Cake vs dessert bar

We are doing a dessert bar. In my opinion it's more fun and guests can pick and chose the yummies that they want. I love that it gets folks up and moving around and it gives me another table to decorate and make super fun! We will have a very small round single tier cake, probably on a pedestal or under a glass cloche jar, that we will eat later (but won't be cut up or given to guests).

My last DD had a phenomenal dessert bar - very well received. My first DD had a phenomenal wedding cake from my favorite baker - people came back for seconds and we had no leftovers which made me sad as I was looking forward to that.

I will caution you that, for us, one was not more economical than the other.

One other thing I will add: way back in the day the cake cutting signaled the end of the reception - which was usually a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon instead of several hours with drinks, dinner, and dancing on a Saturday night. That cake cutting at the end is still traditional in many areas and people complain about having so much cake left over. People who have been drinking a few hours aren't nearly as likely to eat it as those who can have it as dessert with their meal.

3 of my girls had the cake/dessert buffet ready to go right after dinner. They chose to do first look pictures and come to the last half of the cocktail hour where they did their first dance and cut the cake (dessert buffet was just up until dinner was served). IMO that is why we had little to no leftovers. I know you didn't ask that, but it just popped into my head.

@brooklynbride - why would you display a cake that you aren't going to serve? That is in poor taste. If i were a guest and saw those cakes you pictured I would be drooling only to learn that it is a case of "you don't get any, those are special just for us". If you aren't going to serve it don't display it!

We are doing a dessert buffet, after dinner is served they will set it up. Like Jeleebeenz said is true. I have 5 desserts cannolis, cupcakes, individual cheesecakes, lemon tarts and brownies. All cupcake sized 150 pieces total for $300, 55 guests. I never priced out a cake, I just knew I didn't want to do a cake cutting. I will also have to go containers for guests in case I have leftover desserts.

@Jeleebeenz, I have been to several weddings where there was a very small cake (1 or 2 tiers) on a display with the cake topper and never served to guests (just for 'cake cutting') and a dessert bar or sheet cake and I didn't hear anybody say (nor did I think) it was in poor taste? I think it is becoming more common to have a "something else" to serve guests and the cake (or fake cake) is just for pictures.

I think it's a great idea! Not everyone likes cake and having a dessert bar will give people the option of having alternatives.

I love cake. Ever since Celia mentioned the chocolate cake with cheese cake between the layers all I can think of is cake. cake. and more cake.

Our venue comes with a dessert bar, so that's what we are doing. We are also doing his and hers cupcakes for the cake cutting ceremony. Cupcakes are our favors as we didn't think people would go for the cake/cupcakes when they could have cannolis, cookie pie, etc, but that way they still have the option of cake if they want it.

Our venue includes a dessert bar in our package (cannolis, cookies, mini cheesecake), but we are still having a wedding cake. Mainly because every time I think of cake, I start drooling. Lol. It's just a matter of preference...if you really want variety, go for the small cutting cake with the dessert bar.

I typically don't eat dessert at weddings, because when I'm drinking I'm not really eating dessert and once I'm on the dance floor, I'm not going to take a break for it. Just my two cents lol.

Also, change your avatar! The rings are associated with trolls/spam and it will help you get more responses.

Well for me there is nothing more yummy than cake. I will admit I am always disappointed when I go to a wedding and there is no cake. It's only happened like twice but I was so geared up for cake that I had to go get a cupcake the next day! To me dessert bars are great but I don't see why cupcakes or a small cake can't be a part of them. If that's the way you're going it doesn't have to be a big cake or decorated fancy like a traditional wedding cake but if you're having several different kinds of desserts and people do associate cake with weddings and often look forward to it I see no reason not to have it as one of the offered options.

@annakay511 thanks for the heads up! I just created my account last night so I wasn't aware of that issue

I'm still planning on having a cake, just more of a muted, understated design. I think that the dessert bar is more visually appealing than just a cake while allowing each guest to choose something they may like better.

Cake cake cake!! whats a wedding without a cake lol jk - thats just my personal preference.

Cake.

I went to a wedding in May that had a dessert bar, and it was popular, but I held off for cake. :-)

I'm having both because I love cake but he doesn't. We'll have cake, a bunch of different pies (his fav), and at the end of the night a cookie bar because we both love cookies.

I can't imagine anyone would be upset about not having the cake, especially with it being so dern small? We will only be having one tiny cake (not multiples as the photo references). I suppose I never thought it was in poor taste?

There will be so many other delicious dessert options (over 15 types including my most favorite cupcakes), so I would hope I wouldn't get any angry looks from guests....

@Brooklynbride I don't see it as being in poor taste. I view it the same as saving the top tier of your cake for your first anniversary. No guests ever get mad for the couple doing that, it's an accepted practice.

I suppose if I was eating aforementioned cake AT the wedding, all the while taunting my guests with how amazingly delicious it was, then yes that may be in poor taste.

Anyhoo, my vote is still for dessert bar.

We had desserts only, and everyone loved it. So i would opt for a small cake and desserts.