. Arrange to have more of the popular ones, so nobody misses the treat they like from the spread. With a little clever planning, you can have the whole thing done on a much smaller budget than the typical wedding cake would cost you. Despite this, the impact will be even more strong, as a yummy dessert course is often unforgettable.
6.Smore station
Bring the fun of camping to your wedding with a s’more station as your key dessert feature. You can also arrange individual hibachis at the guests tables, if your venue allows it. Although it may involve a little effort for your guests to toast their own marshmallows, we are sure they’ll enjoy the experience, which is still quite uncommon. After all, who doesn’t love this campfire staple. Upgrade the humble snack by choosing different flavors like coconut and caramel for a different taste. You can also switch out the standard Graham crackers for biscuit thins and add a few extras like syrups and sauces, to make it a wholesome dessert.
7.Waffles
Perfect for a wedding brunch, fresh and warm waffles are a great dessert choice. You can also consider adding this to your dessert spread, even when you host your reception in the evening. More suited to casual style weddings, waffles are a delicious treat that most of your guests will like. The best way to have waffles is when they are made to order. Consider setting up a number of waffle stations at your reception venue, so everyone gets their waffles without having to wait for long. Add extras like syrups, chocolate sprinkles, berries, fruits, cream and ice cream on the side, and let your guests help themselves to it. Think of how wonderful this dessert idea would be on a cold winter evening. So, if you have a winter wedding on the cards, this is one idea you should definitely consider. If you have a small wedding, you can have a waffle platter like the one shown here, with various flavors for your guests to choose from.
8.Cheese tier or platter
Not really a dessert in the true sense, but we think cheese can end a meal on a beautiful and satisfying note. Some people are ready to switch out the sweet for a beautiful platter of rich cheese. If you belong to this group, the idea of a cheese platter or tiered cheese wheels may appeal to you. Make sure you choose from the best and most delicious cheeses you find, so you make a signature statement with your choice. Whether you serve cheese platters at the guest tables, or stack up cheese wheels to resemble the traditional tiered cake, it is entirely up to you. Nevertheless, remember that at least some guests will look forward to a sweet ending to the meal. So, don’t disappoint them. Add a small dessert to the spread, so that the focus still stays on the cheese, but everyone is happy.
9.Pancakes
A close competitor to waffles, pancakes are now a trending dessert favorite. Particularly suited to reception brunches, when you want your guests to devour the warmest and fluffiest soul-stirring treats, pancakes add that casual and homey touch to any setting. Like waffles, pancakes too must be served warm to keep it fresh. It is a perfect dessert idea for casual weddings. Although a stack of pancakes may not be as grand as a wedding cake, these are the sweet little things that your guests will never say “No” to. Either serve up the thick breakfast variety, or go with rolled up crepes that are garnished and stuffed with sweet goodness. Add a dusting of castor sugar, or dress them up with syrup, cream, fruits and honey, or give your guests the honor of choosing the toppings themselves. You can also make these pancakes special by adding in flavors like banana, cinnamon or cream cheese, for extra taste.
10.Fruit tarts
Deliciously summery and refreshingly sweet, fruit tarts are like little drops of heaven after a heavy wedding meal. They are loved by everyone. Rustic and organic looking, everyone will instantly take to this dessert, and a fruity tart adds the perfect finishing touches to a grand wedding meal. While it isn’t too sweet or sticky, it still has the power to satisfy that sweet craving your guests will have at the end of a meal. Find a baker who can create some drama by whipping up the tart topping so it looks interesting and isn’t something your guests would expect to see. You can also set up a display of tarts in different fruit flavors, so all your guests have the option to dip into the one that they love most. This way you can bring together the sweetness of apple with the citrusy freshness of orange and the punch of berries, all to your dessert table. The other option is to have individual bite-sized mini tarts in a range of flavors, and add it to your dessert buffet as the masterpiece. Be lavish with the spread of cream, fruits and drizzles of sweet syrups, and your choice will be one that your guests will always remember.
This brings us to the end of some of the alternate wedding desserts you may like to consider for your big celebration. Which of these did you like? And can you think of any more that you would love to have at your wedding, in place of the tiered traditional wedding cake? If so, do let us know in the comments below.
For the latest trends, ideas and advice on everything wedding related, don’t forget to keep checking back here. Also visit our online wedding shop at Best for Bride for everything you need for your big day, from your wedding dress to accessories and outfits for the entire bridal party.
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