When it comes to weddings, many couples want to stand out and make their day truly unique. One of the best ways to do this is by rethinking the traditional wedding cake. Couples in Cedar Rapids choose fun wedding cake alternatives to reflect their personality, preferences, and creativity. From delightful cupcake towers to trendy donut walls, there’s an endless array of cake alternatives that will wow your guests.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best and most fun wedding cake alternatives in Cedar Rapids. Whether saving costs, meeting dietary needs, or adding creativity, these alternatives will leave a lasting impression.
Why Choose a Wedding Cake Alternative?
The traditional wedding cake, while classic, may not suit every couple. There are many reasons why couples today are turning to alternative desserts for their wedding, including:
- Personal Preference: Not everyone loves cake! Some couples may prefer other desserts such as pies, cookies, or ice cream.
- Dietary Needs: With more people following gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan diets, offering alternative desserts can accommodate a wider range of dietary needs.
- Cost: Wedding cakes can be expensive, and some alternatives can be more cost-effective while still providing a delicious experience.
- Creativity: Wedding cake alternatives allow couples to showcase their personality and have fun with dessert options that reflect their taste and style.
For this reason, Cedar Rapids offers a variety of options to satisfy your sweet tooth and provide an unforgettable dessert experience.
1. Cupcake Towers
Cupcake towers are one of the most popular wedding cake alternatives. They offer a fun and customizable option that your guests will love. Cupcakes are not only easy to serve, but they also allow you to offer a variety of flavors. This can be a hit with guests who have different tastes.
Why Choose Cupcakes?
- Variety of Flavors: Instead of choosing just one cake flavor, you can offer multiple cupcake flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, or lemon.
- Customization: Cupcakes can be decorated to match your wedding theme or colors, and you can choose unique wrappers and toppings for extra flair.
- Convenient Serving: No need for cake cutting—guests can grab a cupcake and enjoy it without waiting.
Where to Find Cupcakes in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, bakeries like Scratch Cupcakery and Sweetopia specialize in creating beautiful and delicious wedding cupcakes. They offer a wide range of flavors and customization options to match your wedding style.
2. Donut Walls
A donut wall is not only a fun dessert option, but it also serves as a visually stunning decoration for your wedding. Donuts can be hung on a custom-built wall display. Which allows guests to pick their favorite flavors.
Why Choose Donuts?
- Interactive and Fun: A donut wall is not just a dessert; it’s an interactive display that adds a playful element to your wedding.
- Variety of Flavors: From classic glazed to chocolate-covered or even gourmet flavors like maple bacon, donuts offer endless options.
- All-Day Appeal: Donuts are perfect for any time of day, whether you’re having a brunch wedding or an evening reception.
Where to Find Donuts in Cedar Rapids
Check out Hurts Donut or Deluxe Bakery in Cedar Rapids for freshly made donuts that can be customized to fit your wedding theme. They offer a range of flavors that can be tailored to your event.
3. Dessert Bars
For couples who can’t choose just one dessert, a dessert bar is the perfect solution. A dessert bar allows you to offer a variety of sweet treats for guests to enjoy, from brownies and cookies to pies and macarons.
Why Choose a Dessert Bar?
- Variety: With a dessert bar, you can offer a little bit of everything, ensuring that every guest finds something they love.
- Customization: You can choose desserts that reflect your personal taste or match the season, such as pumpkin pie in the fall or fruit tarts in the summer.
- Beautiful Display: A well-arranged dessert bar can be a visual centerpiece, with each dessert adding to the overall decor of your reception.
Where to Find Dessert Bar Options in Cedar Rapids
Bakeries like That One Cupcake Place and Sugarfire Bakery can help create a custom dessert bar for your wedding, offering a wide selection of sweets that can be tailored to your preferences.
4. Pie Buffets
For a rustic or down-to-earth wedding, a pie buffet can be a fun and charming alternative to the traditional wedding cake. Pies are a comforting, homestyle dessert that will appeal to guests looking for something familiar yet delicious.
Why Choose Pies?
- Seasonal Options: Pies can be made with seasonal ingredients, such as apple pie for fall weddings or berry pie for summer celebrations.
- Nostalgic and Homey: Pies evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia, perfect for rustic or barn-style weddings.
- Variety: Offer a selection of pies such as apple, cherry, pumpkin, pecan, or key lime to cater to different tastes.
Where to Find Pies in Cedar Rapids
For delicious, homemade pies, look no further than The Wright Touch Bake Shoppe or Betty Jane’s Bake Shoppe. These local bakeries offer a wide variety of pies made from scratch.
5. Ice Cream Sundae Bars
If you’re planning a summer wedding in Cedar Rapids, an ice cream sundae bar is a refreshing and interactive alternative to a traditional wedding cake. Guests can build their own sundaes with a variety of toppings, making it a fun experience for all.
Why Choose Ice Cream?
- Customizable: Guests can choose their favorite ice cream flavors and toppings, from sprinkles and hot fudge to fresh fruit and nuts.
- Perfect for Summer: Ice cream is a refreshing treat, ideal for outdoor weddings or summer celebrations.
- Interactive: An ice cream sundae bar adds a fun, interactive element to your reception, allowing guests to get creative with their dessert.
Where to Find Ice Cream in Cedar Rapids
For catering options, check out Nelson’s Ice Cream or Whitey’s Ice Cream. They offer a wide range of ice cream flavors and toppings that can be customized for your wedding.
6. Cheese Wheel Cakes
For couples who prefer savory over sweet, a cheese wheel cake is a sophisticated and unique alternative to a traditional wedding cake. A cheese wheel cake is made by stacking wheels of cheese, which can be sliced and served with crackers, bread, and fruit.
Why Choose a Cheese Wheel Cake?
- Savory Option: If you’re not a fan of sweet desserts, a cheese wheel cake offers a delicious and elegant alternative.
- Visually Stunning: Cheese wheel cakes are often decorated with fresh flowers, herbs, and fruits, making them a beautiful centerpiece.
- Pairs Well with Wine: A cheese wheel cake can be paired with a variety of wines, creating a gourmet experience for your guests.
Where to Find Cheese Wheel Cakes in Cedar Rapids
Look to specialty shops like New Pioneer Food Co-op or The Cheese Shop for high-quality cheeses that can be crafted into a stunning cheese wheel cake for your wedding.
7. Macaron Towers
If you’re looking for an elegant and chic dessert option, consider a macaron tower. Macarons are delicate, colorful French cookies that come in a wide variety of flavors, making them a sophisticated alternative to a wedding cake.
Why Choose Macarons?
- Elegant and Stylish: Macarons are a trendy and elegant dessert that adds a touch of sophistication to any wedding.
- Flavor Variety: From classic vanilla and chocolate to more unique flavors like lavender and pistachio, macarons offer endless possibilities.
- Visually Stunning: A macaron tower creates a striking display that can be customized to match your wedding colors.
Where to Find Macarons in Cedar Rapids
That One Cupcake Place and Irene’s Sweet Treats are known for their beautiful and delicious macarons. Both bakeries can create a custom macaron tower that complements your wedding theme.
Choosing a Fun Wedding Cake Alternative
Choosing fun wedding cake alternatives is a great way to make your wedding in Cedar Rapids truly unique and memorable. From cupcake towers and donut walls to pie buffets and cheese wheel cakes. There are endless options to suit your style, taste, and budget. These alternative desserts not only cater to a variety of dietary needs but also add a personal touch to your celebration, ensuring your guests enjoy a sweet (or savory) treat they’ll never forget.
Explore the many local bakeries and vendors in Cedar Rapids to find the perfect wedding cake alternative for your special day. You’re sure to create a dessert experience that leaves a lasting impression on all your guests.
Complete Weddings + Events – Cedar Rapids Wedding Coordinators
You can rest assured that your Cedar Rapids wedding will be executed flawlessly with Complete Weddings + Events wedding coordinators by your side. Our expertise and dedication ensure that they can work seamlessly with whichever companies you choose for your wedding.
Contact us today to learn more about our “book more, save more” service bundles for your big day. For more Cedar Rapids wedding inspiration and tips, visit our blog page.