What can I do instead of a wedding cake?

If a classic fruit or sponge cake is not for you, there are plenty of alternatives. A croquembouche, a tower of profiteroles, is a French classic that looks impressive and is easy to serve. A cheesecake tower, with different flavours on each tier, is another popular option. You could also have a pavlova, a tray of brownies, or a stack of doughnuts.

For a more casual feel, set up a dessert table with a mix of sweet treats: cupcakes, macarons, cookies, or mini tarts. Guests can help themselves, which is often simpler than cutting and serving a cake. If you still want a cake-cutting moment, you can have a small single-tier cake just for the two of you, and then serve something else to guests.

Think about your venue and the season. In summer, an ice cream cart or a sorbet station might be lovely. In winter, a warm pudding like sticky toffee or a chocolate fondue could be a hit. Consider dietary needs too: offer a gluten-free or vegan option so everyone has something.

Whatever you choose, make sure it fits your budget and your theme. Your dessert should feel like you, not like a box you have to tick. And remember, you do not have to have any dessert at all if you prefer to focus on other parts of the meal.