Sweets for Your Sweetie: Dessert Trends for 2010

Sure, the entrees and drinks at your celebration should be amazing, but don't forget about those scrumptious desserts! Wedding trends for the past few years have been all about incorporating more personality and escaping from the norm, and sweets are no exception. Here are a few ideas to give your desserts some pizzaz:

1. Add some variety. She wants cheesecake and apple pie, he wants tiramisu. Many couples are opting for many different desserts served beautifully on tiered stands. Or go for a pastry table and get a little bit of everything! This could be great for your budget, since it can be far cheaper than the usual elaborate wedding cake.

2. Rent-a-cake. Want a fancier cake than your budget allows? Want a daring cake with balanced tiers and impossible angles? Consider renting one! Rented cakes are made of styrofoam and plastic, so they won't melt, won't droop, and they'll look perfect all night long. A secret compartment in the back holds enough cake for the traditional cake-cutting ceremony, and once they wheel away your rented cake, your guests are served sheet cake in any flavor and filling you want. It's cheap, it's realistic, and you can even design your cake yourself.

3. Everybody loves cupcakes! Long ago, the traditional wedding cake was an arranged pile of small sweet cakes. So, why not revive this tradition and have cupcakes at your wedding? Whether you have a full-sized cake shaped like a giant cupcake, a host of cupcakes on decorated wire racks, or a custom tier stand for your little sweets, it will be memorable and beautiful.

4. Goodbye Stations. Giving your guests a nice little parting gift is one of this year's hottest trends, and for good reason. Set up a gorgeous self-serve candy station in your wedding colors, complete with pretty ribbon apothecary jars and flowers, or pick a treat that has special meaning for the season or your relationship. Put out some donuts in cute cellophane bags, festive candy apples, personalized lollipops, or for an October wedding, some of your favorite Halloween candy! Be creative, and your guests will love you for it.

5. Edible Favors. Instead of going the usual picture frame or candle route for your table favors, how about giving your guests something sweet? Chocolate is the obvious choice, but you can also pick a specific candy, cookie, or pastry that means something to you as a couple. Love Oreos? Set out some chocolate-covered cookies at each place! Having a beach wedding? How about Salt Water Taffy or sea salt chocolates? You can even have your menus or place cards made out of molded chocolate!

Whatever you decide to do, putting a little personality into your desserts can make a sweet day even sweeter.