It’s rare to meet a couple that doesn’t want to serve dessert at their reception. But it’s not so rare to meet a couple that isn’t crazy about cake. We get it, wedding cake isn’t for everyone. Wedding catering businesses have become increasingly well-versed in the needs and desires of couples wanting unique, personalized menus. This may include an unconventional dessert option! But, where does one even begin in deciding what sweet treats to serve when cake doesn’t feel like the best option for you?

Right here! We’ve compiled a list of our favorite unconventional desserts for your wedding day. There is something for everyone here- we’ve considered dietary preferences, cultural backgrounds, aesthetic presentation and portability.

Cotton Candy

Does it get more nostalgic and fun than cotton candy? This feather-light, sweet and sticky confection is playful and interactive. Watching cotton candy be made has to be up there as one of the most relaxing and engaging wedding activities there is! Spun sugar is a top contender for us. Check out Happy Joy Candy Floss AND Tall Guys, one of our preferred caterers, is your go-to for this!

Another fun option to consider if this is your dessert of choice? Customize the color to match your wedding colors and consider adding your monogram to the cotton candy stick!

Ice Cream Bars & Ice Cream Carts

Pick a few flavors, load up on toppings, throw in waffles and cake cones. Voila, you’ve made an ice cream bar!

Be sure to talk to our preferred caterer, Saz’s about all the fun options! We also love Barons Gelato and Purple Door Ice Cream.

Ice Cream Sandwiches

Gone are the days when an ice cream sandwich is only a soft chocolate cookie-like layer filled with vanilla. Now there are SO many options, including multiple Chipwich flavors. Did you know there are even companies that put ice cream on a macaroon!?

Rootbeer Floats

This is a super fun add-on for your ice-cream bar. Consider customizing disposable cups as a fun personalization.

Popsicles

Perfect for a summer wedding! Also delicious when served IN a glass of champagne! So many flavors to choose from. To keep it simple, opt for a his and hers option (or his and his, hers and hers, theirs and theirs) ;) Pete’s Pops is our go-to recommendation!

Bite-size Servings

Mousse, banana pudding, custards, cheesecake, parfaits and fruit! Anything eaten with a spoon is ideal for a bite size serving and allows your guests to choose a variety of sweet treats! You’ll likely want to assume that guests will have at least two! But your catering team can help you determine the best quantity based on the rest of your menu and dessert selections. Most catering companies will supply the appropriate disposable serving size vessel, but this is another area that you can elevate with a custom design or monogram.

We highly recommend:

Le Rêve Patisserie & Café| Greige Patisserie | Whisk Chick | Sweetly Baked

Pie

Hand pies, pie slices, single-serve mini pies. However you serve it, it’s hard to beat a dessert staple like a pie that’s usually reserved for the holidays.

Breakfast

Pancakes and waffles, especially when paired with fruit and whipped cream, are a great option for the breakfast and brunch loving couple. You could also opt for a variety of muffins- banana, blueberry, coffeecake, chocolate chip. Gosh, we’re hungry just thinking about it!

Cheese but not Cheesecake

A savory option that’s gaining traction is a stack of luxurious wheels of cheese!

Nostalgic Nod

Moon pies, Sno Balls, Donettes, Mini Muffins, ZingerDingers, HoHos, Honey Buns, Swiss Rolls, Oatmeal Creme Pies, Nutty Buddy, Cosmic Brownies, Fudge Rounds, and Twinkies.

Culturally influenced dessert options:

Croquembouche

This French dessert sure makes a statement! The sky high stacked puff pastry with spun sugar flourish is beautiful. And there is no cutting required.

Kransekake

A Scandinavian delight, this is a carefully crafted stack of almond cookies and royal icing. Another eye-catching option that is on the lighter, less sweet side of wedding cakes.

Churros

This cinnamon sugar fried dough pastry hails from Spanish and Portuguese cuisine. Best served warm and with caramel or chocolate dip!

Millefoglie

An Italian delight of puff pastry cakes with pastry cream. Commonly topped with a variety of fruits and sprinkled with powdered sugar. It’s known for being subtly sweet, very flaky and incredibly refined!

Boba

Sure, boba is a drink. BUT, it’s also a treat! We have Taiwan to thank for this chewy tapioca treat. Boba can be incorporated into flan, Panna Cotta, Pudding and Bars.

Mochi

Originating from Japanese cuisine, Mochi is a sweet rice paste wrapped around ice cream, fruit or compote. This is a great nod to a wedding cake because the outer layer is so similar to fondant!

Candy, donuts, cookies and macaroons have become a bit more of the “norm” to pair with wedding cake, or stand alone, so we didn’t include them in this list. BUT, they’re all great options too! Bundt cakes are a popular choice here in the midwest too!

Some quick handheld options? Smores and rice krispies treats!

Whew, after writing this post, we’re really hoping to see some of these fun unconventional desserts at our upcoming weddings!

Some of our favorite ways to display these items are in our rental inventory (and our catering teams have some fantastic options too!).

Signature Display Cart

Also great for coffee or tea station and signature drink!

Bistro Bar

This beauty was made to serve Popsicles and champagne!

Black Metal Decorative Table

Incredibly versatile - great for displaying a variety of small or handheld dessert items. Wonderful as the main display or one of many!

Tiered Display Table

Another wonderful option when you have multiple choices in a variety of sizes. This really helps to create depth and dimension in your dessert design.