11 Wedding Desserts Other Than Cake and How Many to Order Per Guest

Let’s be honest, not every couple wants to cut a five-tier fondant cake in front of 150 people. My own wedding at our family lake house back in 2008 had a small cake just for pictures, but the real dessert table was where guests actually lingered. If you’re searching for wedding desserts other than cake, you’ve probably already scrolled through a dozen lists of donut walls and cupcake towers. What none of those posts tell you is how many of each dessert you actually need to order so you don’t run out, or way overspend. I’ve priced out and portioned real dessert tables for brides on every budget, so here are 11 wedding desserts other than cake, plus the exact quantities and rough costs to plan around.

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1. Donut Wall

Donut walls are one of the most Pinned wedding desserts other than cake, and for good reason, they photograph beautifully and guests can grab one on the way to the dance floor. Plan on 1.5 donuts per guest so nobody is left staring at an empty peg by 9pm. Most local bakeries charge $1 to $2 per donut, which puts a 100-guest wall around $200. Skip the fancy glazed ones for the whole board, plain and chocolate go fastest so order more of those. A wooden pegboard rental usually runs $75 to $150, and you can DIY one with dowels and a piece of stained plywood for under $40 if you’re handy.

2. Cupcake Tower

Cupcakes are the easiest wedding dessert other than cake because almost every bakery already makes them, no special order needed. Budget 1.5 cupcakes per guest, brides with a big sweet tooth crowd should round up to 2. A dozen standard cupcakes runs $24 to $36 depending on your bakery, so 100 guests lands between $200 and $300. Keep a small cutting cake on top of the tower if you still want that classic photo moment, most bakeries will make a 6 inch cake for around $60. I always tell brides to order two flavors minimum, guests get bored fast when every cupcake tastes the same.

3. Pie Bar

A pie bar is one of my favorite wedding desserts other than cake for a fall or barn wedding, it just feels right with mason jars and burlap runners. One 9 inch pie serves about 8 slices, so figure one pie per 8 to 10 guests if you’re also offering other desserts alongside it. Pies run $15 to $25 each from a local bakery, which keeps a 100-guest pie bar under $300. Mix fruit and cream pies so there’s something for everyone, and add a whipped cream station so guests can top their own slice. Mini hand pies are a cute, if slightly pricier, upgrade if your budget allows it.

4. S’mores Station

When we hosted our own wedding at the lake house, we set up a small s’mores station by the fire pit and it ended up being the most talked about part of the night. This is one of the cheapest wedding desserts other than cake you can offer, a full station for 100 guests costs around $150 for graham crackers, chocolate bars and marshmallows. Plan on 2 to 3 s’mores worth of supplies per guest since people always come back for seconds. You’ll need a fire pit or a few tabletop sternos if an open flame isn’t allowed at your venue. Personalized s’mores kits also work great as a favor guests can take home.

5. Cheesecake

Cheesecake is a smart wedding dessert other than cake if your guest list skews older or you want something less sweet than a traditional tiered cake. One 9 inch cheesecake serves 12 slices, so order one cheesecake per 12 guests. Costs run $25 to $45 depending on flavor and whether it’s from a grocery bakery or a specialty shop. Keep in mind cheesecake has to stay refrigerated right up until it’s served, so this only works if your venue has fridge space or you’re serving within an hour of pickup. Mini cheesecake bites are a good workaround, they hold up better outdoors and let guests sample more than one flavor.

6. Cookie Table

If you’ve never heard of a cookie table, it’s a Pittsburgh wedding tradition where family and friends each bring a few dozen homemade cookies instead of buying a fancy dessert. It’s one of the most budget-friendly wedding desserts other than cake because most of the cost gets spread across your bridal party and relatives instead of your own wallet. Plan on 6 to 8 cookies per guest since people tend to grab a small plate and sample several kinds. If you’re buying instead of asking for donations, bakery cookies run about $1.50 each, so 100 guests at 6 cookies apiece lands around $900, which is exactly why the potluck version caught on.

7. Ice Cream Sundae Bar

An ice cream sundae bar is a genuinely fun wedding dessert other than cake for a summer or backyard wedding. Plan on one scoop plus toppings per guest, and offer at least two flavors so guests with dietary restrictions have an option. A self-serve sundae bar for 100 guests, including ice cream, sauces and toppings, usually runs $300 to $500 depending on how fancy you get with the mix-ins. Keep the ice cream in a cooler with dry ice until 30 minutes before serving so it doesn’t melt into soup. I’d actually recommend hiring a small vendor with a cart for this one, keeping ice cream frozen outdoors is trickier than it looks.

8. Dessert Shooters

Dessert shooters are those little cups of mousse or layered cake you see passed at cocktail hour, and they’re one of the more elegant wedding desserts other than cake. Plan on 2 shooters per guest since they’re small enough that one alone won’t feel like a full dessert. A dozen shooters from a caterer usually costs $30 to $50, so 100 guests at 2 each runs somewhere between $500 and $850. They’re a great option if you want a passed dessert during cocktail hour instead of, or in addition to, a dessert table later in the night, since a server can carry a full tray through the crowd easily.

9. Waffle or Pancake Bar

A waffle bar is a fun choice if you’re hosting a brunch wedding or just want a dessert that doubles as a late-night snack. Plan on one waffle per guest plus a topping bar with whipped cream, berries, syrup and chocolate chips. A waffle station for 100 guests, including a rented waffle maker or two and ingredients, runs about $250 to $400 if you DIY it with a few helpers manning the irons. Hiring a small breakfast catering company instead will run closer to $8 to $12 per person. This dessert works especially well late in the night when guests want something warm before they head home.

10. Mixed Dessert Table

If you can’t pick just one dessert, a mixed dessert table lets you offer brownies, lemon bars, macarons and mini tarts side by side. Plan on 3 to 4 small bites per guest total across everything on the table. Costs vary a lot depending on what you choose, but budget around $4 to $6 per guest for a full mixed table, so $400 to $600 for 100 guests. This is one of the best wedding desserts other than cake for picky groups since everyone can build their own little plate. Just don’t offer more than 5 or 6 different treats, more than that and your dessert table starts looking cluttered instead of curated.

11. Croquembouche

A croquembouche is the traditional French wedding dessert, a tall cone of cream puffs held together with caramelized sugar, and it makes a serious statement if you want something other than cake that still looks like a centerpiece. Plan on 2 to 3 cream puffs per guest. This one isn’t cheap, expect to pay $8 to $12 per guest since it requires a skilled pastry chef and can’t really be DIYed for 100 people. It’s best for couples with a smaller guest list or a bigger dessert budget who want a real wow moment. Ask your baker how far in advance they can assemble it, caramel doesn’t hold up well in humidity or heat.

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No matter which wedding desserts other than cake you land on, the trick is ordering by the numbers above instead of guessing and hoping. Pick two or three from this list, do the quick math for your guest count, and you’ll walk away from your reception with a dessert table that actually worked instead of one that ran out by 8pm or left you with three leftover pies.