Planning a wedding and facing one of the most classic wedding dilemmas – a traditional cake or a trendy dessert table? Or maybe both? This is a question most couples ask themselves, because sweets at a wedding aren’t just about taste, but also about the entire visual presentation of the reception. Today I’ll help you analyze both options so you can make an informed decision – one that matches your style, budget, and guests’ expectations.
Traditional wedding cake – a classic that never goes out of style
The wedding cake is an element that has accompanied weddings for generations. The ceremonial cutting of the cake, the first bites together as a married couple, camera flashes going off – these moments have become permanently written into the wedding script. But in times when minimalism and personalization reign at receptions, is a multi-tiered cake still a must-have?
Advantages of a wedding cake
- A spectacular ceremonial moment. Cutting the cake is one of those moments that naturally attracts all guests. It’s the perfect moment for group photos and symbolically starting the sweet part of the evening.
- Elegant venue decoration. A beautiful cake can be a central decorative focal point – especially if it matches the wedding’s theme.
- One cohesive flavor for everyone. A good pastry chef will create a cake that delights most palates. You don’t have to worry about varying preferences.
- Easier logistics. One cake means one pickup, one transport, and one person responsible for everything. Simplicity has its advantages.
- A tradition that older guests will appreciate. Grandparents may expect this classic touch – for them, a wedding without a cake might seem incomplete.
Disadvantages of a wedding cake
- Limited flavor choices. Even a cake with several layers of different flavors won’t satisfy all preferences – what about guests who don’t like cream or sponge cake?
- High cost per serving. A truly impressive wedding cake can be quite expensive. And yet some guests may decline a serving anyway.
- Risk of poor execution. One cake means one shot – if the pastry chef disappoints, you don’t have a plan B.
- Storage problems. A multi-tiered cake requires proper conditions – on hot days, this can be a real challenge.
Dessert table – a wedding trend that won couples’ hearts
Dessert tables appeared at weddings relatively recently, but quickly gained enormous popularity. Colorful cupcakes, mini desserts, macarons, cake pops, tartlets – the possibilities are almost endless. But will this solution work at every wedding?
Advantages of a dessert table
- Variety of flavors and textures. Every guest will find something for themselves – from chocolate treats to fruity, light desserts. People with allergies or on special diets also have a chance at a treat.
- Wow effect throughout the evening. A well-arranged dessert table is a real feast for the eyes. Guests will be taking photos of desserts throughout the reception.
- Flexible portions. Guests decide for themselves how much and what they want to try. There’s no pressure to eat an entire slice of cake.
- Great meeting point. A dessert table naturally attracts guests and encourages mingling. It’s a place where conversations start.
- DIY possibility. You can prepare some sweets yourself or ask family for help – it’s a great way to personalize and save money.
Disadvantages of a dessert table
- No ceremonial moment. There’s no single, special moment of cutting the cake. For some couples, this might be a downside.
- Higher cost with great variety. If you want 10-15 types of sweets in adequate quantities, the bill might be higher than for a traditional cake.
- More difficult logistics. Orders from several suppliers, coordinating deliveries, arranging the table – this requires more organization.
- Hygiene concerns. Sweets displayed for several hours can attract insects (especially in summer) and collect dust.
- Risk of favorite items disappearing quickly. The most popular desserts may vanish in the first hour, leaving latecomers with nothing.
Why not both?
More and more couples are opting for a compromise – a smaller cake for the ceremonial cutting plus a dessert table with various treats. This solution combines tradition with modernity and gives you the best of both worlds. A smaller cake (even single-tiered) is enough for symbolic cutting and a joint photo, while the dessert table satisfies guests’ varied tastes.
Budget tip. If you choose the combined option, invest more in the dessert table and treat the cake more symbolically. A small, elegant cake at a modest price plus a varied dessert table is often a better solution than a grand cake and a sparse selection of desserts.
How to choose – a practical guide
The decision between a cake and a dessert table depends on several factors. Ask yourself these questions:
Choose a wedding cake if:
- Tradition and ceremony are important to you
- You’re planning an elegant, classic wedding
- Your guests are mainly older people who will appreciate the traditional approach
- You prefer simpler logistics and fewer decisions to make
- You have a trusted pastry chef who creates works of art
Choose a dessert table if:
- You care about variety and surprising your guests
- You’re planning a modern, unconventional reception
- Among your guests are people with various diets and allergies
- You like DIY and want to involve family in preparations
- The wedding is in boho, rustic, or vintage style
Sweets aren’t everything – remember the photos!
Regardless of whether you choose a cake, dessert table, or both solutions, one thing is certain – these moments are worth capturing. And here’s an interesting observation: your wedding photographer will take great photos of the cake cutting and dessert table arrangement, but what about the guests’ perspective? What about those spontaneous shots when your aunt tries a macaron for the first time in her life, or when children sneak another cupcake?
That’s exactly why it’s worth thinking about a way to collect photos from guests. The PixFiesta app solves this problem in a simple way – guests scan a QR code and can immediately upload photos to a shared gallery. No logging in, no installing apps. And after the wedding, you have access to all the shots – including those at the dessert table that the photographer might have missed.
Practical tips to finish
Before making your final decision, consider these practical aspects:
- Check the conditions at the venue. Is there air conditioning? Where can you set up the dessert table? Is there a place to store the cake?
- Coordinate the schedule with the DJ. When should the cake cutting or dessert table opening happen? Ideally 2-3 hours after the main course.
- Prepare a plan B for hot weather. In summer, cream-based sweets may not survive – opt for baked goods without cream or ensure proper cooling.
- Order more than you think you need. It’s better to have an excess of sweets than to look at an empty table at midnight. Leftovers can always be packed up for guests.
- Take care of documentation. Besides a photographer, consider providing guests with a simple tool for sharing photos, like PixFiesta. This way you’ll capture moments the professional won’t see.
Summary
There’s no definitive answer to what’s better – a wedding cake or a dessert table. It all depends on your style, budget, and expectations. A traditional cake gives you a ceremonial moment and classic elegance. A dessert table offers variety and a modern atmosphere. And combining both options might be the golden mean for the undecided.
Regardless of your choice, remember one thing – these sweet moments are worth capturing not only through the photographer’s eyes but also from the guests’ perspective. A simple QR code at the dessert table with the message “Share a photo of your favorite treats!” can bring truly lovely memories.
And speaking of collecting memories – if you don’t yet have an idea of how to gather photos from all guests in one place, check out PixFiesta. For an affordable price, you get a gallery where guests can upload photos throughout the evening – without installing an app, without logging in. Just a QR code. That’s probably simpler than choosing between a cake and a dessert table, right?
Try PixFiesta for free and see how easily you can collect all your wedding memories – including the sweet ones – in one place.