How to Create a Dessert Bar Your Guests Will Love

If you're anything like me, when it comes to weddings, you're all about the social hour appetizers, the gourmet dinner and a delightful piece of cake that is almost always meager in proportions. (Seriously, who decides to cut the cake pieces that small?) Actually, if you're anything like me, the food selection is in a constant battle with the open bar, and which takes precedence in my priorities is yet to be determined.

But there's a new bar coming to town and it's taking the wedding industry by storm. It rivals the popularity of the open bar (okay, maybe not), but it definitely uproots the traditional wedding cake. Wedding dessert bars are all the rage these days, and its not hard to figure out why: It's a table. Filled with dessert. So much dessert. It gives your guests so many options to explore for their after-dinner delight. As a former food editor, I struggle to believe that there are people who don't like cake, but I've heard they're out there. A wedding dessert bar is perfect for these guests. And if you have guests who don't like dessert in any form, well, I'm silently judging your guest list.

What do you need to create a wedding dessert bar?

A theme usually helps determine what type of desserts to include. You can categorize your theme by color, dessert type, décor, season, etc. From rustic to your favorite childhood treats, find a theme that compliments your style.

The dessert selection can come from a professional baker or even your grandmother who makes delicious homemade pies! Whatever you decide, check with your venue to find out what the guidelines are on bringing in outside food.

Decor really dresses up the table. Go for an understated look if the desserts are pretty and pleasing. If the desserts are basic like homemade cookies, feel free to add as many finishing touches as you'd like!

Signs add both flair and functionality to your dessert buffet. “Love is sweet, have a treat” or “How sweet it is to be loved by you” are popular signs to introduce buffets, but you can even add cute names to all of your desserts. For function, list the actual dessert names on small signs. Make sure to identify if a dessert has peanuts or is gluten free! We have seen some couples who chose to include a favorite dessert from each member of their wedding party, accompanied by a sign with their name on it!

Some of our favorite dessert bar ideas

Cookies and milk bar: this is nostalgia at its finest. If you want your guests to feel instant happiness, give them a cookie. Proceed with caution: we don't see many people who can stop at just one.

Doughnut bar: this is one of the newer ideas out there. We seem to have a sudden rekindled obsession with doughnuts. The color and flavor options are endless. Let's not even get into the topic of sprinkles.

S'mores bar: what a great idea for both a summer or winter wedding. Everyone needs 's'more love'. See what I did there? Provide all the ingredients and then open flame sternos to melt them all together.

Frozen yogurt bar: this is a higher end idea. It does require you to rent a frozen yogurt or ice cream machine and once you start picking out toppings to include, I have no advice on how to limit you.

Popcorn bar: this is for the bride-on-a-budget or even for those looking to include a late-night snack. Again, there are so many toppings, flavors and mix-ins to include here. Added bonus: popcorn is cheap!

Mini desserts bar: If you haven't eaten cheesecake out of a shot glass, you're not living life. Dessert shooters and bite-sized tarts should be a way of life. There's a reason why people say “good things come in small packages” and in this case, it's because you can rationalize your reasoning for having more than one.

Desserts serve as the grand finale to your wedding dinner. A dessert bar can double as an eye-catching visual that your guests won't be able to resist.