I've already given you reasons to skip the wedding cake. Now allow me to offer some alternatives.
1. Cupcakes
For those who love cake, but want to avoid the cutting and all the weird costs and stress that come with it. Cupcakes can be quite versatile, you aren't constrained to sweet, you can even do savory (bacon icing anyone?) You also can offer a wider variety of flavors rather than have one flavor per tier.
Be warned, if you think cupcakes will be cheaper, you might be wrong. If you go for filled or fancy flavors, you could be paying more per cupcake than you would per slice of wedding cake. For a more detailed breakdown, check out this article by Weddings & Brides.
2. Donuts
Although the popularity is dying down, donuts make a fun alternative to cake at a wedding. You can set up a cute wall with pegs to hang them on or place them in a cute tier mimicking the shape of a cake. Flavor options can also be wildly varied, with different fillings, glazes, and icings. It could also be fun to have a donut flavor representing each partner getting married (mine would be a basic cake donut with purple-chocolate frosting.)
Depending on where you get them, donuts can cost a quarter of what a slice of cake would be. Suddenly that $300 wedding cake for 80 guests has become $75 worth of donuts!
Photo Credit: Jessica Newton Photography
3. Cookies
Cookies have a special place in my heart. My first couple had a cookies and milk unity ceremony, where the mothers poured the milk from two carafes into a single glass and the couple split a cookie. Cute, and very them.
Cookies don't necessarily have to be ordered. They're one of those desserts that are better homemade (in my opinion). This could be something friends or family help with as a wedding gift. If you go this route, cookies have a lot of cost-saving potential!
4. Brownies
For those who love chocolate, why not brownies? While flavors aren't as varied, brownies can have different consistencies (try fudgy) and interesting toppings. This is another great homemade option if you or someone you know is up for it.
Brownies also make a great vegan option that most non-vegetarians would still love. There's even a vegan bakery here in Muncie, Sea Salt & Cinnamon, that you could order from!
5. Macarons
Another fad wedding dessert is macarons. Petite and usually beautifully colored, these can be served in the shape of a wedding cake without all the fuss of cutting. These can also come in interesting flavors, or re-imagined classics (red velvet anyone?).
There are a couple of downsides to having macarons replace your wedding cake. Sourcing them can be somewhat difficult in our area (East Central Indiana). Also, due to size, you should probably plan on two per guest. With all of this in mind, macarons have the potential to cost more per guest than a traditional wedding cake.
6. Cheesecake
This one is a gratuitous addition. I love cheesecakes, and I want to see a wedding serve one. That being said, I will still go over the pros and cons.
Cheesecakes can have different kinds of crusts and flavors. Toppings could be as simple as a syrup drizzle, or decoratively cut fruit. You could even be a purist and go for a pure filling and graham cracker crust without disappointing guests.
Logistically, cheesecakes could be a nightmare, especially for an outdoor wedding. They need to be kept cool before serving, so refrigeration of some kind is needed. They also require cutting, which could be done ahead of time, but will create all the issues of a traditional wedding cake. They also are not a typical catering option, and can sometimes be difficult to make at home without cracking or looking uneven.
7. Pancakes
Hear me out, a brunch wedding would be AMAZING! Not sold? Ok, what about breakfast for dinner? Do I have your attention now?
Pancakes aren't just butter and syrup. You could make lemon ricotta, or chocolate, or stir in some strawberries. Seeing some more possibilities now? If you're craving a cake-cutting photo, why not cut into a short stake with your dearly beloved? Pancakes are an incredibly fun option for a wedding dessert.
Now for the reality check. Pancakes are a double-edged sword. Are they cheap to make? Oh yeah. Do they serve well after sitting out? Nope, not at all. Do you see where I'm going? Pancakes require a dedicated crafter, ensuring your guests get fresh stacks. This could require a bit more from a catering perspective, or a friend or family member not getting to fully enjoy the reception. You could institute shifts, so one person isn't stuck the entire time, but either way, trying to cut catering costs will end up costing someone time and enjoyment.
8. Gingerbread House
Ok, I know this is out of left field, but I saw this one online and think it has the potential for a memorable reception moment. Picture this, a gingerbread replica of your venue. How cute would that be? This would also be great at a winter or Christmas wedding.
This one is another logistical nightmare. I am unsure of any caterers that would be up for this, so construction would probably fall to friends and/or family. That being said, this could actually be a fun pre-wedding activity with your wedding party, baking, and working together to decorate. The cost would depend entirely on the size and what you choose to decorate with. It has the potential to be cheaper than a wedding cake but requires a lot more time investment.
9. Dessert Table
Have a massive sweet tooth or struggle with decision-making? Just get a dessert table! Most bakeries and caterers have this as an option now, or you could do a dessert potluck with your guests.
The cost of this is incredibly variable. You could do the dessert potluck (i.e. zero cost) or hire a caterer. In the case of catering, quality will be consistent, and there might be more unique/dietary options available. With a homemade option, you run the risk of not having enough or too much of the same thing (why did everyone bring snickerdoodles?).
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