Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or graduation, or hosting a shower or holiday get-together, a delectable dessert is a must-have. Not only is dessert the perfect ending to a meal, but it’s also another opportunity to add your personal touch to the occasion. Setting up a dessert table allows you to showcase your creativity in a fun and memorable way. But there is more to a dessert table set-up than just the desserts. So, today I’m sharing some dessert table set-up ideas for different occasions, including everything you need to recreate them for your next gathering.
Sweet! 10 Dessert Table Set-Up Ideas For Different Occasions
Whimsical Dessert Table Set-Up
I love using whimsical themes for table set-ups because there are so many ways to do it, many of which center around pieces you probably already have in your home. You can do an enchanted forest-themed dessert spread, a vintage-whimsical tablescape, or something like this Alice & Wonderland Dessert Table. There’s no wrong way to set up a whimsical dessert bar, but the more you can think outside of the box, the better!
Rustic Dessert Table Set-Up
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Rustic weddings are everywhere these days, but don’t let that keep you from embracing the lovely details of this theme for your special occasion. There are still plenty of ways to make your dessert table stand out. Here are some of my favorite ideas for a rustic party or wedding dessert table set-up:
- Stick with neutral colors or earth tones
- Incorporate wood elements, such as these tiered modern rustic or ash wood cake stands
- Decorate the table with greenery or wildflowers
- Elevate your dessert set-up with wine or burlap accents
Mini Desserts Table Set-Up
This dessert table set-up idea is dedicated to all things bite-sized. We’re talking about mini shooters, cake pops, chocolate-covered strawberries, mini pies, cheesecake bites, one-bite brownies, and petit fours. Include as many or as little as you want. Mix and match different serveware and they can double as decor! Pottery Barn has an excellent array of serving trays and platters to choose from.
Ice Cream Bar Dessert Table Set-Up
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An ice cream bar, or sundae bar, is one of the more popular dessert table ideas because it’s easy to set up and allows guests to customize their dessert. Swap the classic birthday cake for assorted ice cream flavors and toppings, or serve them both. To keep the ice cream frozen, sit it in ice inside of a bucket or tub, like this galvanized ice tub, which can double as the centerpiece of your dessert display. Filling vessels with various toppings makes it easy for your guests to make their own treats. These plastic bowls come with tongs and scoops! Add more than enough bowls for your guests, and be sure to include an ice cream scoop for each ice cream flavor. It’s up to you whether or not to include cones!
When you create an epic summer birthday or graduation dessert table set-up, you can have your cake and your ice cream, too!
Parisian Dessert Table Set-Up
Bring the beauty of Paris to your special event with a Parisian-themed dessert table. Use a black and white color scheme, with or without a pop of color, and incorporate familiar details like miniature Eiffel Towers or this cute wood sign. These dessert displays would be perfect for a Paris-themed set-up! A Paris backdrop will immediately clue your guests into the theme of your event.
Of course, you’ll want to serve Parisian desserts like macarons, chouquettes, eclairs, profiteroles, palmiers, fruit tarts, and more. There’s no shame in using all store-bought desserts here!
Nostalgic Dessert Table Set-Up
There’s something extra comforting about family recipes and old-school treats from your childhood. A nostalgic dessert table set-up is perfect for when you want to include several party or wedding desserts. Since the desserts are the star of this show, a more simple table set-up tends to work best. A white tablecloth and acrylic risers would be lovely. If family members are contributing their signature desserts to the set-up, you can encourage them to use a special dish for an extra special touch.
Candy Dessert Table Set-Up
Do sweet treats make you feel like a kid in a candy store? Bring the candy store to you! For a fantastic birthday, Halloween, or graduation dessert table set-up, you can indulge every sweet tooth in the room. Display your candy in jars or bowls that are wide enough to scoop out of, so they are easy to see. If you’re planning to set up your dessert table outside, you might want to consider containers with lids to keep bugs out.
For more fun, kid-friendly sweets, check out these Halloween treats to make with kids.
Milk and Cookies Dessert Table Set-Up
A milk and cookies dessert table is such a cute idea for practically any occasion. The key to pulling this off for a crowd is to include plenty of cookies, including at least 3-4 different flavors. To keep the milk cold, you can use the same ice bucket trick from above. There are tons of themed party decorations on Amazon, as well as everything you need for the ultimate DIY milk and cookies bar, including:
- Clear plastic milk bottles with straws
- Milk bottle cookie cutter
- Acrylic serving tray with handles
- Gingham tablecloth
Pie Dessert Table Set-Up
It doesn’t take much to set up a pie dessert table, yet it makes a big impact on any special occasion. Pies are homely and just as nice to look at as they are to eat. Include an assortment of pies and display them at varying heights so your dessert table looks balanced. You could use these risers, and then fill the space on the table below them with flowers, greenery, and other decorative elements that match the event theme.
Chocolate Dessert Table Set-Up
A chocolate fountain can be super fun, but it gets so messy, so fast. Steer clear of this novelty and create a chocolate dessert table that is guaranteed to please even your stiffest guests. Fill trays and tiered stands, like this champagne gold tiered stand from Pottery Barn, with assorted gourmet chocolates, your personal favorite chocolate treats, and other chocolatey confections you couldn’t imagine going without.
How To Set Up A Dessert Table: Tips and Tricks
Pick A Theme Or Color Scheme
If you don’t already have a theme or color scheme for the occasion, pick one for your dessert table. This will make it easier to choose everything else. There are tons of options, from rustic or boho to pastel rainbow or black and white modern minimalist.
Decide On A Menu
With your theme or color scheme in mind, decide on a menu. What kind of desserts do you want to serve? What treats will your guests enjoy? Think about whether or not, realistically, you can put it together for the occasion, because some ideas seem great, but if you’re a one-woman set-up crew like me, they might be more trouble than they are worth.
Arrange The Desserts
First, decide where to have your dessert table set up. Your guests should be able to get to it and move around it with extra space around them.
Then, consider the arrangement of your desserts. Practicality is more important than symmetry, which means that no matter how beautiful your display of desserts is, it’s nothing more than a taunting visual display if your guests can’t help themselves with it.
Add Decorative Elements
Decorative elements can take your dessert table from eh to AH-mazing! Select decor, as well as serveware, utensils, and plates or bowls, that match your theme. If you want to go all-out and over-the-top, then by all means! But you don’t need a lot of extra fluff for a great dessert table set-up.
Finish With A Personal Touch
One of my favorite ways to instantly elevate any element in my home is to add a personal touch. Things like handwritten signs, photographs, or handmade decorations really help your dessert table stand out.
Which dessert table set-up would you use for a party or special occasion?
First, I’d love to know how you guys feel about dessert tables in general. Do you think they’re worth it, or do you prefer a classic cake set-up? There’s no shame in sticking with the classics!
If you’re like me and you love the thought of putting together the perfect party dessert table, what would yours look like?
For ways to transform your brunch table with a beautiful tablescape, check out these brunch table-setting ideas!
