Dessert tables have become very popular in recent years, allowing wedding guests a choice in their dessert on your big day.
A dessert table is any offering other than the wedding and groom’s cake, and can range from a variety of cupcakes to a smorgasbord of treats. Popular goodies include, cookies, tarts, brownies, macarons, and cereal treats.
Well, the desserts are small, so a dessert table will cost less than a wedding cake, right? Not necessarily.
When at a buffet, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) sets in and you want to try it all. The same thing happens with a dessert table. A greater variety of desserts can lead to guests only taking a bite or two of more items than they would typically select.
Can't you hear it? "Of course I'm going to get a mini cupcake, but I can't pass up on a chocolate chip cookie. Is that a chocolate covered Oreo? Oh, lemon tarts!"
So how many desserts do you really need? If you are offering a full size dessert like a cupcake or a full size brownie, count on 1-2 per guest. With smaller desserts like cookies, macarons, bite size brownies, or mini tarts you can count on each guest taking 3 items from the various options.
Right now, people are ready to get out and party after missing all the events that were cancelled during the Covid pandemic. The event planners I work with tell me that about 80% of the guest list are coming to the wedding. Not everyone will have dessert though, and your wedding cake servings factor into the mix as well. If you invite 100 people to the wedding, you won’t need 100 servings of cake and 300 mini desserts – unless you like leftovers.
Ready for some math?
So for your 100 invited guests, let’s say 80 come to the wedding. Only 80-90% of those guests will have dessert, regardless of what you offer. It will be closer to the 90% with a dessert table (again, FOMO), so you need desserts for about 72 people. The smallest three tier cake I make is 56 servings, and if we remove the cake servings, we only need mini desserts for 16 people. At three desserts each, that’s only four dozen mini desserts.
If you want the look of that three tier cake, but want more dessert options for your guests, you can always incorporate a false tier into the wedding cake. The same size cake in the above calculation will look exactly the same but would only serve 24 if you replace the bottom tier with a fake one. Then you would need twelve dozen mini desserts to reach enough servings for those 72 people, which gives your dessert table a much fuller look.
The false tier is decorated in buttercream or fondant like the rest of the cake, so your guests won’t even be able to tell the difference. The only design a false tier will not work with is a naked or semi-iced cake. Can you pick out the false tier in this cake?
There are lots of options when it comes to dessert tables, and I’m always happy to walk through the details with my clients. If you would like to talk about a dessert table or wedding cake just fill out the contact form and we can get started.
FAQs
We recommend 2-4 items per guest, but don't worry, we'll help make sure you have enough servings to go around! To create your own estimate, please look through all the options below. Then, choose up to the maximum quantity of items/flavors based on your guest count.
How to calculate a dessert table? ›
So how many desserts do you really need? If you are offering a full size dessert like a cupcake or a full size brownie, count on 1-2 per guest. With smaller desserts like cookies, macarons, bite size brownies, or mini tarts you can count on each guest taking 3 items from the various options.
How do you layout a dessert table? ›
Display the desserts on varying levels using cake stands, tiered platters, wood or slate. As well as your desserts you may also want other decoration such as flowers, ribbon or themed decorations so your dessert table matches the rest of your event.
Is a dessert table cheaper than a cake? ›
Here are a few things to consider when deciding if a dessert table is right for your wedding. They are more expensive! The most common misconception is that you save money because you have a smaller cake and then include less expensive desserts. While that's great in theory, it's not reality.
What is the etiquette for dessert tables? ›
Once dessert is served and you see the hostess has picked up her fork and spoon, then you follow suit by placing the fork in your left hand, tines side down, and placing the spoon in your right hand. The fork is used as a kind of "pusher" to place the dessert into the spoon, and then you eat from the spoon.
What makes a good dessert table? ›
Below are a few tips to help get you started.
- Coordinate your colors. Your dessert table should blend in with the rest of your décor. ...
- Space matters. ...
- Use a backdrop. ...
- Use jars to display your treats. ...
- Create a mix of sweets and mini desserts. ...
- Add a finishing touch.
Use cake stands, dessert risers, or even overturned boxes covered with coordinating fabric to elevate some of the treats. This adds depth to the table and prevents it from looking flat.
What desserts to have on a dessert table? ›
There are cupcakes, pies, and cookies, plus more unexpected sweets like donuts or ice cream sandwiches. The sky is the limit, and because you never know which dessert is going to really hit the sweet spot, why not include them all?
How many cookies for 40 people? ›
How to Estimate the Number of Cookies Per Person? The general rule of thumb suggests calculating 2-3 cookies per person if other desserts are available. If cookies are the primary sweet treat, consider increasing the count to 4-6 per person.
How many cupcakes for 50 people? ›
The general rule of thumb for most gatherings is to have approximately 1.5 standard size cupcakes per guest. It will vary depending on whether there will be other desserts of more than one flavor of cupcake.
So, if your guest count is 50 people, plan to order 150 mini desserts. I would also recommend splitting the 150 into at least 5 different options. 30 Cookies (possibly divided between a few different kinds- sugar cookies, chocolate covered Oreos, etc.) See below for more dessert options and ideas!
What size table for dessert table? ›
A six foot banquet table is not only used for guest tables but also your welcome table, gifts and cards table, dessert table, escort card table, and DJ table. Eight foot banquet tables are mainly used as guest tables.
How to display cookies on a dessert table? ›
Use one extra-large tiered tray in the center of the table. Or, scatter a few shorter ones throughout the display. Just make sure they are stationed toward the back of the table so they don't block the view of the other cookies.
How much dessert do I need for 50 guests? ›
So, if your guest count is 50 people, plan to order 150 mini desserts. I would also recommend splitting the 150 into at least 5 different options. 30 Cookies (possibly divided between a few different kinds- sugar cookies, chocolate covered Oreos, etc.) See below for more dessert options and ideas!
How much dessert do I need for 30 guests? ›
It's a safe bet to count one serving per person. You're planning an event for 30 people? Order three dozen. That extra six is a good buffer.
How many sweets for 100 guests? ›
Here's a table to help you work it out
| Number of Guests | 200g Sweets Each | 300g Sweets Each |
|---|
| 30 | 6kg | 9kg |
| 50 | 10kg | 15kg |
| 100 | 20kg | 30kg |
| 200 | 40kg | 60kg |
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