Dessert tables have become increasingly popular and it's not very hard to understand why. They're ridiculously pretty and better yet, they're ridiculously tasty! If you plan to treat your guests with a dessert table here are a few tips on how to make it look as great as it tastes. Once you've had your fill of advice click here to feast your eyes on 50 (yes 50!) jaw dropping dessert table ideas that will inspire you to create your own.
Step 1: The Bits and Pieces
Everything begins with a little spark of inspiration and a beautiful idea. First things first-you'll need to select a theme or color scheme, because just like your wedding your dessert table should be visually cohesive.
Next comes the fun part, selecting all of your delicious goodies! An important part of every tasty table is variety. Since there are so many yummy things out there it is all too easy to find the perfect mix for your event.
Now that you have all of your delectable morsels chosen you know exactly what will be on your dessert table, but your guests don't. Labels for each item, will not only look darling but will also help prevent any allergy uh-oh's. It will also let your guests choose exactly what their sweet tooth is craving without any guess work. It's also a good idea to provide some dressed up goodie bags or boxes. This way guests can enjoy some sweets on the way home.
Step 2: Create The Look
Don't wait until the day of your wedding to set up your dessert table display; a day or two before the big day set up all of the display dishes and decor. This ensures that everything will be exactly where you want it to be and will look gorgeous. All you'll have to do on the day of is pop the treats in place and voila! Are you loving the pink and gold dessert table above? Photographed by Lee Bird Photography and designed by Avie & Lulu. As for the design of the table itself symmetry is often used to pull everything together, but balanced asymmetrical looks can be just as cute. Choose whichever one feels the most like you. Every dessert table has it's focal point, most often the wedding cake, but if you are going cake free just choose whichever piece is tallest or most eye catching. To properly showcase all of your sweet treats it's important to have lots of levels with the tallest in back and shortest in front. Tiered stands and a variety of heights of cake stands are a simple and easy way to pull that off, however we've seen some unique and cute ideas that are just as workable, such as mini hay bales, vintage crates and suitcases, or if you choose to display your treats on something other than a flat table like a dresser or cupboard they may have built in levels of their own.
Step 3: Embellish and Beautify
Draw attention to your dessert table. Lovely floral blooms and other decor pieces can be added to brighten up the table itself and accent all the goodies. One of the best ways to get all eyes on your dessert table is to have a super cute backdrop. This can be anything from dazzling signage, ombre balloon displays, streamers or ribbons, and banners or buntings, or a mix. You can also dress up the front of the table for a little extra sparkle. The very last thing to do also happens to be the best: enjoy your dessert table and all the delights it holds! The perfect example of a cake table that is the perfect package all around is the one below found here, photographed by Sonya Khegay Photography.
This mint, blush and gold dessert table is so swoon-worthy we can't stand it! See it again here.Balloon ombre backdrop? Yes please! See more of the details here, photographed by Duy Khang Photography.Loving the large pinwheel flowers and the elegant pastel color theme. See all the details here, photographed by Fiona Kelly Photography.This enchanted garden wedding was so much fun and the idea of cotton candy on your dessert table is making our mouth water! See the details here, photographed by Weddings by Scott and Dana.Including your signature wedding drinks on your dessert table? Genius! See the details here, photographed by Sarah Gormley Photography.We definitely fell in love with this fall themed dessert table, the caramel apples look oh so delicious. See the details here, created by Jenny Cookies.Getting married on the beach and still want cake? Here's your solution. See the details here, photographed by Style It Photography.Fruit is sweet and perfectly acceptable to have on a dessert table, plus it adds a welcome pop of color! See more of the details here, photographed by Amy Majors Photography.4th of July couldn't be sweeter; these red, white, and blue desserts will light up your night. See the details here, photographed by Jenna Bechtholt Photography.Sometimes just cupcakes is the way to go, mix it up with various flavors! See the details here, photographed by Michael and Anna Costa Photography.Those hot air balloon decorations are over the top cute without being distracting. See the details here, including an additional dessert table, photographed by Elisa Bricker and designed by Eye Candy C'ville.Decorated marshmallows on a stick are a unique and cute treat and faux moss makes a wonderful holder for treats that are on sticks. See the details here, photographed by Sunday Romance Photography.If cake isn't up your alley may we suggest a pie table instead perhaps? See more details here, photographed by Jen Rodriguez.A gorgeous mix of whimsy and romance and popcorn! See the details here, photographed by Mango Studios.For all you outdoors brides we included this super cute s'mores bar idea. Throw in a variety of chocolates and marshmallows and it couldn't be tastier. See the details here, photographed by Anika London.Pink, gold, tangerine and cream? So so cute and we love the milk bottle popsicles! See the details here, photographed by Lee Bird Photography.So much sass and fun with this vintage red and mint dessert table. See the details here, photographed by Ryan Price.If you have a gigantic cake there may not be room for much more then some cute macaroon accents. See the details here, photographed by Amanda Jameson Photography.This vintage dresser has so much personality on it's own, the cakes are quite literally the frosting on top! See the details here, photographed by Cat Mayer Studio.A vintage desk with a heart backdrop makes for quite the cute dessert display. See the details here, photographed by Tina Chiou Photography.Milk and cookies like never before, does it get cuter? See the details here, created by Dolce Designs.In place of a dessert table, or in addition to it, why not have a candy bar? See the details and the cake table here, photographed by Vine and Light.Planning to elope? Have an intimate dessert table just for two. See the details here, photographed by Noi Tran and Elle Golden.This apple inspired table is simple and yet oh so sweet, loving the pie pops! See how to make your own here, photographed by Danielle Evans Photography.Love sure is sweet, and so is that glittered ribbon banner! See the details here as well as how to make the decor, photographed and created by Cacao Sweets and Treats.Sugar and spice and everything nice; exactly what this dessert table provides. See the details here, photographed by Emilie Inc.Loving this lavender dessert cart! Make adjustments easy with a moveable dessert table. See the details here, photographed by Chelsey Boatwright Photography.Small floral accents in little white cream pitchers are absolutely adorable for cake table decor. See the details here, photographed by Lane Dittoe Photgraphy.Emerald is everything for this lovely dessert table, accented with fun chalkboard signs. See the details here, created by Sweet Table photographed by MKPhotographics.Looking for alternative dessert ideas? These cute little tarts are a definite must! See the details here, photographed by Leila Brewster Photography.Fall is the perfect time to include caramel apples, apple cider and pumpkin decor. We also spy a donut tower! See the details here, photographed by Amanda Dumouchelle.All this red, pink and white has us head over heels in love. See the details here, photographed by Caitlin Cathey Photography.Bundt cake galore! Complete with crates perfect for a rustic wedding. See the details here, photographed by Emily Steffen Photography.This teal and pink vintage dessert table is an absolute treat! See the details here, photographed by Desiree Shuey.Black's one of the less used colors for wedding but it can absolutely be classy as proved with this lovely cake table. See the details here, photographed by Jamie Lauren Photography.With a white and yellow color palette lemon flavored goodies are a cute go to treat. See it again here, created by Christina Logan Design.Ribbon backdrops are always cute, but doubly so with paper pinwheels thrown in the mix. See the details here, photographed by Shaun & Skyla Walton.Black, white, elegant, and absolutely timeless. A lack of colors can make quite the statement. See the details here, photographed by Bessie and Coco.All the signs on this gold glam dessert table are oh so cute and make the perfect decor. See the details here, photographed by Erin Rene Photography.This Native American inspired dessert table is one of a kind and oh so cute. See the details here, photographed by Infiniti Foto.A big chalkboard menu with some florals is the perfect backdrop for this sweet and simple take on a dessert table. See the details here, photographed by Cluney Photo.Once again we love the balloon backdrop idea, except this time less seems to be more. See it again here, photographed by Ananda Lima.Now this is a clever idea, who knew a vintage ladder could create such a cute dessert table? See the details here, photographed by Marie Bleyer Fotografie.Oh so many lovely cakes! And that tissue pom heart is to die for. See the details here, photographed by Orbie Pullen Photography.This display technique with stacked crates was so unique we just had to add it! See the details here, photographed by Phillip Van Nostrand.Apothecary jars are a popular choice for candy table displays, cute and very versatile. See the details here, photographed by Kayla Adams & Co.Paper pinwheels are back with tissue paper flower centers that are quite the cuties. See the details here, photographed by KTMoffitt Photography.If you have vintage furniture for your dessert display and it has drawers make use of them! See the details here, photographed by Eden Day Photography.This donut tower was just too cute to pass up! Don't be afraid to go out on a limb with your desserts. See the details here, photographed by Segerius Bruce Photography.We are in awe of how cute that carousel cake is! Such a fun festival dessert table idea. See the details here, photographed by David Manning Photographers.
