Ideas

28 Summer Wedding Dessert Ideas The Whole Party Will Love

Exclusive access to expert wedding planning advice and resources from top industry professionals.
If you're planning a warm-weather wedding, you're going to have to be extra choosy about your big-day desserts. Why, you ask? Well, not only will you want to serve something that's refreshing and seasonal, but you also have to pick sweets that won't melt in the heat and humidity!

01. S'Mores Station

“Create a DIY s’mores bar with different types of chocolates, marshmallows, and graham crackers.”
- Misty Damico, CEO & Founder, Luxe Event Productions
If you want the authentic s'mores experience, invite guests to a cozy mini bonfire outside your reception venue.

02. Macaron Tower

“Work with your baker to create a tower of pastel-hued macarons for an additional dessert option or wedding cake alternative. You can make it even more visually appealing by incorporating some of your wedding theme and colors.”
- Krisy Thomas, Master Certified Wedding Planner, Southern Sparkle Wedding & Event Planning + Vice President, Certified Wedding Planner Society

03. Late Night Milk and Cookies Dessert Bar

“After a night of dancing, a delicious cookie or brownie + a cold glass of milk is just the energy boost that can bring a second wind or signal the closing bell is approaching.”
- Elizabeth Goel, Bite Catering Couture

04. Boozy Sweets

“A fun dessert idea if cake isn't your thing and you want to cool your guests down is a boozy popsicle, spiked ice pop, ice cream cart, or even alcohol-infused sorbets! These make great welcome "cocktails" as guests are in the sun awaiting a ceremony to begin, during cocktail hour to loosen up! or later in the night to take things up a notch. Discuss with your caterer creative and unique presentations and be sure to clearly label that the items include alcohol.”
- Nora Sheils, Founder, Bridal Bliss + Co-Founder, Rock Paper Coin

05. Overloaded Milkshakes

Picture a chocolate milkshake that's rimmed with chocolate peanut butter, topped with M&Ms and peanut butter cups, and topped off with a Sugar Daddy, pretzels, whipped cream, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Well, that's an actual thing, and it's being served at BlackTap in NYC.
Get creative at your warm-weather wedding with a milkshake bar, complete with all the fixin's to satisfy any sweet tooth!

06. Ice Cream Truck

“Ice cream just screams summer! We all love a surprise ice cream truck at the end of a wedding! Cool off your guests as they depart by having an ice cream truck pull up to offer guests a cold, refreshing treat as they head home!”

07. Watermelon Lollipops

Cut small wedges of watermelon and skewer them with lollipop sticks. Drizzle with honey for a little extra sweetness! Perfect for spring and summer weddings when watermelons and other fresh fruit are in season.

08. Banana Pudding

While this dessert isn't exactly new (in fact, it's kind of perfectly old school), we've never seen it served up at a wedding. Try a variation of the classic, like Magnolia Bakery's chocolate banana pudding. Uh, yum.

09. Affogato Station

“One of my favorite summer desserts that we've done in the past is an affogato station! The blend of ice cream and espresso keeps you cool and awake as you take a pause from the dance floor!”
- Melanie Levin, Owner, LuckEleven Events

10. Dessert Buffet

“Cake is the traditional dessert for weddings, so if you want to change it up and be unique then selecting what your favorite desserts are to serve your guests will create a customized experience! If you love all wedding desserts, then a dessert buffet will give your guests variety. Keep your dessert table personalized and it will always be a hit for your loved ones!”
- Casey Stamouli, Owner & Lead Planner, Casey & Co. Events

11. Kouign-Amann

Move over croquembouche, because this French pastry is moving in. Pronounced “queen aman,” this treat is best described as a cake made from bread dough with layers of butter and sugar folded in. And if you want to get really crazy, serve up this pastry with ice cream like Dominique Ansel did.

12. Strawberry Shortcake

“More often couples are looking for creative alternatives to traditional wedding cake (or great options to complement the cake!). I love to see my couples putting a fun spin on traditional summertime desserts like strawberry shortcake, powdered sugar, and vanilla ice cream!”
- Alexandra Denniston, Owner & Lead Planner, Eventlightenment Planning
Pro tip: Fill mini Mason jars with strawberries and angel food cake. But keep that whipped cream topping refrigerated until the last minute.

13. Sweet and Savory Popcorn

“Our bride and groom were not wedding cake lovers, but they love popcorn! We brought in a freshly-popped popcorn bar with savory and sweet toppings to choose from. The custom popcorn boxes made it an easy portable treat for the dance floor, and it smelled amazing!”
- Bri Williams, Bri Williams Events

14. Donut Ice Cream Cones 

These insane cones crafted by Eva's Original are made from donut dough, covered in butter and cinnamon sugar, and baked. If you take your sweets seriously, consider filling these decadent and creative cones with soft serve for a super sweet end to the night.

15. Cupcake Tower

“While not a classic wedding cake, you can still have a tower display with an array of cupcakes in different flavors.”
- Misty Damico, CEO & Founder, Luxe Event Productions

16. Wedding Dessert Bar with a Small Wedding Cake

“You can still enjoy the cake cutting and all the ceremony/ photos and then let the cake eaters enjoy their slice while providing other options for people who prefer other sweet things! It's a great way to address dietary issues and preferences in a silent way while letting all get excited about the cake (and dessert) table!”
- Elizabeth Goel, Bite Catering Couture
Add a wide array of different desserts, such as cake pops, ice cream sandwiches, cream puff towers, mini cheesecakes, caramel apples, and even lighter options like fresh fruit.

17. Naked Wedding Cake

Naked cakes are perfect for summer weddings because they have very little icing. If you opt for a more traditional cake, make sure to choose an icing that won't melt easily, and keep it refrigerated until cake cutting time!

18. Raindrop Cake

NYC-based chef Darren Wong modeled this concoction after a traditional Japanese dish and describes it as, "a light, delicate, and refreshing raindrop made for your mouth."
If you're looking to seriously wow guests at a small soiree, serve it up alongside roasted soybean flour (kinako) and a sugary syrup called kuromitsu.

19. Banana Tartlet

Serve a tart shell filled with banana patisserie cream or banana pudding, caramelized and topped with a fresh slice of banana. It's an easy and simple wedding dessert that's both tasty and affordable.

20. Flaming Donuts

“There are many opportunities to use different wedding desserts to substitute for or provide additional alternatives to the traditional wedding cake. One idea we love is a flaming donuts station. Take some wedding favorite elements: donuts, chef-run action station, fire, and alcohol and combine them together in one fun and delicious mix.”
- Elizabeth Goel, Bite Catering Couture

21. Chocolate Fondue

“Whether you don't like cake or you just want to do something unique, there are so many non-cake dessert options that are both fun AND delicious. A chocolate fondue station is a classic that's always delicious!”
Pro tip: Pimp out your wedding dessert table with fun things to dip into melted chocolate dip, such as fresh fruit, marshmallows, pretzels, and more!

22. Snow Cones

Help your wedding guests beat the heat with a snow cone wedding dessert bar. Get creative with your flavors! Serve up classic flavors like cherry or grape, or opt for boozy cones.

23. Fruit Tarts or Pies

"Serve individual fruit tarts with a buttery crust and a variety of fresh seasonal fruits on top. Or, serve mini pies filled with summer fruits like berries, peaches, or cherries.”
- Misty Damico, CEO & Founder, Luxe Event Productions

24. Frozen Key Lime Bites

Want cold, refreshing, and mess-free sweet treats? Try a graham cracker base topped with key lime ice cream and brûléed marshmallow.

25. Mexican Pan Dulce Bar

Pan dulce, or "sweet bread," is a variety of Mexican pastries and baked goods that are popular for breakfast or as a snack. A beautifully arranged dessert table filled with an assortment of pan dulce can offer guests a delightful variety of flavors and textures to enjoy. From the sweet, shell-shaped conchas to the flaky, sugar-dusted orejas, there's a type of pan dulce to satisfy every palate.
Plus, miniature pan dulces or beautifully packaged traditional pastries can serve as memorable and tasty wedding favors for guests to take home. This wedding favor is a thoughtful way to thank them for sharing on your special day.

26. Churros

“Serve warm churros on your dessert bar with dipping sauces like chocolate, caramel, and fruit purees.”
- Misty Damico, CEO & Founder, Luxe Event Productions

27. Ice Cream Sandwiches

Consider an ice cream sandwich bar with different flavors and cookies. Just make sure that ice cream stays super cold (your wedding caterer can help you with this!)

28. Hand Pies

Add a little Americana flair by serving up mini cherry and rhubarb pies on your big day. To make these mini desserts even more refreshing on a hot summer day, consider adding tubs of ice cream that guests can scoop on top of their pies.

Treat Your Guests to Something Special on Your Wedding Day

What's a better way to end your special day than a dessert table overflowing with your favorite sweet treats? The options are endless! But if you're holding a wedding in summer, these dessert ideas are a sure fit for the season and will make the day even cozier.
Find countless wedding advice and tips!SEE ADVICE & TIPS
Kellee Khalil
About The Author
Kellee Khalil is the Founder & CEO of Loverly. She lives in upstate NY with her fiancé and two dogs.
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