Something Sweet Beyond the Traditional Cake

For decades, one of the most anticipated events of the evening is the cutting of the cake. In more recent years, we have found an increase with today’s couples looking beyond the typical cake tradition and deciding to go with desserts that are more fun and personal. Varying from vintage ice cream trucks and interactive dessert stations to cannoli stations and macaroon bars, Pennsylvania couples have plenty of possibilities to choose from when it comes to perfecting the wedding dessert experience. 

These couples have not completely given up the cake-cutting tradition. They have decided to continue this tradition with a simple cake for photo opportunities while providing guests with a wide array of alternative desserts. This solution has given couples the joy of maintaining the traditional wedding moment as well as an elaborate dessert spread that gives the guest their choice of a sweet treat.

For a wedding in the warmer seasons, an ice cream truck can be seen as a great alternative to the traditional cake. It can be a memorable experience for the guest that is both delicious and fun. 

A great option to consider is Philadelphia’s Zsa’s Ice Cream. They bring scratch-made ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, and sorbet to special events using a vintage 1963 International Harvester ice cream truck or cart. Zsa’s Ice Cream typically promotes services for weddings and mentions the vintage truck is a good photo opportunity. 

For a Central Pennsylvania couple, a company to look into could be Scoop Dreams Ice Cream Truck. Scoop Dreams is able to bring a piece of Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream to your special day whether you are a Penn State graduate or you enjoy good ice cream. This is a Dover-based mobile ice cream vendor that provides for events throughout South Central Pennsylvania. 

Within the Lancaster area, there is Penny’s Ice Cream which has the option of a mobile ice cream service. This includes an ice cream truck and a portable cart. The wedding service option lets couples have an ice-cream-shop-style feel at the reception. 

As for the Chambersburg area, Dietrich's Ice Cream is a family-owned ice cream truck business. They provide a wide variety of ice cream, floats, and snow cones. The business has grown over the years, originally made for car shows but has turned into a bigger opportunity by going to weddings, corporate events, and more.

When planning the dessert portion of a wedding, it seems impossible to narrow the options. A dessert table can help you have several options for guests to choose from. 

Dessert tables have recently gained popularity as a means of turning the dessert portion into a beautiful display. Couples have the ability to combine cupcakes, macarons, pastries, and any other sweets they may desire. 

One Pennsylvania option is Bella Christie’s Sweet Boutique in Pittsburgh, which combines traditional dessert options with crafting and ensures a positive experience. Bella Christie’s Sweet Boutique offers catering, wedding cakes, and interactive dessert stations. Each guest is able to become part of the dessert decision while enjoying the different flavors that come from the local bakery. 

As for a Lancaster based wedding, there is Salt & Light Pastry Co., which offers an array of desserts including cookies, cupcakes, pastries, macarons, and more. This is a more traditional option with the ability for each guest to choose what they enjoy. 

Pennsylvania couples may want to adopt the Pittsburgh-area cookie table tradition. Instead of serving one cake for the wedding, families are able to put a table together filled with a variety of homemade or locally purchased cookies. The tradition has remained within Pittsburgh-area weddings and has grown bigger as couples put their own twist on it. 

Guests typically appreciate a cupcake alternative instead of a traditional wedding cake. They are able to be shown on a tiered stand placed in such a way that creates the look of a wedding cake. This allows more flavor options to be offered for guests as well. 

As for couples near Central Pennsylvania, The Cupcake Company provides a wide variety of cupcake flavors as well as cake options. They have a location within Dalmatia, ensuring classy and elegant desserts for a special evening. Couples are allowed to mix and match cake and icing flavors, making it possible to meet all their wedding visions. 

In Scranton, The Minooka Pastry Shop has a specialty in wedding cakes. The bakery has made wedding cakes, cupcake style cakes, and pastries. This is a good alternative for those who want individual desserts that are beautiful and easy for guests to grab. 

Cupcakes are also a simple alternative that makes wedding planning easier. There will not be a line waiting for slices of a cake and there are more options for flavors of desserts. 

As a Pennsylvania couple who may want an interactive experience, a cannoli station might be the right choice. 

Within the Pittsburgh area, there is Moio’s Italian Pastry Shop. They provide a cannoli station at weddings and guests are able to choose their cannoli, fillings, and toppings. The Strolling Cannoli is a good way for the dessert portion of your evening to be even more memorable and fun. 

This allows guests to watch their desserts being prepared, instead of a typical dessert table. Couples are able to choose the toppings offered to the guests that align with their wedding theme. 

Macarons are another good alternative for couples who are looking for a dessert that is elegant and also easy to personalize. 

A Pennsylvania bakery, Sweet Velvet Marcarons, based outside of Harrisburg specializes in French-style macarons. They have a wide variety of flavors and available customizations. The shop shows personalized treats and macaron towers, which would fit many wedding styles. 

Another bakery to consider is Macaron Bar, which is located in Pittsburgh. They offer macaron towers, favors, and cakes. Macarons are a unique dessert, but are able to show expression and personality. This can allow couples to bring more of their wedding colors into their treats. 

As couples begin to make big decisions for their special day, they may want to keep some of the traditions of a typical wedding. If you enjoy the idea of a wedding cake but do not want that to be the only dessert, consider opting for a smaller cake with more dessert options on the table. 

This option allows couples more freedom. There are many options for the desserts, such as a simple vanilla cake for the photographs while you provide the guests with cupcakes, macarons, and other mini desserts. The dessert table can become more of a representation of your personality rather than just another tradition to maintain. 

When it comes to your dessert options, it is important to consider the wedding style, venue, season, and guests attending. 

• For a classic wedding: Go with a small traditional wedding cake surrounded by an array of mini desserts.
• For a sophisticated wedding: Think about a macaron tower, French pastries, or a well thought out dessert table.
• For a summer wedding: A vintage ice cream truck or gelato cart can be a delightful and fun choice. 
• For a family-based wedding: Welcome Pennsylvania’s cookie-table tradition and request family members to contribute favorite recipes if they please. 
• For couples who want multiple: Consider all the options and compromise. A small cake with a dessert table might be the right choice.

While one of the most anticipated events of the evening may be cake cutting, Pennsylvania couples are able to have many options as for the dessert portion of their special day. The traditional wedding cake will remain popular, but there are additional possibilities that can enhance the day. Whether it be a table filled with homemade cookies or a vintage ice cream truck parked outside the venue, the dessert options can be as personal as you choose.