Weddings/Events

Unique Wedding Dessert Ideas

An ocean view wedding ceremony at The Redondo Beach Historic Library, dessert table with donuts and fortune cookies
I'm Kari!

Wedding planner, designer, photographer and creative entrepreneur who helps curate epic events and sparks joy for clients through curated photography art. Let's hang and chat!

hey there

Get My Free
Venue Guide

Gimme that

Sharing more about my personal life, products I love + books I'm reading and daily habits.

TOp categories

Spilling the tea on business and everything I've learned over the last 9+ years as well. 

Check out our prints, our process and why we started the shop and more!

Get inspired with our wedding designs and all the details. Whether it's color, neutral palettes, traditional or very non-traditional. Plus lots of wedding planning tips!

Alternative Wedding Dessert Ideas For The Millennial Couple That Is Over Cake

As someone with a sweet tooth, I’ll admit a favorite part of my job is the wedding dessert table. (Guilty!) Look at any wedding blockbuster and you’re bound to see an elaborately iced wedding cake with cascading flowers. Having a wedding cake is a tradition that’s literally been passed down for centuries. And while the history of this traditional wedding dessert is fascinating, I’ve noticed more couples breaking tradition in favor of something that represents them more. Which I am all about! Below is a list of a few of my favorite unique takes on a wedding dessert:

Doughnuts (or Donuts)

Sogno del fiore wedding reception in Santa Ynez modern donut dessert table with gold sequin table cloth

I’m going to start with my favorite alternative wedding dessert: Donuts! Donuts are my favorite in general, but I love the way couples are adding these delicious bites to their day. From witty “donut” signs, to donut towers, to epic donut walls like from this wedding, sign me up for this wedding treat. 

Sogno del fiore wedding reception in Santa Ynez modern donut dessert table with gold sequin table cloth

Confections + Pastries

An ocean view wedding ceremony at The Redondo Beach Historic Library, dessert table
Photo by: Chloe Moore Photography

If you’re looking for a variety of dessert options to offer guests, consider a mix of confections + pastries. From marshmallows, to cake pops, a vendor that specializes in confections can bring your wildest dessert dreams to life. Incorporate your wedding colors or cookies in the shape of your home states like this couple. Or you can take your love international by incorporating a dessert like a croquembouche

An ocean view wedding ceremony at The Redondo Beach Historic Library, dessert table with teal cake pops
Photo by: Chloe Moore Photography
Photos by: Mary Costa Weddings
Photo by: Sisterlee Photography 
Photos by: Katelin Wallace Photography
Photos by:  Sun & Sparrow Photography

Pie

Green Gates at Flowing Lake wedding reception, wedding pie, celtic inspired wedding

When two of my dear friends got married in Washington last year, they served different pies for their celtic inspired wedding. The sweetest part was that all the pies were baked by their friends and family, making it even more memorable. 

Green Gates at Flowing Lake wedding reception, wedding pie, celtic inspired wedding
Green Gates at Flowing Lake wedding reception, wedding pie, celtic inspired wedding
Photos by:  Jennifer Apps Photography & Kelly Clare Photography

Straight Up Candy

Sugarfina Wedding Pasadena Wedding Unique Wedding Ceremony
Photo by: Rafal Bojar

Sometimes a baked good won’t do, and you just need to have candy. Using candy is a really great way to combine a wedding dessert with a guest favor too! I have worked at some really fun and unique wedding venues in my time as a planner, but when a couple chose the famous candy store, Sugarfina, as their ceremony spot, I knew it was going to be a hit. 

Photos by: Rafal Bojar
A music festival themed wedding reception at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, sugarfina guest favors
Photo by:  Kadi Tobin Photography
Photos by : Elizabeth Burgi

Dessert Truck or Cart

Photo by: Birds of a Feather

For an extra special treat for your guests, consider bringing in a dessert truck or cart. I’ve had a couple park an ice cream truck outside of their reception for a taste of nostalgia or another couple that hired Cool Haus to bring the chilly goodness inside. Another fun wedding dessert vendor is Bon Pouf. They’ll arrive with a cotton candy cart and attendant to give your guests a light and airy pick up during dancing.

For those of you who still want a hint of the tradition, consider a smaller cake just for you and your partner to cut into. No need to save any layers either; just ask the bakery to make you something fresh on your anniversary. If you’re worried guests will start eating the dessert thinking there’s a cake later, you can use a sign like this couple letting guests know to wait until after dinner to indulge!

Maravilla Gardens Wedding reception, hold your sweet tooth dessert table
Photo by: Sisterlee Photography

I hope this list helps you and your loved one pick the perfect wedding dessert for you. If you’re ready to start planning your dream wedding day (with amazing desserts), click the contact button on my homepage here and let’s set some time to chat! 

Feathered Arrow Signature Kari Dirksen

LATTE OBSESSED, CHRONIC OVERACHIEVER, OUTDOOR GIRL, SUCKER FOR LIVE MUSIC, DONUT FANATIC, LIFE LONG GREY'S ANATOMY FAN + DOG MOM. 

Expert Party Planner, Podcaster, and Creative Entrepreneur.

I'm a creative entrepreneur at heart and have been running my business for over 10 years and have planned and executed over 150+ weddings. I'm an expert in this industry and care deeply about my clients and making sure they have the best experience. I just launched a podcast with my work wife, Gabby Pinkerton of Cause We Can Events, called Just Another Biz Podcast! Go check it out!

Learn more

Did you just get engaged and wondering how the heck you should budget for the big day? Download my free guide to help you lay out a budget and how to plan for your big day.  

TOP RESOURCES

TOP RESOURCES

Download HERE

Take Me to the blog

Before You Go, Don't forget we have free stuff!

If you're looking for free tips to get started planning your dream wedding, head to this blog post for a round up of all our secrets and best planning advice.

© Feathered Arrow Studio 2014 -2023. All rights reserved. | Legal | Design by TONIC

@featheredarrowstudio

Planning epic celebrations + curating one of kind weddings since 2014. 
Los Angeles based but open to travel!

Feathered Arrow studio