easy dessert table ideas · 2019-10-17 · easy dessert table ideas if you're fed up trying to...
Post on 09-Apr-2020
2 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
EASY DESSERT TABLE IDEAS
If you're fed up trying to recreate all those immaculately styled dessert tables you see
on Pinterest (and wondering why yours turn out more like a 3rd grade arts & crafts
project!), then check out the tips and suggestions below. These dessert table ideas for
birthday parties, weddings, or baby showers, can easily be recreated at home and
there's something for every type of budget.
Remember, you can also apply these decorating tips to a general buffet table, food
station, or drinks bar—you don't need to have a dedicated candy bar/dessert table.
On this page, We'll look at different ideas for the main component; the backdrop ,
along with tips and suggestions for how best to construct, support, display, or hang
this . Then, on the continuing pages, we'll look more closely at the actual food styling
and presentation .
PRINTED BACKDROPS
One of the easiest ways to create a dessert table backdrop is to buy pre -designed
artwork, which can be personalized with your choice of text, then take the digital f i le to
your local copy shop and have it printed to the size you want.
GIANT BALLOONS
These helium-fil led 36" giant balloons can be used to create a stylish dessert table
backdrop when anchored down with balloon weights, l ike in the example below left by
Amy Atlas. However, rather than arrange them in a row as she has, I think they look
better when arranged in a cluster at varying heights as in the photo below center. Just
remember to consider the background behind the balloons. Ideally you want to arrange
them in front of a plain wall or a large uncluttered window/french doors. You can pick
up confetti-filled giant balloons here.
REGULAR BALLOONS
You can also use regular ones to create more of a 'wall of balloons' style backdrop by
using different length strings when anchoring them (see photo below right). If it 's a
younger kids party, it 's fine to use multicolored balloons. However, for a more
sophisticated look you can create a nice ombre effect by arranging these in three rows
with the darkest at the bottom and the lightest at the top, as in the photo below left.
Alternatively, a single color can also look chic, and I quite l ike it when they're a rranged
loosely 'en-masse' running the entire length of the dessert table and flanking it at each
end (see photo below center for a similar effect). These look best when you
use pearlized balloons such as these.
BALLOON LETTERS / NUMBERS
Get creative with these giant number and letter balloons to spell out names, years,
words, or phrases to create a simple backdrop for dessert tables, buffet tables, and
bars. Again, you need to consider your background carefully, a plain wall works best to
ensure the words can be easily read. I also like the way they've created a background
of other smaller balloons in the photo below right—although you might want to do these
in a different color to really make the main word stand out.
FREESTANDING BACKDROP BOARDS
This 8ft x 8ft photo booth backdrop board (below left) is a handy and cost-effective
structure to use for creating dessert table backdrops. It comes with it's own leg
supports to make it freestanding, and it's the type of thing you can use again and
again. You can paint it or attach different f inishes to it, such as balloons , t issues poms,
or any of the following decoration ideas below.
CHALKBOARD
One option is to cover the backdrop board with chalkboard contact paper or chalkboard
paint, both available here. Use it to create simply hand-drawn backdrops, such as this
New York skyline, or for a milestone birthday party scribble personal messages,
greetings, and fun facts around photos of the birthday boy or gir l from different stages
of their l ife.
You could also use a chalkboard backdrop in a more practical way to identify different
food items on a buffet / dessert table, l ike in the photo below left. Alternatively, pick a
meaningful quote or song lyric, or just write the persons name(s) and date in a
decorative way.
PAPER FLOWERS
These paper f lowers can be applied to the backdrop board above to create an elegant
dessert table for a wedding or milestone birthday. You can pick up different colors and sizes
here.
These paper f lowers aren't that cheap so, depending on your budget, you might not be
able to cover an entire backdrop board. However, you can get arrangements l ike the
ones below here, measuring 4ft wide by 2ft tall, which would allow you to create a nice
display if arranged centrally on the wall behind the dessert table—or spread them out
more loosely as if they are creeping over the wall l ike ivy.
Another way to use the paper f lowers is in conjunction with another decorative
background and just have them creeping around the edges, such as in the photos
below. They work particularly well with the chalkboard background and text, or you can
create a patterned backdrop, such as the one below left, by cover the backdrop board
with decorative contact paper.
If you're on a tighter budget, you can create something similar using these tissue paper
flowers (below left), available here. I think these would work best if you use just one
color of f lower, or perhaps 80% one color and then 20% of another just as an accent
color, a bit like in the white and gold paper f lower arrangement above.
ARTIFICIAL BOXWOOD TOPIARY
Another covering you can apply to the backdrop board is this artif icial boxwood topiary
hedging. It comes in sections measuring 15" x 23", so approx 2ft x 1ft, and looks great
with a few other decorative elements added on top, such as flowers, mirrors, framed
photographs, lettering, garland banners, or even the letter balloons menti oned
previously.
3D LETTER BACKDROPS
Sometimes it's enough to just use large 3D letters, applied to a simple textured or
patterned backdrop, for your buffet / dessert table decor. You can use this to spell out
the birthday boy / girl 's name or year of birth, but I think these are often less obvious
when used to spell out simple words and phrases, such as celebrate, cheers, 50 and
Fabulous, or oh what fun!
You can get 3D letters made in lots of different f inishes, such as glitter -covered, metal
effect, or even planters to create floral letters.
Alternatively, you can also get these call igraphy stlyle name signs, which work well on
many different backgrounds, or if you have a larger budget then these marquee light
letters would make for a very dramatic dessert table backdrop.
BALLOONS
3D letters, whether glitter covered, metal, balloons, or call igraphy name signs, also
work well when combined with balloon backdrops—either as a solid wall or just corner
arrangements.
MORE BALLOON IDEAS
Other ways to use balloons include sticking them to a backdrop board in a grid shape
to give a more defined 'wall of balloons', as per the photo below left. This is a great
look for an adult birthday party and would also work well with just o ne color of balloon.
Alternatively, you can apply these adhesive vinyl letters to balloons to spell out
anything you like, see below center. Finally, if you want a t ight balloon wall f inish, as in
the photo below right, pick up some of these plastic grids, available here, which you
just insert regular balloons into before hanging on a wall / backdrop board.
DECORATIVE PAPER
Another easy way to create a dessert table backdrop is to simply cover the
freestanding backdrop board with contact paper or inexpensive peel & stick wallpaper.
This is a really cost effective option and there are lots of different f inishes available,
include various wood and brick effect, s trips and patterns, and photographic / scenic
views. I particularly l ike the picture frame design, below right, which would work really
well for a milestone birthday if you fi l led each frame with a photo of the birthday boy or
gir l from different stages of their l ife. Check out the full range here.
SUPPORT FRAME
These inexpensive photographic backdrop support frames are also a great option to
create lightweight dessert table backdrops and you can pick them up here quite
cheaply. The great thing about this support frames is that you can use it again and
again to create different backgrounds for buffet / dessert tables—or use it for photos at
your party! Just remember to blend the edges / legs by covering with balloons, tissue
poms, swags of fabric etc.
FABRIC STRIPS
Cut fabric into strips (or use r ibbon) and hang them from the support frame to create a
fabric backdrop for your dessert table. Avoid a hard candystrip effect by using several
different colors, or if only using two colors, as in the photo below center, don't
alternate the colors, instead hang them in an irregular order.
FABRIC CURTAINS
Alternatively, you can just hang fabric curtain sty le from a support frame. I particularly
l ike these glitter fabrics which work well for dessert tables—especially for adult
birthday parties. Remember that a l itt le glitter fabric goes a long way, so combine it
with a solid color tablecover to avoid it look ing tacky.
BEAD / PAPER CURTAINS
Acrylic bead curtains are an easy way to create an elegant backdrop for a dessert
table, or you can buy individual strands / beads on a roll and hang them yourself from
the support frame. Get them here.
Similarly, there are lots of paper f lower garlands, including these unusual ombre paper
circles which give a more layered look. Again, remember to think about the background
behind bead / paper f lowers. These look best against a solid color wall / fabric. If the
background behind is too busy, they will be hard to see and you'l l loose the overall
effect.
PHOTOGRAPHIC BACKDROPS
Photographic backdrops are a great way to create a more theatrical scene or add a
sense of depth to your dessert table. When choosing an image, remember that the
bottom third will probably be eclipsed by your dessert table so you need to choose one
where the important parts are in the top two thirds. For example, the dessert table
would probably only obscure some of the steps in the Cinderella -style image below left,
so this would work well. Whereas, in the graffit i image, below center, the bottom
'LOVE' would probably drop behind the dessert table. If you do find an image like this,
where some of the bottom would be obscured, check whether there is any spare space
at the top of the image that you could happily lose. If so, you could roll it up a l ittle at
the top to make the bottom part of the image more visible.
Another thing to make sure you check is the size. Some photobackdrops are quite
small, so they won't provide enough coverage to act as a backdrop for a dessert table.
Depending on the length of your table, you probably want something in the region of 8ft
x 8ft or larger. Also, these backdrops work best when you blend the hard edges with
fabric, props, or other decorations—so the image doesn't just stop at the sides—as in
the photo below right.
Check out a large range here, or some others (including the Cinderella image below
left).
STREAMERS
Another budget-fr iendly option is to use paper streamers to create a dessert table
backdrop. You can hang them or twist them, but personally I l ike the way they've
layered them at different heights in the image below center left. Alternatively, yo u can
do something similar with paper chains.
PAPER LANTERNS
Paper lanterns, when hung in a central cluster over a table, as in the photo below left,
make a very dramatic statement. If you hang them lower than normal, against a solid
color wall, you almost don't need a dessert table backdrop as they become the main
decorative feature. Alternatively, just combine them with a simple fabric or contact
paper backdrop, as in the example below right. Be sure to use either accordian style
paper lanterns (below right) or regular lanterns with free-style r ibbing inside, rather
than those with traditional parallel r ibbing. This will ensure they look decorative and
not functional. You can check them out right here.
To hang the lanterns, use these Command damage-free party ceil ing hooks. They
apply with an adhesive strips and remove easily without damage so are perfect for
hanging party decorations. You can also pop these inexpensive battery powered LED
lights inside the lanterns to give a lovely warm glowing effect (as in the example above
center). Check them out here.
Alternatively, you could arrange the lanterns in longer thin rows, running the length of
your dessert table, as per the photos below (which are hung with the Command party
ceil ing hooks, although I would recommend using some sort of invisible thread). Again,
I would suggest lett ing these hang down lower than normal and fil l ing the gap between
the bottom of the lanterns and the top of the dessert table foods with some sort of
signage/banner, such as the call igraphy name signs or glitter letters mentioned
previously. Arrange these components so there isn't too much empty space between
them—a bit l ike in the photo below right, if we assume the dessert table foods are just
a few inches below the Congrats banner. Snug, not windy.
FOOD STATION / BUFFET TABLE IDEAS
Ok so I've got to tell you...buffet tables are over. They're old fashioned, sloppy, and
bring to mind those nasty 'all you can eat' restaurant spreads where the food has been
sitt ing there all day. Nowadays, for event professionals, it 's all about creating food
stations.
Food stations sti l l enable you to feed large numbers, lay on a range of different
dishes—so there's something for everyone, and keep everything relaxed and informal
enough so as not to kill the party mood. The difference is that you get to wow guests
with the elegant and creative presentation that comes with plated dishes, and the food
station becomes a focal point in the room to center all your party decorations around.
With tradit ional buffet tables people tend to go a bit crazy and pile on the food, working
their way along the entire table and taking far more than they'l l actually eat, so you
always need to prepare such huge amounts—so much of which gets wasted. With food
stations, everything is geared towards offering small plates, DIY options, and 'bites'—
l ike a tasting menu—which can help keep costs down. What you find is that people pick
and try a few things, then go back to mingling (rather than shuffl ing off to a corner to
demolish a huge plate of food!), so it helps keeps the party atmosphere going.
The only downside is that you can't just plonk b ig bowls of food on a table— it requires
a l itt le more thought and effort. Often, you're sti l l serving the same types of food as
you would on a tradit ional buffet table, but you're just presenting them differently. Just
follow my simple food styling and presentation tips below and you'l l have everyone
thinking that your party has be professionally catered!
THE 80 / 20 RULE
When creating a food station at home, instead of a tradit ional buffet table, I would
suggest going for approx 80% cold food and 20% hot, to make it easier on yourself. For
the 20% hot food, I recommend setting up a DIY station so guest can assemble things
themselves. This could be a hot dog, burger, mac & cheese (below right), baked
potato, taco, burrito, or mash potato (below left) bar with a selection of toppings, or
something like a 'make your own grilled cheese' where you set up an electric panini
press or toaster for guests to do it themselves. These interactive food bars take the
pressure off the host while providing an experience for the guests.
FOOD PRESENTATION
For the 80% cold food, it's easy to make even simple party food—such as chicken
skewers, pasta, or salads— look amazing by serving items in individual portions. You
can stil l batch-make everything in advance, then just before guests arrive, spend a
litt le time dividing everything into small plates, bowls, and shooters.
When it comes to displaying the food, the reason most buffet tables / food stations at
professionally catered events look so stylish is because they abide by a few simple
rules; Groups, Rows, and Levels.
GROUPS
If you look closely at the photos below you'll notice that the menu is presented in
groups; that is, only one type of food per serving plate. It's a simple rule but it instantly
gives the buffet table / food station a clean, defined, well -ordered look.
ROWS
Then, on each serving plate, food is presented in individual containers or with
individual utensils, and arranged in rows. Not only does this give i t a modern,
professional look, it also helps with portion control as people are more likely to take
just one of each item.
LEVELS
Finally, make use of different levels. Buffet tables / food stations look terr ible if
everything lies f lat on the table, so make sure to add some height to your display with
a mixture of f lat plates, cake stands, and risers.
SHOOTER GLASSES
When it comes to presenting each food item, make use of a few different disposable
tasting party containers (check out the full range here). Shooter glasses (below left) in
particular are extremely versatile. Whereas you might ordinarily serve things like
chicken skewers piled up on a plate, by serving them in individual shooters with a l it t le
dipping sauce in the bottom, they instantly look more interesting. Similarly, instead of
big bowls of cold pasta salad, skewer a few store -bought cheese-stuffed tortell inis and
serve them in shooters with a l itt le pesto.
Of course, shooters are also perfect for mini desserts. Even the most simple mou sse
recipes and jello desserts look great served in individual portions, or if you have a bit
more time you can get creative with layered fruit cocktails and cheesecakes .
TASTING CUPS
These square plastic tasting cups, available in clear, white, or bl ack, are also perfect
for any number of snacks, salads, and dips. Check them out here.
You can also get more creative with salads, such as this chil led sesame salmon, rice,
and avocado salad (below left), or just use them for mousses, fruit cups, or even
individual cups of anti-pasti.
TASTING SPOONS
Another option is to serve bite size items on elegant serving spoons— these look great
when presented in rows. Check them out here.
LIKE IT?
If you've enjoyed these dessert table ideas , please help me to promote my website
by sharing my website HallGEMs.com to your friends and family!
Many thanks
top related