Dessert Only Receptions
Dessert and coffee receptions that follow mid-afternoon weddings or later-evening weddings are an inexpensive and fun way to feed guests. Couples want to host a lot of guests on a budget can save money and satisfy guests by only serving dessert. It allows the couple to dedicate a larger sum of money toward a dream wedding cake and allocate other money on extra special desserts.
Pam Hogancamp of Ribbons of Chocolate encourages couples to consider dessert-only receptions.
“Dessert only receptions are so much fun because they make adults into children again,” Hogancamp says. “If you choose this style of reception, I would strongly suggest that the couple puts it on the invitation so that all of the guests will be informed of this fun and unusual reception.”
Chocolate Fountains
Hogancamp says she has been in the chocolate fountain business for over five years and her chocolate fountains come with standard dipping items, such as strawberries and marshmallows at wedding receptions. Hogancamp also offers her homemade goodies such as coconut macaroons, pecan tassies and key lime tartlets. Of course, classic candies such as M&Ms, gummy bears and Skittles are always on hand.
Ribbons of Chocolate offers four flavors of dark, milk, white and signature blend chocolate fountains, in addition to caramel and strawberry crème fountains.
“At this year’s Bridal Show at the Nashville Convention Center, I will be unveiling a new idea for the fountain,” Hogancamp says. “I will be bringing white chocolate that I have tinted in a pastel color to match as closely as possible to a bride’s color scheme (i.e. blue, orange, green, yellow, etc.). It is a huge hit among the brides that have used this new idea in the Nashville area.”
Cupcakes
Another option for desser-only receptions is serving cupcakes. Serving cupcakes in lieu of a traditional wedding cake is a new trend that is an economical and practical way to serve different flavors of cake. Cupcakes are easier for a baker or friend to prepare than a multi-layered wedding cake. They are also easier to serve to guests at the reception. The hosts can control portions and ensure that each guest gets the same serving size and amount of icing. Guests, also have the opportunity to select the exact flavor that they are craving with a wide variety of cupcake choices.
A tiered cupcake stand filled with iced cupcakes can create the same look that traditional layered wedding cakes have. Cupcakes can either be individually decorated with icing or left unfrosted and garnished with fresh fruit or flowers.
Guests will appreciate your thinking outside the box and presenting something special that you both love. This year, wedding cakes and desserts are dominating the reception and letting guests enjoy something different and unique.
