Many of our favorite celebrations tend to revolve around some kind of delicious meal.
And weddings are no exception.
If your big day is coming up, then there’s a pretty big chance you’ve been looking at countless different menus and interviewing dozens of caterers to find the perfect match.
While appetizers, drinks, and main courses are definitely important, we’re sure you want to finish off strong with dessert.
Because a good dessert is, well, the icing on the cake!
But maybe you don’t imagine dessert being so formal, or maybe you want to have several options for your guests to choose from.
Enter the wedding dessert table bar!
This will really set your dessert spreads apart and really free you up to get creative with your serving options.
But if you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help you.
Here are 12 delicious wedding dessert bar ideas that will satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
What is a wedding dessert bar?
Let’s start off with some brief definitions.
If you’ve never heard of one before, a wedding dessert bar is a spread of different desserts at a wedding reception.
Elaborate wedding cakes have long been a standard at wedding receptions.
And while you can still definitely have one, many couples are now choosing to add on more dessert options for their guests to enjoy.
Dessert bars are a good idea if to encourage a relaxed atmosphere at your reception where your guests are able to mingle and serve themselves.
Plus, the sky’s the limit on what you can serve!
Wedding Dessert Bar Ideas
OK, now let’s really get to the good stuff!
Here are just a few ideas to get your wheels turning.
We also want to add: these ideas aren’t mutually exclusive.
You are definitely encouraged to blend desserts and have several options at your reception.
Cake Pop Bar
Sure, cake is pretty standard stuff when it comes to wedding desserts.
But the first item on our list of wedding dessert bar ideas promises to switch things up.
Cake pops are a perfect bite-size serving of cake, and the best part is you don’t need to do any cutting.
They already come prepared, and as a bonus, they look super cute in photos.
Churro Bar
Of course, you don’t have to just have cake if you don’t want to.
Not everybody likes icing at the end of the day.
A fun dessert alternative? Churros!
They’re pretty easy to store in cones or small cups, and you can offer different toppings like cinnamon, chocolate, or caramel.
Pie Bar
Up next, we’ve got a real crowd-pleaser!
With a pie bar, you’re sure to have a lot of variety.
Pumpkin, key-lime, cherry…everyone has a favorite flavor, and the pie bar at your wedding will house them all!
Of course, you can have full pies where your guests can cut themselves a piece, but we think single-serve pies make for a fun twist.
Cookie Bar
If you give your guest a cookie, well, they’ll probably want another one!
Nothing smells better than some freshly baked cookies straight out of the oven, so this dessert bar will definitely get your guests excited.
From chocolate chip to snickerdoodle, you have tons of options to add a little variety.
S’mores Bar
We’d make a pun about how all your guests are going to want s’more of this dessert, but you’ve probably already heard every s’more pun in the book.
In any case, a s’mores bar is sure to be a big hit with your guests!
And while it’s pretty easy to set up a table with everything you might need to make your s’more, if your venue allows it, we highly recommend making the most out of an open fire.
It encourages socializing among your guests, and you’ll get everyone to feel like they’re at summer camp again!
Cream Puff Bar
Still can’t get enough of the wedding dessert bar ideas?
Lucky for you, the list keeps going!
If you’re feeling fancy, you can call it a croquembouche, but calling it a cream puff tower also works perfectly fine.
Beyond being absolutely delicious and appetizing, cream puff towers will make beautiful-looking centerpieces at your dessert table.
So much chocolatey goodness!
Macaron Bar
Now this will surely make for a chic dessert option!
A mountain of beautifully colored macarons is sure to make an eye-catching statement at your dessert bar.
And like many of the options on this list, macarons are perfect because they already come in a serving size for one and have relatively little mess.
(Though you can get as many as you like, we won’t stop you!)
Macrons will add a Parisian vibe to your wedding that never goes out of style.
Donut Bar
We think these next two wedding dessert bar ideas work especially well if you’re having a daytime wedding where you’ll be serving a brunch-style meal.
You can keep it simple with a fan-favorite glazed donut.
Or for an extra personal flare, you can get the frosting to match the color scheme of your reception.
Whether you buy en-masse from your favorite chain or make a stop to a local artisanal shop, having donuts at your wedding will surely make everyone smile.
Waffle Bar
Who doesn’t love a serving of some warm waffles?
Set up a waffle maker with tons of different toppings (maple syrup, nutella, blueberries, get creative!), and make it an interactive experience for your guests.
Don’t be afraid to add some pancakes into the mix for the ultimate wedding breakfast buffet.
Ice Cream and Popsicle Bar
We love ice cream all year round, but we know that an ice cream bar will be especially well received if you’re having a summer wedding.
A chilled dessert is both delicious and refreshing.
And like with the pie bar, you can incorporate lots of variety with ice cream and popsicles to incorporate a mix of everyone’s favorite flavors.
Candy Bar
As we near the end of the list, let’s go for a tried-and-true dessert option: some good ol’ candy!
Lay out a delicious assortment of your favorite treats in different bowls or cups and have your guess take their pick.
For those having fall weddings: it’ll be like Halloween night right there at your reception!
Fruit Bar
This list has been full of sweet or sugary wedding dessert bar ideas.
So let’s finish off the list with something a little different.
Some fresh fruits can make for an absolutely delicious dessert option
Just make sure you pay attention to your wedding season so you can make sure which fruits would be available to serve.
Our Final Thoughts
Whew! We’re definitely craving something sweet after all that talk of desserts.
We hope that our choices have inspired you to go for a wedding dessert table bar at your own reception,
(Because if you ask us, there’s nothing your guests won’t like about having a variety of delicious and easy-to-access dessert options!)
Here at Sugarhollow, we could talk all about our favorite desserts until the cows come home.
But we’re also excited and prepared to talk about anything wedding-related you want addressed.
So if the beautiful Tennessee mountains are calling to you, then we’re here to make that wedding as special as possible.
And of course, the dessert will be just as unforgettable.
