I don't want a cake... but what do I do!?

OH I remember now that one of the weddings I went to I think had cake but I didn't see/eat it BUT they did have an ice cream sundae/banana split bar. I also didn't have that because I was stuffed from cocktail hour/dinner but thought it was way cute/clever.

Don't have friends or family bake the cake. Unless they own a bakery and you are paying them.

You can do a dessert or candy bar instead. Talk to your caterer and see if they offer anything. Or a bakery in town. You can do cupcakes, brownies, pie, cookies, doughnuts, etc.

Definitely go for a dessert alternative, there are so many options!!

I also fully support your decision to skip the cake-cutting It was hands down the most awkward part of the entire day, and we wish we had skipped it!

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/cakes-desserts/17-unique-wedding-dessert-ideas

As a guest, I don't care as long as there is dessert. I've said it before and I'll say it again, sober me thinks that cupcakes and s'mores are silly at weddings. Drunk me thinks they are amazing.

If you're not doing a cake cutting, buy a sheet cake and serve it. Nobody will care. They will just be happy to have cake.

FH loves pie. And I could care less. So we are doing pie. However we will have a small gluten free cake that we will cut and then give out to family members who have an allergy.

We are doing a dessert bar! Having mini chocolate mousse, tiramisu, fruits tartlets, chocolate covered strawberries and macaron.

I am totally team #dessertbar. You can still have 'cake' like options in there for those that like cake.

We are doing a brownie bar, with treats to top the brownie. We will also have a small cake for anyone that prefers that as well! I know as a guest, I am always super excited for the dessert,

Leah it was amazinggg! I didn't get a chance to eat our main meal, but I had like 5 s'mores lol

Donut Tower/wall or dessert bar

We have a cheesecake from cheesecake factory and doing mini cheesecakes for guests.

I work part time for a wedding caterer on the side. A lot of the weddings we did in 2016 included a desert bar in addition to or in place of a cake. Things we served (from a professional bakery) brownies, macarons, cookies, cider donuts, mini cheesecakes, pie, candy, popcorn. There are a lot of other options, but I would suggest a small round cake (at least).

My sister decorates cakes, so we are planning on her decorating a dummy cake and doing a sheet cake in the back for those people who want cake. However, we are going to have a sweets bar with cupcakes, and etc. we are having a lake side wedding so there will be a smores bar as well. (We have a lot of kids coming)

But we want to do our own thing but still make the traditional parents happy.

A dessert bar/cupcakes/donuts/etc will likely rival the cost of a cake.

Just get a cake. People like cake. It's a wedding.

ETA: You don't have to cut it!

People expect a slice of wedding cake at a wedding. People expect to see a wedding cake sitting behind the couple during the reception. You don't have to do an official cake cutting (although why you wouldn't makes no sense to me. It takes all of four minutes). You also don't have to spend "tons of money" on a wedding cake. Plenty of grocery store bakeries create perfectly acceptable wedding cakes that are very reasonable. Keep it simple and clean, and perhaps ask your florist to garnish the cake with a few fresh flowers. Then, have the venue cut and serve the cake. It's as relevant and expected as the spotlight dances.

ETA: What is the point of a styrofoam cake? If you aren't a professional baker with styrofoam cakes in the window of your bakery, why would you ever use one of them at a wedding and then serve sheet cake? Bait and switch? Sorry, I fail to see the logic...especially when someone finds out that the four tier cake is made of foam and inedible (which will spread).

And Shannon -- no, no, no...nothing different for the bridal party, whether it's hard liquor while the rest of the guests are sipping on wine and beer, prime rib while the rest of the guests are eating pasta, or bakery cake while the rest of the guests are eating a Costco sheet cake.

I've never cared one way or the other about wedding cake. If it's there, I'll eat it, but I'm usually one of the only guests eating it! I won't be disappointed if there isn't a cake. I've been to a wedding with brownies and donuts (loved it), pies (yes please), and just normal Halloween candy (not so great). So basically just don't do Halloween candy lol.

I thought about doing a dummy cake because I love the look of a huge cake but didn't want to spend $5,000. I eventually decided against it because of the logistics. They are beautiful though and can be a big saver. A lot of people use sheet cakes when serving even if they do have a cutting cake. I see nothing wrong with that. I do not think people care whether it's cake or something else. Every wedding I've been to had tables full of cakes slices leftover because everyone wanted to dance and drink and didn't care about cake. I never eat the cake.

The thing is, the reception isn't for you. It's for your guests and the majority of guests expect and like cake. Get a cheap one from Costco or Publix, but have cake.

Thank you again for all of the feedback! We do know that a dessert table can cost a good amount as well, so it isn't necessarily a money saver. However, we aren't having a "traditional" wedding. Our wedding is very much a reflection of who we are, and s'mores bar with some additional desserts sounds perfect to us! Plus, it totally does sound like a cozy addition to a winter wedding so THANK YOU to everyone who mentioned s'mores bar! We talked to some family and friends as well, and they're on board. Half of them said they probably wouldn't even eat dessert anyway! We're sticking with no cake cutting (SO not us!!!!)... so we're skipping the cake in favor of other desserts!

I went to a wedding and they had pie. Different kinds. And just a small naked cake for them to cut.