From the Blog

Offbeat Dessert Ideas For Your NC Wedding

Published July 21, 2017

·

Updated August 28, 2017

Alternative Dessert of Ice Cream Popsicles from Mama Birds, f8 studios

Advertisement

Local Raleigh and Durham Wedding Dessert Ideas to supplement or replace your cake

There are few pairings in life that go together quite as well as cake and weddings. Wedding cakes are one of the first things you think of when imagining a special day. But that doesn’t mean it is the only dessert option you have for your wedding celebration. There are so many offbeat alternative wedding dessert ideas out there that might just want to add a second option for your guests. The Raleigh Durham area of NC has a host of creative desserts for your wedding day, and we’re excited to share some of our favorites.

Ice Cream and other Frozen Desserts as an end of Wedding Treat

If you live anywhere in the South, NC or otherwise, you know a frozen treat can be one of the best things on a hot day. If you’re having a summertime wedding, a great idea is one of the many different types of frozen dessert ideas. Andia’s Homemade Ice Cream makes such a vast menu of different ice cream treats. Not only can they create a one-of-a-kind ice cream sundae bar for your event, they also have incredibly unique desserts like these ice cream cannolis, ice cream cookie sandwiches, and more. Andia’s has a store-front in Cary, NC, and offers pickup, delivery and full-service catering of her non-traditional NC wedding desserts!

[one-half-first]Ice cream cannolis dipped in chocolate by Andias Ice Cream, Daniel J Studios[/one-half-first]
[one-half]A stack of Ice Cream sandwiches by Andias Homemade Ice Cream Daniel J Studios[/one-half]

Photos by Daniel J Studios

Alternative Dessert of Ice Cream Popsicles from Mama Birds, f8 studios

Mama Bird’s Cookies + Cream is another company that makes incredibly delectable frozen treats. They have ice cream cookies, ice cream pops! Plus to top off your event, you can rent their adorable Mama Bird’s ice cream cart! Visit Mama Bird’s for a taste test at their Holly Springs NC storefront.

[one-half-first]Mama Birds Ice Cream Cart for desserts at events, f8 studios[/one-half-first]
[one-half]Woman holding homeade ice cream treat on a stick by Mama Birds, f8 studios[/one-half]

Photos by f8 Photo Studios

Not an ice cream fan but love the idea of cooling your guests down with a frozen treat in the warmer months? Try SweetWater NY Ice’s authentic New York Italian ice (pictured below). They serve up the most delicious water ice from their absolutely darling hand cart and vintage van plus they have a whole handful of flavors for you and your guests to enjoy! Hot tip: you might find Michael or Rich on Wednesday afternoons on Fayetteville Street come summer.

Alternative Dessert at Wedding, Sweet Water Ice in Raleigh NC
Photos by Facebook

1950s SweetWater NY Ice Co Classic Truck at The Carolina Inn Chapel Hill by Kate Pope Photography

Photos by Kate Pope Photography

 

Wedding Day Local Raleigh Donuts

Whether or not you are having a breakfast or brunch wedding celebration, donuts are always a good idea! There are places beyond the typical donut stores that you can have unique donut creations catered for you! Rise Biscuit and Donuts and Duck Donuts both are staples in the Triangle area, but many smaller bakeries can make these delicious treats as well.

Donut bar at outdoor wedding in nc at Iron Horse by Trek and Bloom.
Photo by Trek and Bloom Photography

Ask your Wedding Baker about Dessert Pops

At an event, everything is better in bite size form! Pops have taken on a new life in the last few years. Gone are the boring sugar circles and in are the many dessert creations that can now be balanced at the top of your stick! One Belle Bakery creates a one bite pie pop that is almost too cute to eat (at left)! While cake pops have become more well known over recent years, they haven’t lost their charm! These cake pops below from Sugar Euphoria are just some of their many takes on the fun dessert bite (at right)!

[one-half-first]Pie Pops One Belle Bakery Renee Sprink[/one-half-first]
[one-half]Alternative Dessert Cake Pops by Sugar Euphoria Floral Dimensions KAtherine Miles Jones[/one-half]
Photos by Renee Sprink Photography and Katherine Miles Jones Photography

Custom Wedding Cookie Favors

Cookies may not see so “off beat” but there are so many ways to make cookies a unique wedding dessert treat. You can customize them with your monogram, wedding theme, and even some companies, like Parker Crazy Cookies, can make them into your face!

Alternative Dessert Monogram Cookie Wedding Favor Missy Loves Jerry Photography
Photo by Missy Loves Jerry Photography

Grooms personalized cookies in shape of both grooms at wedding at The Umstead Adam Chapin Photography
Photo by Adam Chapin Photography

Check out all of our SB&G Preferred bakeries!

Advertisement

Advertisement

Weekly Wedding Planner

We're Here for You Every Step, Every Week

NC vendor spotlights, real wedding inspiration and planning advice from our local wedding community.

You're in! Go find your welcome email (could be in Spam or Promotions) and whitelist us so you don't miss a thing.

Find Your Wedding Pros

Ready to Start Booking?

Browse NC venues and vendors who fit your budget and your style.

Search the Directory

Why Trust Our Recommendations

How We Choose Our Vendors

We've been connecting North Carolina couples with wedding pros for more than 40 years. Every vendor in our directory is a local business we know – and we only recommend the people we'd send our own friends to. Read more about how we choose.

We review their work

Our editors look at real weddings, portfolios and style before anyone joins.

We check the business

Business registration, insurance and years of experience are part of every application.

We ask around

References from fellow NC wedding pros and past couples round out the picture.

Love is love

Every vendor supports our mission to represent all weddings, including LGBTQ+ couples. Read our statement on inclusivity.

Scroll to Top

Step 1 of 3

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

2027 Magazine Preorder

Reserve Your FREE Copy of the 2027 Wedding Guide

Real weddings, local vendor features, budgeting advice and creative inspiration from across the heart of North Carolina. Preorder now and we'll ship your free copy straight to your door in January.