5 Creative Alternatives to a Traditional Wedding Cake
Coupe towers, tiramisu, and pastry showpieces are stealing the spotlight in 2025.
The traditional tiered wedding cake is no longer the only star of the dessert table. In 2025, couples are getting bolder, more personal, and far more creative with how they serve up sweetness on their big day. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a statement-filled celebration at Oxleaze Barn, these dessert alternatives are as stylish as they are delicious. From delicate French pastries to sculptural dessert spreads, here are five on-trend wedding cake alternatives that are redefining the finale course.
1. Coupe Towers
A modern twist on the champagne tower, this dessert-forward trend is all about impact. Picture a stack of delicate coupe glasses, each filled with a miniature dessert—lemon posset, chocolate mousse, or raspberry panna cotta. It’s interactive, effortlessly elegant, and makes for a memorable toast (and photo moment) all in one.
2. Tiramisu
Tiramisu is stepping out of the café and onto the wedding table in a big way–literally. This Italian icon is being reimagined as a large-format, rectangular sharing dessert, perfect for passing around family-style or serving up in generous scoops. With its luscious layers of coffee-soaked sponge and velvety mascarpone cream, tiramisu hits that sweet spot between comfort and sophistication. Dress it up with a dusting of cocoa, gold leaf, or edible flowers, and it becomes a laid-back yet luxurious centrepiece that invites guests to dig in together–because who says dessert can’t feel like a celebration in itself?
3. Mille-feuille Cakes
Mille-feuille cakes are the understated stars of 2025’s wedding dessert scene–channelling that effortlessly chic, European elegance that feels straight out of a summer wedding in Provence. These refined, single-tier creations feature layers of crisp puff pastry and silky pastry cream, usually finished with a scattering of fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar. They’re perfect for couples leaning into a minimalist, fashion-forward aesthetic.
4. Dessert Tablescapes
Forget choosing just one dessert. Curated dessert tables are the maximalist dream—a styled selection of macarons, tartlets, cookies, and confections, layered among florals and soft linens. Think of it as a graze-worthy, edible installation that’s part décor, part indulgence, and totally reflective of your style.
5. Croquembouche Towers
This towering French showstopper is making a comeback with a modern twist. Crisp choux buns filled with pastry cream and spun with caramel or chocolate are stacked into dramatic cones and accented with flowers or fresh herbs. It's a luxurious blend of tradition and theatre—perfect for couples who want dessert with drama.
