Creative Alternatives to the Tiered Wedding Cake

Not every wedding calls for a grand tiered wedding cake in a royal style. Some couples prefer a more low-key or unique dessert for their receptions, which is perfectly fine. If your idea of your dream wedding does not include cutting a formal five tiered wedding cake, consider one of these creative alternatives.

One simple idea is to have a deconstructed wedding cake. Maybe you want a cake, but the stacked tiers feel too formal for your entertaining style. Instead of three or five layers stacked into a tower, have each tier on its own stand. Display three or five (odd numbers work best) single layer cakes on fancy cake stands. The effect will be prettiest if the stands are similar, but do not match exactly. You can source an eclectic grouping at vintage stores or yard sales. As for the cakes themselves, they should be decorated in a similar enough fashion that they look like a cohesive unit, but they need not be exact replicas. For instance, a set of five cakes each in a different pastel hue with white ribbon trim would be delightful for a spring afternoon wedding. Separate layers is also a terrific option for the DIY bride, as you will avoid the problems of balancing the tall tiers and also of transporting one large cake.

There is no rule that the wedding dessert has to be cake. A fun trend for very casual weddings is brownie cakes. This would be a a fantastic type of sweet for a casual backyard wedding where the bride is wearing a simple dress with silver wedding jewelry. You have several options: the brownies can be baked and stacked like a layer cake, they can be made into cupcakes, or cut into the traditional squares and displayed on a tiered stand. Make the dessert more decadent by frosting the brownies with a mocha icing, or keep it simple by stenciling the top of the brownies with a powdered sugar design. Either choice will be delicious!

Perhaps you would like to introduce a bit of culture into your wedding reception. A wonderful alternative to the standard white frosted wedding cake is a croquembouche. This is the classic French wedding dessert, and one that is sure to delight your guests. The croquembouche is a tower of stacked profiteroles, which are cream filled pastries. It is not frosted, but is often drizzled with caramel or spun sugar. Threads of chocolate may also be dripped over the pastry tower. If you wish to add a bit of color, tuck a few fresh flowers in between the pastries – but just a few, as the croquembouche is not traditionally very elaborately adorned. Ooh la la!

For a country style wedding reception, fresh fruit cobbler would be a great dessert idea. Serve freshly churned ice cream with the fresh baked cobbler. Seasonal fruits will definitely add to the appeal of this dessert. Peaches, blueberries, and strawberries are among the favorites. Cobbler could be served at the type of wedding where the guests are dressed in sundresses with just a hint of silver wedding jewelry. It would be a good choice to follow a picnic lunch at the wedding reception.

Sometimes couples wonder how they will handle the cake cutting if they do not have a traditional tiered wedding cake. If you have individual cakes, it is a simple enough matter to cut the largest of them. Or pluck off a profiterole from the croquembouche to daintily feed to your new spouse. There will always be a way to have the "cake cutting" part of the reception, even without a traditional wedding cake.

About the Author: Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry, which specializes in fine handcrafted wedding jewelry. They create beautiful silver wedding jewelry, elegant pearl and crystal jewelry sets, and fabulous bridesmaid gifts.