Wedding cakes are a long-standing wedding tradition. In fact, historians think they date all the way back to ancient Rome when it was a ritual for a groom to smash a barley cake over his bride’s head.
But for wedding couples who are looking to personalize their receptions and want to opt for more local flavors when it comes time for dessert, destination venues around the world have options.
From tart key lime pie made with the famed Florida Keys citrus to a celebratory tiramisu in Venice, Italy, here’s several ways that newlyweds can start their marriage off on a sweet note.
New Orleans: Galette des Rois
Couples hosting weddings at The Eliza Jane, a stylish New Orleans hotel with a lush courtyard, can elevate their celebration by swapping out a traditional wedding cake for a stunning Galette des Rois. Or they can offer the sweet treat during cocktail hour alongside appetizers. For those yet to try this dessert, imagine buttery, flaky puff pastry enveloping frangipane, which is a decadent creamy almond filling.
The Galette des Rois arrived in Louisiana with French settlers and was traditionally eaten to celebrate Epiphany, which today marks the start of Carnival Season. Over time, the more colorful brioche-style King Cake has become popular during Carnival season, and the Galette des Rois remains a more refined, elegant option for those looking for a celebratory treat with a NOLA flair.
Florida Keys: Key Lime Pie
The Key Lime Pie at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa combines the tangy sweetness of fresh key lime juice, the buttery texture of a cashew crust and the creamy richness of vanilla bean whipped cream. To accompany this iconic Florida Keys dessert are seasonal tropical fruits, which are glazed and lightly torched to deliver a touch of sweet citrus.
Couples who want to incorporate key lime pies into their weddings at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, a private island resort on Little Torch Key in the Florida Keys, can do so in several ways. The Key Lime Pie Tower is a display that can be presented at the end of the rehearsal dinner. Pie slices are stacked and then served to guests with a dollop of whipped cream. Guests can also opt for glazed fruit sauce reductions like guava, mango, pineapple or passion Fruit. It’s a wildly popular and interactive experience.
Weddings at the resort are frequently full property rentals, bringing friends and families together leading up to the celebration. Past wedding parties have treated their guests to frozen key lime pie on a stick on beach and pool days.
Some wedding couples have chosen a delightful in-room amenity for their guests, with the key lime pie minibar jar a popular pick. The talented on-island pastry chef prepares this layered confection in a beautiful, sealed jar and places them in the guest's minibar refrigerator so they are perfectly chilled upon arrival.
Munich, Germany: Custom Chocolate
"We use some of the world’s finest, rarest and sustainable chocolates to create unforgettable wedding moments,” says Ian Baker, the Chef Pâtissier at Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich.
Wedding guests are amazed by the desserts prepared for their special day, from bonbons to miniature pastries to a decadent wedding cake made with layers of chocolate cream and ganache that can be paired with fruits and nuts.
Riviera Maya, Mexico: Chili-Chocolate Mousse
Tucked in the heart of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, surrounded by lush mangroves and tranquil waterways and fronting the Caribbean Sea, Banyan Tree Mayakoba is an idyllic destination for both weddings and honeymoons.
The Yucatán Peninsula, home to the ancient Maya civilization, boasts many of Mexico's most significant archaeological sites. Cacao, sacred to the Maya and the source of chocolate, continues to be revered and celebrated to this day.
For weddings at Banyan Tree Mayakoba, a silky chili-chocolate mousse is a signature dessert. Crafted with rich cacao and a hint of warm cinnamon, this dessert features a velvety texture with a delicate spice. It honors the region's heritage, where cacao is celebrated as a symbol of romance. Paired with artisanal coffee, the mousse makes for a perfect indulgence.
Hawaii: Malasadas
A trip to Hawaii isn’t complete without some famous island treats like macadamia nuts and shaved ice. But have you ever tried malasadas? These tasty, deep-fried treats which are likened to doughnuts (but without the holes) were brought to Hawaii by the Portuguese.
At the oceanfront Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows on Maui, wedding guests can have these golden-brown, sugar-dusted malasadas served to their guests. The treats can be customized with ground cinnamon or filled with different flavors like strawberry, caramel, buttercream, or lilikoi (passionfruit).
Venice, Italy: Tiramisu
You may know tiramisu as Italy’s cherished coffee-flavored dessert. But did you know it’s also a symbol of indulgence and tradition? Many believe it was first created in the Veneto region in the 1960s and the name tiramisu translates to “pick me up,” a reference to the energizing combination of espresso, mascarpone and cocoa.
Wedding guests at San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice who are looking for an Italian spin on the desert portion of the evening can opt for espresso-soaked ladyfingers served with a rich mascarpone and dusted with cocoa powder.
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