Dessert Table Noms
Photo credit: Mike Pham Photography
My team and I had another fun-filled wedding weekend. A highlight from this weekend is I saw 3 former clients - two of them had weddings in the last 5 years, and one was a surprise retirement party. SO FUN!
As we reminisced back to their weddings, I realized all 3 of them had one thing in common... EPIC DESSERT BARS. When I say epic, I mean a dessert display at each guest table, 6-7 pieces of dessert for each person, plus flowers and other decor to highlight the desserts!
Epic dessert bars are definitely a signature Fred and Kate move, so keep reading to learn some of our tips to make your tableside dessert bar unforgettable!
Tip #1: Tableside dessert bars are NOT for the faint of heart.
I tell couples that a tableside dessert bar is a 3-in-1 concept. It will act as (1) their dessert, (2) their favor, and (3) a centerpiece on the table. With this said, this is often not the cheapest option. In order to make the table look full, you will need a lot of desserts (I like to suggest 6-8 pieces per person), plus miscellaneous display pieces. In addition to that, we like to be strategic with your dessert selections - different shapes, textures, how are they displayed (can they be stacked or tossed together or all lay flat)? We want a nice mix of desserts in order to make this your centerpiece, in addition to just yummy food. The desserts will be viewed from all angles (360 degrees), so it needs to look good from all sides. With all of these details to think about, if you're looking for a simple and easy, this might not be the best option for your wedding. Again, this is not for the faint of heart.
TIP #2: If possible, get your desserts through one company.
We've done several weddings that have done DIY dessert bars with treats from all of their favorite dessert spots. While this always great for your tummy, it often doesn't create a consistent display for the guest tables. Items are often not cut consistently, or they are too similar, or they all don't hold up as well so some end up looking way better than others by the end of the night. If you're considering a dessert table as your centerpiece, it's nice to have a clean, consistent look.
TIP #3: Have a plan for the set up and breakdown.
The wedding featuring this dessert bar pictured above and below had over 1500 pieces of desserts, which means it took over 2+ hour set everything up with about 8 of us! Keep in mind, this needs to be set up AFTER the linens are set on the tables, so it can't be done first. For breakdown, you will have multiple dirty and sticky trays (about 5-10 trays per guest table) so you need to think about what's happening to them? Is there a place onsite to wash them? Are you taking them home to wash? These are all things to consider before you commit yourself to a dessert table.
TIP #4: Choose your dessert selection wisely.
If you're having an outdoor wedding, there are additional factors to consider. A clear top tent will keep your space hotter for longer, so dessert selection is key. Chocolate WILL melt if it's out for hours under a clear top tent. The time of sunset on your wedding day will determine how early you can set up your desserts. The cooler, the better. This is my unpopular opinion: cake pops are cute but I don't like them for a dessert table. Hear me out! Cake pops are tiny, so while they're delicious, you need more desserts to complete your table. Size matters!!
TIP #5: HAVE FUN!
Dessert tables are A LOT of work, and additional planning and coordination. At the end of the day, are they worth it? 100% YES! Guests are ALWAYS thoroughly impressed and will experience it with all of their senses. They will SMELL the sugar when they walk into a ballroom, and HEAR the ooohs and aaahs as they realize their display is just for them!
Are you considering dessert tables for your wedding? Do it, you won't regret it! Let us know how we can help.