Looking for a sweet swap from traditional heirloom wedding cake? Or to change up from a classic sponge or iced fruitcake? Whether it's due to summer heatwave season or to a wedding abroad, or you simply want to create a different sort of wedding cake cutting memory than what's been round for generations, we've seen so many lovely new ideas from Real Weddings lately that we thought it was time for a new round up. How much fun do these couples look like they are having with the iconic cake cutting/serving moment here? You will also find a tonne of other ideas for cake swaps in this Alternatives to Wedding Cake feature here....

Five Real Life Wedding Ways to Create Sweet Memories Images by Daria Photography at the wedding of Lucia & Diarmuid via One Fab Day The Tiramisu Tower

The Tiramisu Tower as a wedding cake moment has been a growing trend for the last few seasons, and features this delicious Italian pudding of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, velvety mascarpone cream, and cocoa powder (often served as a large, customisable slab tray or an interactive dessert station) taking centre stage. You can personalise the top with custom cocoa-dusted messages like "Just Married," and decorate liberally with fresh berries, or portioned into elegant individual martini or coupe glasses. If your venue has limited refrigeration, a live assembly by a caterer or chef - with couples dusting the chocolate on top - can also be a great focal point for guests.

Images by Ana Marina Sanz at the wedding of Codie and Scott via One Fab Day The Assemble Yourself Pavlova

Pavlova style and meringue-like wedding cakes are also having a moment, as we know - and we've seen these come through particularly strongly for high summer weddings and celebrations in the foreign sunshine of late, as of course they are fresh and light at the end of a wedding multi-course continental feast. Named for the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, and originating in either New Zealand or Australia (they are still arguing over that one) the beauty of this simple pudding is that it can be assembled either by the chef, DIY style by guests or even by the couple as an extra bit of fun entertainment. Another plus of a pavlova cake at a wedding is that it is naturally gluten-free which makes it an easy serve to all guests.

Images by Frances Mary Sales at the wedding of Hannah and Mike via One Fab Day The Croquenbouche

First off, we love that the translation of this desert from the French literally means "crunch in the mouth" - already this classic wedding choux pastry tower is sounding like a very sexy desert to us! Made as it is of custard-filled profiteroles held together by spun caramel, this elegant and super special pudding is one we see particularly in our French château destination real weddings or an Irish-French union. For other Gallic traditions see also macaron or madeline towers - both very much One Fab Day approved!

Images by ID Media Pro at the wedding of Rebekah & David via One Fab Day The Donut Stack

Not a new trend by any stretch but we want to incorporate the beloved donut tower and the myriad ways you can add this popular sweet treat into your desert moment. We have also seen donuts pop up so much in our real weddings lately for them to warrant inclusion. Requiring no cutting and super easy to serve, their appeal needs no explanation. Staying with a little more tradition however, we do also love the idea of a hybrid approach that the couple above took - so having a cake as well as a donut tower - to cover all bases!

Images by Cristiana Fiorini at the wedding of Caroline and Kevin via One Fab Day The Millefoglie

Firmly back on the scene since being captured at Millie Bobby Brown's (still trending) wedding, this Italian originated Millefoglie desert, which translates as 'a thousand leaves', is made up of alternating delicious and delicate layers of puff pastry and vanilla custard and topping it all off with whipped fresh cream. Traditionally dressed with fresh berries like raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, it can be round, square, and even stacked in tiers. Similar to a pavlova, this desert moment not only looks fresh and fruity, it is also a lighter alternative to the traditional wedding cake, which is probably why it is also seen at a lot of summer weddings or weddings in sunnier climes. Buon appetito!

Want more inspiration for wedding cakes and alternatives ? Check out 16 more ideas from the One Fab Day team here

You might also like...