How sweet it is to be loved by you

You looove dessert…you have a limited wedding budget…and you want a memorable way to celebrate your marriage.  How?  Consider ‘dessert, tapas-style’ - a mid afternoon or late evening all-dessert reception allowing the bride and groom to share the sweetest things that love and life can offer…

The Show-Stopper: A fabulous wedding cake must be the pièce de résistence of an all-dessert reception.  Count on a buffet portion per person and use this as an opportunity to “Wow!” your guests with the look and flavour(s) of the cake.  You can also dress up a simple vanilla butter cake by offering a variety of coulis (raspberry, mango and passion fruit are lovely) or a silky sabayon on the side.

Cookielove: Comforting, versatile and elegant, the appeal of cookies is universal.  Serve cookies influenced by your heritage, created from family recipes, or encourage guests to tread the globe.  Undoubtedly, everyone will find a favorite: Italian biscotti, Mexican wedding cookies, Scottish shortbread, or French almond macaroons – the possibilities are endless.

The Candy Spot: Ideal for kids and “kids at heart” – set up clear glass vases and canisters filled with colorful candies and confections including gourmet jelly beans, cinnamon hearts, gummies, peppermints, lollipops, brittles and nougats.  Provide cellophane bags and candy scoops for guests to help themselves.

Angel Food:  Serve white and airy desserts at this table – try vanilla cupcakes with almond swiss meringue buttercream, bite size mint-scented meringues, cream filled éclairs dusted with powdered sugar and mini white chocolate chiffon cheesecakes.

Devil’s Food:  Serve only milk and dark chocolates.  Allow guests to sample various chocolates from around the world, mini devil’s food cupcakes with mocha swiss meringue buttercream, dense fudge brownies, icewine infused truffles and creamy old-fashioned pudding in edible chocolate cups.

Be Tarty: Rustic or classy, the buttery crisp crust and delectable fillings of tarts are irresistible.  For spring and summer let guests indulge in mini almond crust tartlets filled with pastry cream and topped with a mountain of fresh berries and figs.  In cooler temperatures consider honeyed roasted apples or pears.  Seasonless pleasers include pecan butter tarts and mini lemon meringue tarts.

As accompaniments, serve your guests fresh seasonal fruit and a variety of beverages including champagne, gourmet coffees and teas.  Extend the sweetness of your celebration by providing pretty boxes and bags for take-away treats.

*Special thank-you to Katie Di Tomaso and Salvina D’Amico for their creative contribution to this piece!