One of the most exciting parts of wedding planning is choosing your cake. You may already have a clear vision in your head of what you want your cake to look like, or you may be totally in the dark. You might like the thought of a towering multi-tiered cake with intricate patterns and a show-stopping cake topper, or you might fancy something a little bit different – or even a lot bit different.
It’s becoming increasingly common for couples to ditch wedding cake traditions and offer their guests something different. This could be for a variety of reasons, from wanting to be unique to being conscious of guests with a gluten intolerance. Whatever the reason, you can have a lot of fun coming up with a wedding cake alternative that helps you stand out and have a celebration to remember.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about wedding cake alternatives and offer you 60 quirky and modern ideas.
Why should you consider a wedding cake alternative?
You might be a stickler for wedding traditions and want to do everything by the book, from the ceremony to the cake. Or, you might want to do something totally different from every other wedding you’ve been to. There are plenty of reasons why you might want a wedding cake alternative. Here are just a few:
- Personal choice: Traditions aren’t for everyone. Yo simply want an alternative to a wedding cake so you can stamp your personality on your big day.
- Cultural or religious beliefs: A wedding cake may not align with your cultural or religious customs, or may not full capture them. Choosing an alternative lets you respect those traditions while still having a celebratory treat for your big day.
- Tie it into the wedding theme: If you have a wedding theme, a traditional cake might not fit the vibe. Wedding cake alternatives can be easier to tie into the theme of your big day, especially if it’s something original and unique.
- Dietary requirements: If you or some of your guests can’t eat gluten, dairy, eggs or other common cake ingredients, an alternative can be a brilliant way to make sure you still have something big and grandiose.
- Budget: Wedding cakes can often be expensive. An alternative is a great way to cut costs and still have a delicious and memorable centrepiece.
- Variety: Wedding cakes usually have one or two flavours, but a wedding cake alternative gives your almost unlimited options, including sweet and savoury.
Are alternatives cheaper than wedding cakes?
Depending on what you choose, wedding cake alternatives can be a cheaper option. Here are some of the ways an alternative can be more cost-effective than a traditional wedding cake (created by a professional):
- Lower ingredient costs or fewer number of ingredients.
- Less highly-skilled/intricate decorating.
- Less need for customisations.
- Simple serving and portioning.
- Less waste.
- Greater selection of vendors.
- More DIY options/flexibility.
What are the benefits of choosing an alternative?
Choosing a multi-tiered cake over a more traditional design has plenty of benefits. Here are some of the advantages of thinking a little outside the box:
- Provides those with dietary requirements with more options.
- Creates a memorable and unique centrepiece.
- Gives you the opportunity to provide more flavours and textures.
- Can be a more budget-friendly option.
- Makes portioning and serving simpler on the big day.
- Can make for an interactive and fun show-stopper.
- Gives you a chance to be creative with the presentation.
Of course, there’s nothing stopping you having a gorgeous show-stopping wedding cake plus one or two interesting wedding cake alternatives.
Can a wedding cake alternative still feel traditional and elegant?
Of course! A wedding cake alternative can definitely be an elegant and beautiful talking point that wows your guests in the same way as a traditional cake. It all depends on what sort of alternative you choose, because while some can be just as elegant as a cake, others can be big and bold.
Here are 5 ways to choose an alternative wedding cake option while still making sure it retains that feeling of tradition and elegance:
- Choose more elegant alternatives, like mini cakes, macaroons, pastries or fruit.
- Pay close attention to presentation, because even more rustic alternatives can look elegant if presented in a beautiful way.
- Have a cohesive theme and include floral touches, whether edible or not.
- Keep some traditional elements, like a cake topper and the cake-cutting ritual.
- Incorporate typical wedding cake flavours, such as vanilla, chocolate and lemon.
If you’re not quite sure how to balance choosing an alternative with keeping some of that elegance, speak to a wedding cake maker or wedding caterer and talk to them about your ideas and how they can help you bring them to life.
Can you incorporate cultural and religious beliefs into a wedding cake alternative?
If you’re keen on a traditional or religious wedding, you may be leaning towards a more traditional cake. But, it’s equally possible to choose a cake alternative that incorporates cultural or religious elements, while also adding an even greater level of personalisation and celebration in some cases.
For a cultural wedding, instead of a cake, you could offer a selection of mini-desserts that represent your heritage. This might include kulfi and ladoos for an Indian wedding, baklava and kourabiedes for a Greek wedding and ma’amoul and knafeh for a Middle Eastern wedding. You may also want to include symbolic ingredients in your wedding cake alternative, like dates, which are a sign of fertility in some Middle Eastern countries, for some wedding-centric significance.
Similarly, with a religious ceremony, you can incorporate religious symbols and dishes into your wedding cake alternative. This might include displaying cupcakes in the shape of a cross at a Christian wedding, serving challah bread at a Jewish wedding or offering lotus-shaped cookies at a Hindu wedding. So long as what you create honours and respects your beliefs, you are free to incorporate it however you and your partner like.
Another way to honour culture and religion is by using traditional colours. This could be red and gold for a Chinese wedding, rich purples and greens for an Indian wedding or white for a Christian wedding.
60 ideas for wedding cake alternatives
When it comes to wedding cake alternatives, the only limitation is your imagination. Whether you’re looking for something big or small, elegant or rustic, or sweet or savoury, the possibilities are practically endless. If you love the thought of a wedding cake alternative but you’re not quite sure where to start, here are some ideas to help you get started.
10 elegant and traditional sweet wedding cake alternatives
- Cupcake tower: Customisable flavours with tiered presentation.
- Macaron tower: Colourful, chic and great for sophisticated weddings.
- Mini cheesecakes: Individual-sized desserts with a variety of toppings.
- Croquembouche: A French cream puff tower with caramelised sugar.
- Tarts: Individual fruit or custard tarts for a fresh and elegant touch.
- Cake pops: Bite-sized treats on a stick for easy serving.
- Eclairs: Decorated with icing and filled with cream, perfect for a modern vibe.
- Truffle tower: Decadent and bite-sized for guests to enjoy.
- Panna cotta display: mini custard desserts served in ramekins or jars.
- Petit fours: Mini layered cakes with intricate decorations.
10 fun and unique wedding cake alternatives
- Doughnut wall: Trendy, interactive and visually appealing.
- Cookie stack: Layered cookies to mimic a cake shape.
- Waffle cake: Stack waffles with syrup and toppings for a brunch vibe.
- Pancake stack: Drizzle with syrup, fruit or whipped cream.
- Ice cream sandwiches: Fun, customisable and perfect for summer weddings.
- Mini bundt cakes: Individual servings with a unique shape.
- Meringue kisses: Light, airy and visually stunning.
- Cinnamon roll tower: Warm and gooey, ideal for cosy weddings.
- Brownie bar: A selection of brownies with different sumptuous toppings.
- Pop Tart cake: Home-made Pop Tarts iced and filled with different flavours.
10 cultural wedding cake alternatives
- Mochi desserts: A chewy, colourful option for a Japanese twist.
- Churro sticks: Served with dips like chocolate, caramel or dulce de leche.
- Baklava tray: Layers of flaky pastry with honey and nuts.
- Cannoli tower: Cream-filled Italian pastries in a stunning arrangement.
- Pavlova: A meringue-based dessert topped with fresh fruit and cream.
- Tres leches cups: A Latin American favourite served individually.
- Turkish Delight: Sweet and exotic, served in small portions.
- Pastel de Nata: Portuguese custard tarts that are a creamy delight.
- Flan cups: Creamy custard pots from Latin America.
- Kulfi bars: Sweet and sticky ice cream made with condensed milk and Indian flavours.
10 healthy and fresh wedding cake alternatives
- Fruit tower: A vibrant and refreshing display of seasonal fruits.
- Yogurt parfaits: Layers of yoghurt, granola and fruit in elegant glasses.
- Smoothie bowls: Colourful and topped with fresh ingredients.
- Gelato or sorbet bar: Cool, refreshing and perfect for summer weddings.
- Acai bowls: Healthy and visually stunning with toppings like berries and seeds.
- Chocolate-dipped fruit: Strawberries, bananas or pineapple slices.
- Fresh fruit tartlets: Sharp, sweet and bursting with fruitiness.
- A watermelon ‘cake’: Watermelon carved into the shape of a cake and served with fruit.
- Coconut balls: Coconut, cocoa, fruit and nuts shaped into high-protein balls.
- Frozen banana pops: Bananas served on sticks and dipped in toppings and treats.
10 savoury wedding cake alternatives
- Cheese wheel cake: A tower of assorted cheese wheels decorated with fruits and nuts.
- Savoury pies: Think pot pies or quiches for a rustic touch.
- Pizza tower: Layers of pizza slices for a quirky and fun option.
- Bread and butter display: Assorted artisan bread with flavoured spreads.
- Charcuterie tower: Meats, cheeses, chutneys and accompaniments arranged artfully.
- Savoury crepe cake: Savoury pancakes topped with cream cheese, salmon and spinach.
- Pretzel tower: Fresh pretzels served with dips like hot cheese and mustard.
- Savoury tartlets: Little morsels of delicate savoury flavour.
- Sushi cake: Fresh sushi like maki and nigiri arranged on multiple tiers.
- Savoury cupcakes: Cupcakes flavoured with sharp cheddar, cornbread and more.
10 interactive wedding cake alternatives
- S’mores station: Guests roast marshmallows and build their own desserts.
- Crepe bar: Customisable with sweet and savoury fillings.
- Ice cream sundae bar: Guests can create their own sundaes with toppings.
- Popcorn station: Flavoured popcorn in a variety of sweet and savoury options.
- Candyfloss stand: Whimsical and nostalgic for a carnival feel.
- Lucky dip: Guests can pick a dessert from behind a wall as a surprise!
- Cupcake decorating: Guests are invited to decorate (and eat!) their own cupcakes.
- Sweet buffet: A pick ‘n’ mix selection of retro and sweet favourites.
- Cookie bar: Guests can pick their own mini cookies and their choice of toppings.
- Mini pies: A mix of sweet and savoury pies with gravy and cream for topping.
Plan your perfect wedding with Bridebook
Are you planning your own wedding? Here at Bridebook, we have loads of tools, tips, ideas and inspiration to help you plan your big day.
Are you excited to pick your cake or discuss your thoughts for an ambitious wedding cake alternative? We work closely with a huge number of wedding cake makers and wedding caterers who are waiting to make your dream cake a reality. And when you book through Bridebook, you get access to offers and discounts that you won’t find anywhere else, so make sure you check them out.
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