Dessert Table Inspiration

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been in love with dessert tables ever since I discovered the genius that is Amy Atlas. It takes such a simple concept – a spread of sweets, usually including a cake (but I’ve seen them done with all veggies, or cheeses, or whatever you like really!) and elevated it to a level where dessert meets design. I’d hate to be the first person at these buffets, because it must feel a little like taking a bite of a museum masterpiece, they’re just that pretty. And the best thing is, you can be really creative with them, and incorporate one into just about any style of wedding and make your dessert table a real feature of your reception that your guests will be talking about for years to come! To show you how, I’ve paired up some gorgeous dessert tables with matching Cap Classique inspiration boards. So fun!

VINTAGE BIRDS

This is one of my all-time favourite dessert tables, combining gorgeous green, brown and blue with vintage elements and a bird motif. It’s so usable, and all the different containers at different heights make it so easy on the eye. Perfect for an elegantly rustic wedding, or for a lovebirds theme. It’s paired here with (and partly inspired) the Vintage Birds inspiration board.


Dessert table: Merci New York via Green Wedding Shoes
Inspiration board: Top row (l-r): Birdcage with favours by Merci New York via Green Wedding Shoes; photo of shoes by Lynne Brubaker Photography; photo of nest by  Kristi Wright Photography via Style Me Pretty; photo of dress by Heidi Ryder via Love & Lavender
Row 2: Bridesmaid dresses from Martha Stewart Weddings; chocolate favours by Merci New York via Green Wedding Shoes; photo of typewriter guestbook by  Dana Grant via Green Wedding Shoes
Row 3: Photo of boutonniere by Simple Photo in Ontario via Style Me Pretty; wine lables via The Bride’s Guide; photo of bird escort cards by Henry Shoots via Style Me Pretty; photo of blankets by MIND|Castle Studios via Style Me Pretty; photo of cake by Amy & Stuart via Snippet & Ink.

BEACH PASTELS

I love our Beachy Keen board – it’s just the kind of wedding I’d love to go to. Sweet summer pastels and a relaxed beach vibe – perfect! The Amy Atlas sweets table would be a perfect feature at this wedding (maybe with the addition of some ice cream) – love how the candy stripe background and the bunting creates a sweet shop feel.


Dessert table: Amy Atlas
Inspiration board: Top row: Image by Karen Wise; photo of bride by Nikki Meyer; bouquet by JL Designs photographed by Stephanie Williams; ice cream via Wedding Paper Divas; slip slops via Wedding Moo
Row 2:  Photo of drinks via Wedding Paper Divas; bridesmaid dress J. Crew; rock candy by Gemma Comas; photo of hands with sand from pixdaus; sky lanterns by Dublin Bazar.

DUCK EGG BLUE AND GOLD

Another Amy Atlas original, this luxe dessert table always catches my breath. Duck egg blue works so perfectly with gold and silver metallics, and I love how clean the glass sweet jars look against the frothy ostrich feathers. The silhouettes at the bottom just perfect the whole look. I’ve paired the table with our first ever inspiration board, Duck Egg & Damask.


Dessert table: Amy Atlas
Inspiration Board: Top row (l-r): Photo of bridesmaids from InStyle Weddings; seating cards from Martha Stewart; white bouquet via Sugar Love Weddings; mood board from Ideal Home
Row 2: Place setting via 100 Layer Cake; photo of cake from Rebecca Thuss; vintage chairs via Annie Sloan
Row 3: Invitation by Star and Rose Stationery; martinis via Bridesmaid Stuff; silk shoe clips from The Blossom Shop at Etsy; fascinator via Bridal Express.

CIRCUS

The dessert table above was designed for a birthday, but would work just as well for a circus-themed wedding. There’s so much going on, and I love the way the red stripes are repeated throughout. And tell me that the popcorn and candyfloss won’t have guests’ mouths watering! The inspiration board is Circus Circus.


Dessert table: Two Queen Bees via Amy Atlas
Inspiration board: Top row (l-r): Circus sign; biscuits; ice cream and drink; circus tent
Row 2: Carousel horse; engagement shoot; menu; bridal party
Row 3: Popcorn cupcakes; decor; moustache sticks; animal masks; favour bags.

DESERT ROMANTIC

Me gusta! I adore how this dessert table goes beyond the table and separates elements onto different surfaces, including other furnishings like doors and window frames as well. Also love the Just Married burlap bunting and the soft roses interspersed throughout. The look matches perfectly with our desert Santa Fe Love Letter inspiration board.


Dessert table: Heavenly Blooms/This Modern Romance via Green Wedding Shoes
Inspiration board: Top row (l-r): Cacti; silver ristra necklace; bridesmaid’s dress (TripleCord Photography); papel picado garlands; succulent bouquet (Michelle Warren Photography)
Row 2: Succulent; adobe entrance; Georgia O’ Keefe painting; table setting (w. scott chester photography)
Row 3: Succulent hair decoration (Stephanie Williams); invitation; adobe with farolitos; turquoise bracelet (Twin Lens).

PARISIAN PASTELS

Whimsical is definitely the word for this shabby chic table. Love the vintage bureau and window combination, the hanging ribbons and the use of milk glass. And you guys, that ruffly cake! J’adore! I also like how bell jars have been used for height and visual interest. This table would is perfect with our Dreams & Love inspiration board, inspired by balloons and Paris.


Dessert table: Sweet & Saucy Shop
Inspiration board: Top row (l-r): Miss Dior advert; cake; bridesmaid; macaroon placecard holders; bubbles
Row 2: ‘Nothing is real but dreams and love’; Parisian details; cupcakes with flags
Row 3: Flowers; groom details; bride and groom with balloons; bunting table assignments; interior decor

GLITZ & GLAM

If your style is more bling than burlap, this one’s for you. Combining superhot pink and grey and mixing up vases of flowers with desserts (and even champagne – nice touch!) makes for a gorgeous visual with the chandelier a perfect centrepoint. Love how the ribbons have been used to just allow a little brick wall to peek through. All the containers are chosen for their glamosity. The table pairs perfectly with Shades of Pink & Grey, one of our most popular boards.


Dessert table via Save the Date for Cupcakes
Inspiration board: Top row (l-r): Flowers; bride & groom; groom’s tie and boutonniere; bridesmaid’s dress
Row 2: Macaroons; necklace; fortune cookies
Row 3: Peonies; bride with cupcake; diamonds; cake; shoes.

BEACHY CHIC

Here’s one of our more recent boards, Candyfloss & Lemonade, which included this soft beachy dessert table in yellow and pink. It was for a birthday, but I think the giant pinwheels and candystriped tablecloth would be perfectly at home for a fun, relaxed wedding. You may not want to go all-out with a sandcastle cake (but then again, why not?), but a standard cake would look just as good in the centre here. I especially love the way that little buckets have been used as containers.


Dessert table: Frog Prince Paperie/Party Dreamz via Pizzazerie
Inspiration board: Top row (l-r): Candyfloss; flip flops (Natalie Spencer); bride door sign (Kristen Weaver Photography); pink and yellow bouquet (Honey & Poppies); heart sweets (Creative Push)
Row 2: Summer love sign (Sarah Layne Photography); sunglasses; beachy dessert table (Party Dreamz/Frog Prince Paperie); pink and yellow bunting (Stephanie Cristalli); lollies
Row 3: Bride with bridesmaids (Kai Heeringa); ribbon garland (Party Dreamz/Frog Prince Paperie); ribbon wands (Cameron + Kelly/Sedona Bride); lemonade with stripy straws.

CITRUS ORCHARD

This is one of my all-time inspiration boards, Rustic Orchard, combining citrus details with vintage style. Love it. The dessert table doesn’t come from a wedding, but would work perfectly either for dessert or for pre-reception drinks (lemonade, of course!). I love the little teracotta pots filled with fruit and, of course, the bunting!


Dessert table: The Savvy Mom’s Guide via Amy Atlas
Inspiration board: Top row: Oranges; wreath; cake; lemonade; couple in orange grove
Row 2: Beloftebos; orange favour; vintage car; vintage advertisement
Row 3: Juggling groom; tablescape; candles; vintage advertisement; ladder.

SOFT SPARKLE

Finally, here’s another gorgeous Amy Atlas table, which was created for a Martha Stewart party. And you KNOW those ladies have impeccable style! As Amy often does, she’s combined sweets with desserts and used lots of different heights with a beautiful cake at the centre. if you look closely, there’s lots of pretty gold sparkle to accent the pink, just like in our popular Sparkle & Blush inspiration board!


Dessert table: Amy Atlas
Inspiration board: Top row (l-r): Bride and groom (Jose Villa); teacups (AveryHouse); glittery dresses (Edyta Szyszlo); cake with crown topper
Row 2: Bride with gold bracelet (Our Labor of Love); glitzy table setting; escort cards (AveryHouse); bride with sparkly shoes (Kellie Kano); pink lemonade (Alice Hu Photography)

Row 3: Cherry blossoms; macaroons; glitter; hearts (Joielala Photographie)

So, you love it. You want it. And you’re going to attempt it yourself. But how? Here are some top tips by the awesome Sweet & Saucy Shop, and from European Sweet Table winner Belle Amour.

And for more inspiration, check out:

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