Serve something other than cake with the help of these alternative (and delicious) dessert ideas.
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Who says you have to serve cake at your wedding? Who says you have to serve just cake? Whether you and your future husband or wife don't like the traditional dessert at all or you're looking to supplement it with other delicious sweets, consider serving cake's close cousin—pie—at your celebration. Not only is the treat a unique option, but it comes in so many different flavors, you're bound to find one (or more) that you'll love. In fact, we've rounded up a list of some of our favorite types, plus a few creative ways to display them at your reception.
Common classics include apple pie and pecan pie, the latter of which is shown here. This couple served the tasty Otium dessert alongside a quirky sign that read, "I only have pies for you"—how cute. For something tangy, try lemon meringue pie; for something fun, try whoopie pies—both of which appear ahead. No matter your favorite fruit or other filling, there's something that'll satisfy your sweet tooth in our roundup.
It's not just about flavor, though. We've also highlighted ideas for how to serve the dessert(s). While regular ol' pies are perfectly acceptable for your event, you can also offer individual pies, pie pops, or even pie wedding favors. Pies can be displayed on stands or tables, just like cakes, or you can commit to a full pie bar or station, where guests can choose from an assortment. No matter what flavor you pick or how you choose to display pies for guests, we're certain there won't be a single slice left at the end of the night.
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Individual Pies
If you're feeling generous, have a mini pie waiting at each guests' place setting! These ones were baked by Poppies & Posies.
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Earl Gray Pie
How's this for a unique flavor? This couple served up earl gray pie from Polly's Pies.
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The Bride's Pies
This bride, a professional baker, personalized her wedding with a custom dessert station featuring her own pies. "Those pies are a big part of me," she shared. "It was my first apple pie that made me realize I should go to pastry school."
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Wrapped Pie Favors
Southern pecan, brown sugar buttermilk, Carter Mountain apple, mixed berry, and creamy lime were just some of the Paradox Pastry pie flavors guests could take home from this celebration.
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Southern Pecan Pie
If you're from the South, you'll appreciate this wedding's regional Buttermilk Sky Pie dessert.
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Assorted Pie Pops
These individual Hello Sweetie Pies pie pops were absolutely adorable. On top of that, we bet they were easy to eat on the move. Your guests won't even have to leave the dance floor.
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Pies on a Rustic Display
This celebration's rustic dessert table featured a vintage pie sign and—you guessed it—Upper Crust Bakery pies.
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Small Pies with Hearts
These mini Simply Marvelous BBQ pies had itty bitty hearts.
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Pies on Pies
This tasty assortment, by Whole Lotta Yum, featured mini desserts on towers plus regular pies in tins.
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Lemon Meringue Pie
This scrumptious lemon meringue pie tied right in with the rest of this event's yellow color scheme.
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Pie Bar
These Alex Belew Catering pies were part of a full pie bar at this wedding.
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Pie with Custom Topper
It was all in the family when it came to these desserts. Relatives made all the wedding's pies, including this one adorned with a topper the groom, Daniel Heard, illustrated.
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Trio of Pies
Instead of a cake table, have a pie table. This Diane's Bakery Cafe trio proved the more desserts, the merrier.
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Pies on a Truck
These decadent Royers Pie Haven desserts were displayed on the bed of a pickup truck—how fun.
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Homemade Pies
This bride's family made over 30 different pies including blueberry cream and pecan.
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Little Fruit Pies
This couple chose to serve mini Dessertier pies in three flavors: peach raspberry, strawberry rhubarb, and apple berry. Because everything tastes better in mini form.
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Monogrammed Peach Pie
This bride's loved ones made pies for her wedding, too, including this peach pie with the couple's new shared initial baked into the crust. "It felt so Southern to have the ladies who played an important role in my life contribute in such a special way," she shared.
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Assorted Whoopie Pies
Mini red velvet, chocolate, and vanilla whoopie pies were served at this wedding as one of the many Walton's Fancy and Staple desserts up for grabs.
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Mini Key Lime Pies
These mini key lime pies, also by Walton's Fancy and Staple, fit in perfectly with the couple's green color palette.
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Gluten-Free Pies
This bride honored her late father with strawberry rhubarb pie (his favorite). The couple also served the groom's favorite, cherry. In addition, Paws Up made a few gluten-free pies for the gluten-free bride.
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Wedding Pies from a Favorite Restaurant
Jimmy's Grille (a family-run restaurant the bride has loved for years) baked this event's pies.
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