20 Dessert Table Setup Ideas

Dessert tables are a great way to delight guests with their favorite treats for any celebration, and of course a wedding reception. When done right, it can be a beautiful and creative way to make an elevated and elegant statement at events.

Rather than offering only one or two dessert options that may or may not appeal to guests (and could lead to waste), creating a wedding dessert table can be a great option to add in an array of dessert ideas such as macarons, mini cakes, pies, tartlets, puddings, donuts, candy or whatever your budget allows no matter how big or small — the sky's the limit!

With the right set up, dessert tables are a creative way to present different kinds of desserts to guests and add visual interests to the reception venue. So if you’re searching up ideas for how to display your desserts, we’ve got you covered.

Today, I’m sharing a round-up of dessert table setup ideas that you would love that will make things super easy and elegant. Everything from how to add height, the types of dessert trays, backdrops and more.

20 Dessert Table Setup Ideas

Ideas for the dessert menu

Before we can get into what equipment and pieces you should use, you’ll want to first draw up a dessert menu. What types of desserts do you prefer to have at your event? Here are a few dessert menu ideas to try.

Cakes Galore

I’ve seen dessert tables that are all cakes (think mini cakes, main cakes, cupcakes, cake pops). You can even make a cake pop structure to look like a cake with a bit of fauna as a cake topper as the main centerpiece. Or of course you can also display your wedding cake, diaper cake (at a baby shower) or birthday cake as the main centerpiece as well.

Candy Crush

If you or your guests have an extra sweet tooth (or if it’s for a baby shower or kid’s party), candy themes are a great way to go. Hit up a candy store and add all of your favorites to the cart. There are so many options to go about adding candy too. You can have an assortment of different chocolates, taffy, licorice, gum, gummies, jelly beans, the more the merrier! What makes this one a great option is that everything can be store bought.

Ice Cream Sundaes

If your event is during the hotter months of the summer, an ice cream sundae theme is a tried and true way to go. Your arrangement should include three to five ice cream options (plus a dairy-free option like italian ice). Then you’ll want to have an assortment of toppings your guests can add on as well. Think fresh or dried fruit, chocolate chips, sprinkles, whipped cream, and more.

Donut Wall

If you want to serve up donuts, a good way to do that is with a donut wall. Although, not exactly a “dessert table”, you can approach it a few different ways either by making the donut wall the backdrop and having the jelly filled donuts or donut holes stacked on towers and on display on the table along with toppings. 

Assorted Sweets Table

The classic way to do a dessert table is with an assortment of all kinds of desserts – think tarts, cookies, pies, puddings, and more. I’ll talk more about the different display options and what they’re best used for, but first you’ll want to make a decision on what dessert you even want to serve.

Looking for healthier dessert option ideas? Try these high protein desserts for your dessert display. 

Ideas for how to display your treats

If you’re wanting to decorate your dessert, you’re going to want to make sure you have the right equipment. The main thing you’re going to need are some dessert trays to beautifully display your delectable desserts. The following work great to elevate the look of your dessert tables and wow your guests with a beautiful display of your assortment. 

Apothecary jars

Great for storage after the event or decoration. You can use apothecary jars to display cookies or candies or as vases to display greenery decor.

Cake stands

You don’t want to just set your cake down in it still in the box. Present your treats on a stand to elevate your cake and make it look more intentional, thought out and elevated. 

Mini dessert cups (with mini spoons)

Perfect for fruit, puddings, or mousse dessert options. You can get them in rectangle shapes or as cylinders.

Pastry or Appetizer trays

Use appetizer trays to display a wide variety of pastries or treats.

Cupcake stands (or 3 tier dessert stand)

This is a classic and easy way of displaying your sweet treats. Think macaroons, fruit, cookies, cupcakes, donuts, or more. 

Cake Pedestal

Cake pedestals are another great option to add height and give cakes a more visually appealing display.

Serving trays or platters

Perfect for a charcuterie styled display of your sweet treats. You can get them in many different styles or shapes. Thick wooded and circular adds dimension and texture to elevate the look of any dessert table display. So does clear glass.

Plates

You can also get a 3-tiered plate stand to showcase your hot treats or bakery goods for your guests.

Ideas to take it up a notch

Decide on a theme.

Elevate the ambiance of your special occasion with the theme. Are you decorating a dessert table for a special occasion like a birthday party, wedding reception, or baby shower, or is it for a seasonal holiday display? Decide on a theme if you haven’t already. This can also help you craft a menu that’ll perfectly fit the occasion beyond just the star couple’s favorite treats. 

Add height.

Regardless of what sweets you decide to dish up, one thing you’ll want to make sure you incorporate to your dessert table is a variation in height. You may add height with food risers and dessert towers. Or you can also use crates or small containers camouflaged underneath a tablecloth to add height and elevation. 

Create a backdrop

When you want to make a statement, the backdrop behind the dessert table is a sure way to add more beauty and pazzazz. You can keep things chic with silk curtains, make it rustic with wood or brick backdrop, or add in greenery with faux plants to create a floral, garden, or jungle safari backdrop to fit a wedding or baby shower theme. Some occasions may even call for a special balloon display arch – with your dessert table of course being the main attraction.

Add balloons

Pump things up with color at your next soiree with a balloon display as an additional way to make a statement.

Let there be light.

Use the venue to your advantage. Is there a chandelier in the room (or some other visually appealing light fixture)? If so, could you set the dessert table somewhere nearby? You can also add in lighting by incorporating string lights or candles. My favorite for candles are the long candlesticks or tea tree lights floating around in water. You can also use the faux tea tree lights that are battery operated as well.

Signage

If you are getting married, a sign of the bride and groom’s initials is an elegant way to tie in the theme for the occasion and add a visually interesting piece to your dessert displays. At baby showers, the name of the bundle of joy is an appropriate display or for birthdays a phrase to suit the theme like “Roaring 20s” are appropriate signage to include here behind the dessert table display.

Add floral

Decorate your dessert with flower arrangements – real or faux. Place them in vases throughout, drape them along your dessert table or present them in the backdrop as a display.

Looking for more ideas for your wedding dessert table? Try these dessert options for weddings.

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