29 Fun Wedding Cake Alternatives That Could Save You Money

If you are bored of standard three-tier iced wedding cakes or naked cakes, I hear you. Looking for an alternative cake idea for your wedding is a great idea. Not only can thinking outside of the box save you money, but your day will be all the more unique.

Photo: State of Love and Trust via Neon Sign Wedding Ideas Cakes: Cherry Blossom Cakes

 

However, if you are struggling to find real wedding cake ideas that break the norm, don’t worry. I have you covered. All of these gorgeous treats are from real weddings or editorial shoots I’ve featured. So you can see how gorgeous different ideas can look, despite them being a wedding cake alternative.

Showstopping Iced Sponge Wedding Cake Alternatives

Are you ready to divulge in all the delicious treats? Yep me too.

🧁 But before we begin, allow me to share a quick round-up of all the cake inspo (which you can click to jump down) you are about to see:

Sound good? I know right, I’m hungry already. Let’s take a look at these special treats all decorated and beautiful at weddings.

1. Doughnut Wall or Tower

A firm fave for the past few years has been the humble doughnut. But fret not, because you can totally elevate doughnuts into the ultimate wedding cake come dessert. Indulge in decadent flavours, stack them high and allow guests to help themselves.

Photo: Rebecca Carpenter Photography via Hoop Decor Wedding Ideas

 

2. Brownie Stack

Brownies are always a popular sweet treat, but they also make for a great, cheap wedding cake alternative. Tower them, add dripping sauce, fruits, icing sugar and a cake topper for an extra wow factor. They can also make for the perfect DIY cake and could be made in advance. Win win.

Photo: Kirsty Mackenzie via Rustic Outdoor Summer Wedding

 

3. Cheese Tower

If you don’t have a sweet tooth, savoury cheese wedding cakes may be for you. They have been growing in popularity, so much so, that many couples go for one sweet, one savoury cake as an alternative. Add fruit, crackers and chutneys for a really special plateful.

Photo: Lola Rose Photography via Bonfires Autumn Wedding Ideas Cake: The Cheese Plate

 

4. Pork Pie Cake

Another savoury alternative you may not have considered is a pork pie cake. One for the meat-eaters, this cake is sure to make hungry eyes water. Condiments are a must-have.

Photo: Photography34 via Rustic Relaxed Farm Wedding Cake: Glaves Butchers

 

5. Caterpillar Cake

Lots of couples have enjoyed M&Ss famous Colin and Connie caterpillar cakes. A cute, fun and inexpensive wedding cake option.

Photo: Jonny Barratt Photography via Fun Joyous Entertaining Wedding Cake: M&S

 

6. Cupcake Tower

For the perfect mouthful, no need for perfectly cut portions, have you considered cupcakes? You can add them to a cake stand or sit them on trays for a gorgeous look.

Photo: Irene Yap via Spring London Wedding Cake: Katja’s Cakes

 

7. Profiteroles Stack

If you and your guests are fans of dessert, profiteroles will be the perfect, sticky, sweet afters to your meal. A dessert and cake in one, they are the perfect budget wedding idea.

Photo: Emily and Steve Photography via Hampshire Woodland Wedding

 

8. Croquembouche

The French delicacy, croquembouches sure to make a statement. For that walk-in-the-room wow factor you may be looking for. No sponge in sight.

Photo: Andrew Brannan Photography via Fun University Wedding Cake: Le Papillon Patisserie

 

9. Ferrero Rocher Tower

This is one easy to assemble, cheap to make and can be made in advance alternative cake idea. Watch your loved one’s eyes light up.

Photo Kerry Ann Duffy  via Champagne Luxe Wedding

 

10. Macaron Stack

Another feast for the eyes, the macaron is delicate, light and oh so sweet. Available in so many colours and flavours, guests can pick and choose their favourites.

Photo: Lucy Long Photography via Hothorpe Hall Woodlands Wedding Cake: Compton and Kennedy

 

11. Gingerbread House

If you are planning a festive wedding, or just love ginger. Then how about a beautifully iced gingerbread house?

Photo: Beans On Toast For Two via Afternoon Tea Wedding

 

12. Cookie Layer

The great thing with cookies is not only the number of flavour combinations available but they can also come super-size. This is ideal for a cookie layer cake, easy to bake (or buy) and squidged between soft gooey buttercream, this is one finger-licking cake alternative.

Photo: Tasmin May Photography  via Crown Lodge Wedding Cake: @chefdave_82

 

13. Millefoglie Cake

Light and airy puff pastry layers, sandwiched with Chantilly cream and berries, Millefoglie is a traditional Italian wedding cake which means a thousand layers. Perfect for afters too, yum.

Photo: L’Ordine della Giarrettiera via Villa Del Grumello Wedding Cake:Alfonso Muzzi

 

14. Rocky Road Traybake

Is there anything easier than whipping up a tray bake? Especially a rocky road recipe that may not actually need baking. Less time, usually equals a cost-saving, plus let’s face it, who doesn’t love rocky road?

Photo: Emily + Katy Photography via Creative Village Hall Wedding

 

15. Rice Crispy Cake

If you are a fan of the childhood classic rice crispy cake this one is for you. Create a mould, pour in your rice puffs and chocolate before decorating to perfection. Alternative wedding cake, done.

Photo: Louise Adby Photography via Garden Marquee Wedding

 

16. Tiers Of Bundt

The bundt cake comes from the meaning of a gathering cake and if a wedding isn’t the perfect time for one, I don’t know when is. Keep decoration simple and let the sponge do all the talking.

Photo: Paul and Tim Photographers via Eclectic Wedding Cake: @bakemydayee

 

17. Scone Stack

For the afternoon tea lovers out there, how about a scone cake tower? Create sweet or savour scones and don’t forget the cream and jam. But no arguing about which order to put them in, please.

Photo: Sally T Photography via Bright Wedding Cake: Boo to a Goose

 

18. Pancake Tower

Pancakes en mass layered with cream, sauce and fruit will make for a really decadent wedding cake alternative.

Photo: Carey Sheffield via Ethereal Woodland Wedding Ideas Cake: Delicieux Cakes

 

19. Chocolate Strawberry Tower

If your wedding is in strawberry season, you are in luck. Hit your local pick-your-own fruit farm, stock up on strawberries and coat them in chocolate. Was there ever a more genius cake idea?

Photo: Sally T Photography  via Wrays Barn Whinstone View Wedding

 

20. Welsh Cake Tower

Delicious and traditional Welsh cakes can be baked in advance and decorated with icing sugar for a real treat on your wedding day.

Photo: Sam Gibson Photography via Outdoorsy Farm Wedding

 

21. Cake Pops

Cake pops have really been popular over the past few years now and it’s easy to see why. They are easy to hold and nibble, they look fantastic and can be totally personalised too.

Photo: Kat Mervyn via Whimsical Boho Woodland Wedding Cake: Little Treats NI

 

22. Kransekake

Kransekake is a traditional Norwegian and Danish wedding cake, which is actually flourless and made of almonds. If you are looking for a gluten-free option, this could be just perfect.

Photo: Bowtie and Belle Photography via Highcliffe Castle Wedding

 

23. Dessert Table

Why would you have one cake, when you could have lots? If you can’t choose between sponge and cake pops or brownies and cupcakes, have them all! A great alternative to one tiered cake.

Photo: AW Wedding Photography via Tiki Wedding Dessert: Rhubarb and Cream Catering

 

24. Meringue Kisses

How pretty do meringue kisses look? All colourful and flavoursome, perfect for a different wedding cake style.

Photo: Charlotte Hu Photography via Yew Tree Lakes Wedding Meringue: Meringue Girls

 

25. Cheesecake

For pudding lovers, a sweet cheesecake is an opulent and unique wedding cake idea.

Photo Photos By Zoe via Rainy Personal Barn Wedding

 

26. Baklava

These layered pastry Baklava bites are sure to delight and look great stacked on a cake stand.

Photo: Babb Photo via Wedding One Whitehall Place

 

27. Sweet Pies

Can’t get enough of pie? How about individual sweet pies for your guests to savour?

Photo: BG Productions Photography and Videography via Chinese Tea Ceremony Wedding Pies: Pie Sisters

 

28. Jelly

For a super original wedding cake, look no further than jelly. Amazing, intricate designs are sure to be a showstopper.

Photo: OEIL via Masked Ball Wedding Jelly: Bompas and Parr http://www.jellymongers.co.uk

 

29. Pavlova

Goey, sticky and sweet, a pavlova cake is ideal for summer weddings complete with seasonal berries.

Photo: Delicious Photography via Garden Party Wedding

 

✨ Do you need a wedding cake at a wedding?

Absolutely not, you don’t need a cake at a wedding. It’s completely up to the couple as to whether they would like a wedding cake.

If you don’t like cake, have a tight budget or just aren’t fussed by tradition you are certainly able to scrap having one. Never feel pressured to have anything you feel you should have at your wedding. It’s your day, so you do you.

 

Further Reading

• 51 Wedding Cake Stand Ideas