i’m matt james

professional event producer

  • 27 years event-planning experience
  • Winner of 30 industry awards
  • Clients include:
  • Elton John,
  • Stella McCartney,
  • Sarah Jessica Parker,
  • Kevin Spacey……and more

welcome

Matt James professional event planner
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advice from a pro

dessert table display ideas

  • The reason dessert tables styled by professional party planners look so stylish is they abide by three simple rules;
  • Groups: group treats together; one type per serving tray for a clean, defined, well-ordered look.
  • Rows: on each serving plate, arrange treats in rows to lend a modern, professional appearance.
  • Levels: display treats on a least three different levels using a mix of flat plates, risers, and stands to prolong exploration with the eyes.
  • The most important of these―by far―is levels.
  • Height, or more specifically, varying degrees of height, are essential to a well-designed dessert table.
  • A dessert table display should be a visual spectacle;
  • you want guests to explore with their eyes and discover all the treats and details that have gone into the presentation.
  • Adding different heights and levels makes the eye work just a little bit harder to scan the table and try to take everything in,
  • which adds to the sense of discovery and surprise.
  • If serving trays are just laid out on the tabletop, the display looks flat, lifeless, underwhelming, and a little amateurish.
  • I always try to display treats on at least three different levels using a mix of flat plates, risers, and stands.
  • You should position your tallest display stands at the back or create an entire raised back row using risers.
  • If your budget won’t stretch to risers, use boxes wrapped in fabric or gift wrap that matches your decor / color scheme.
  • Then think of your dessert table display as cascading levels,
  • running from the back to the front of the table,
  • to create a minimum of three different height levels.
  • Check out some of the creative display stands, props, and risers below for more ideas.
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the idea

donut walls

Make a feature of decorated treats so that they contribute to the overall presentation of your dessert table with these donut wall display stands

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donuts arranged on a donut wall display stand
the idea

donut stands

Lend visual flair to ‘everyday’ donuts / bagels by stacking vertically on tower-style donut stands or use them to feed large numbers with a donut bar

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donuts stacked vertically on donut stands at a party donut bar
the idea

macaron stands

Add some drama and height to your dessert table display with a spectacular and photo-worthy macaron tower stand

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a macaron tower display stand on a party dessert table
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fillable acrylic letters

Make regular store-bought candy look more special by using these fillable acrylic letters and numbers to spell out names, phrases, or ages

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letter G acrylic display container filled with colorful candy
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cake pop walls

Create a visual spectacle that contributes to your party decor with these stylish cake pop walls

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cake pops arranged in rows on a cake pop wall display stand
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Matt James professional event planner
the idea

cake pop stands

Prevent your dessert table looking flat, lifeless, and underwhelming by adding height with these cake pop stands

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cake pops arranged vertically on a tiered display stand
the idea

fillable letter boxes

Turn smaller treats into a larger display by spelling out names, ages, words, or phrases with these fillable letter and number boxes / trays

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letter M shaped treat box filled with chocolates
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skewer stands

Turn fruit or candy kabobs into a decorative feature by displaying them vertically with these skewer holder stands

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fruit kabobs arranged vertically in a wooden skewer display stand
the idea

pretzel wall stands

Make an eye-catching feature of everyday pretzels with these stylish pretzel wall display stands

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pretzels arranged on a pretzel wall display stand at a party
the idea

cakesicle stands

Show off the decoration of your cakesicles and add some height by displaying them vertically on cakesicle stands

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cakesicles standing vertically on a cakesicle display stand
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treat cone stands

Control portion size and prevent spills by serving expensive treats, fruit, popcorn, or candy using treat cone stands for guests to ‘grab and go’

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'Treat Yourself' treat cone display stand
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tiered treat stands

Create a bold dessert table centerpiece or feature with these decorative tiered treat stands

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hexagon shaped tiered treat stand filled with desserts and treats on a wedding dessert table
the idea

tiered serving trays

Prevent your dessert table looking flat and under-whelming by adding varying levels of height with these tiered serving trays

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party food treats arranged on a tiered serving tray display stand at a pool party
the idea

acrylic stands & risers

Add height to your dessert table and give it a modern, professional look by displaying treats on acrylic food stands and risers

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dessert table treats displayed on acrylic food stands and risers
the idea

wood food risers

For a natural or rustic look, use wood food risers and stands to showcase smaller treats and add height to your dessert table display

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cupcakes arranged on a tiered wood riser display stand at an outdoor event
the idea

apothecary jars

Add a touch of vintage candy store nostalgia to your dessert table display by filling apothecary jars with colorful treats and candies

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the idea

premium disposable plates / trays

Arrange treats in groups and rows on premium disposable plates / trays for a elegant, modern, and professional look

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food arranged in rows served on black and white premium disposable plates
related post

dessert table presentation

Hit the ‘Read More’ button below to check out my separate page of dessert table presentation, serving trays, containers, and food styling tips.

fruit salad served in clear disposable mini dessert cups
cheese bites served on individual tasting forks standing upright
macarons with dessert sauce served in individual disposable food pipettes
milk served in individual milk bottles with a donut and straw
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