By Rachel Biggs
If a grand, multi-tiered wedding cake doesn’t tickle your fancy, or even any kind of resemblance to this old-time tradition, no worries, because there are plenty other colourful and equally eye-catching alternatives that could take centre stage at the wedding banquet. Accessorize and decorate your new totally customizable centrepieces with flowers, bunting banners, sprinkles and many more.
1. Doughnut tiers
Maybe cakes just aren’t your thing, but doughnuts might be. Don’t be intimidated by the simplicity of this delectable delicacy – you can always arrange them into tiers with dainty floral arrangements or make the doughnut frosting match your colour scheme.
2. Macaron tiers
This French sweet comes in an array of colours and flavours to your liking, and when arranged into tiers, you’ll have quite a grandiose wedding cake. This is certainly one trend that will not be going out of style any time soon.
3. Cupcakes
Cupcakes aren’t going out of style anytime soon, and that is awesome, because cupcakes make for one of the best wedding cake alternatives. From colours to flavours to decorations, you’ll be spoilt for choice when arranging these sweet beauties.
4. Croquembouche
These round fluffy globes look most elegant when arranged into a conical tower and draped with sticky sugar and fresh flowers. This wedding cake alternative remains a popular choice with those who want something a little different.
5. Pancakes
Alerting all breakfast food nuts! This breakfast or brunch staple, thick or thin, actually makes for a uniquely gorgeous wedding cake when arranged into tiers with fruit and flowers. You could add food colouring or cut the pancakes into shapes according to however you like.
6. Naked cake
Perfect for rustic-themed weddings, the naked cake is, well, a cake without fondant or frosting on the outside. It can come in any flavour you like, and looks amazing sprinkled with just lush fresh fruit and decorated with flowers and ivy. You’ll find its simplicity quite breath-taking.
7. Fruit
Here’s a healthy option if you want to avoid dairy or want something vegan-friendly for your wedding. Arranging fruit into a cake-like structure can have a very pretty effect, and these “cakes” are ideal for tropical or garden-themes.
8. Cake pops
These adorable lollipop lookalikes are actually cake inside a candy shell. With these babies, you could order up several flavours that’ll leave everyone satisfied. Decorate with sprinkles and ribbon.
9. Cookie tier
Okay let’s face it. A lot of things look fancy in tiers, and cookies are no exception. From Oreos to chocolate chip cookies, the choice is yours. Instead of cutting a cake, you could even dunk the cookies into glasses of milk. Talk about unconventional! (And oh so hipster.)
10. Pie
I think I know you’re thinking. “Savoury pies as a wedding cake? You’ve got to be kidding!”
I kid you not. This trend has actually taken place before in the USA, and quite the number of couples are switching out the traditional sweet confectionary for wedding pies. You could have a big pie or have little mini tarts to easily hand out to everyone.
