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
CONTENTS

ON THIS PAGE

01 symmetrical v asymmetrical layouts

The pros and cons of choosing a symmetrical or asymmetrical dessert table layout

a symmetrical dessert table layout
a symmetrical dessert table layout
an asymmetrical dessert table layout
an asymmetrical dessert table layout

02 Groups, rows, and levels

Learn the 3 simple rules professionals use when designing a dessert table layout

dessert table treats arranged in groups; one type of dessert per serving tray
desserts served in shooter glasses and mini dessert cups arranged in rows on a party dessert table
donuts arranged on a donut wall display stand on a party dessert table
chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla milk served in individual shooter glasses with a cookie and straw on a party dessert table

03 arranging your desserts

A step-by-step guide to arranging your dessert table treats

a modern dessert table arrangement with serving plates arranged in rows
dessert table treats arranged in rows
a modern dessert table arrangement with serving plates arranged in rows
a modern dessert table arrangement with serving plates arranged in rows
in this section

01 symmetrical v asymmetrical

summary
  • Dessert table layouts are either symmetrical or asymmetrical.
  • A symmetrical design is all about structure and balance, where each end of the dessert table mirrors the other with the same treats and presentation.
  • An asymmetrical design is more relaxed and fluid, with different treats, serving containers, and display stands spread out over the entire table.
  • Before choosing your layout, use the expected number of guests and size of room to determine the best table configuration first; one way, double-ended, or ‘in the round’.
  • See my dessert table set-up page to learn about table configurations.
  • Then let that decision inform your choice of layout; symmetrical or asymmetrical.
  • Pros of a symmetrical layout are: easier to design, best for large numbers, can help with portion control, and creates strong visual impact.
  • Cons of a symmetrical layout are: appears smaller, requires double the equipment, less inviting, and reduces exploration and discovery.
  • Pros of an asymmetrical layout are: appears larger, helps manage flow, disguises fewer options, less restrictive, encourages exploration and discovery, and creates a more real inviting, and homemade look.
  • Cons of an asymmetrical layout are: less portion control, harder to design, and worse for large numbers.
  • My personal preference is for an asymmetrical layout. Events are about providing guests with an experience, so this prolongs the feelings of exploration, discovery, and surprise.
  • You can always combine the two; mirror the same serving containers and display stands on each end, but with different treats
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MATT’S TIPs

Matt James professional event planner
the idea

symmetrical layout

A symmetrical design is all about structure and balance, where each end of the dessert table mirrors the other.

Typically, this involves displaying the same treats, serving containers, trays, jars, risers, and stands, in the same positions and at the same heights, on both ends of the table.

So, if you had 20 cupcakes total, you’d display 10 on a serving plate on the left-hand end of the table and the remaining 10 on an identical serving plate in the same position on the right-hand end.

Check out this great example of a symmetrical dessert table layout by Anne Powers of A Party Style.

a green and white symmetrical dessert table layout for a party
See more pics of this dessert table here
the idea

asymmetrical layout

An asymmetrical design is more relaxed and fluid, with different treats, serving containers, plates, jars, risers, and stands spread out over the entire table.

If you have a larger amount of certain treats, you can still divide them over several plates spread around the table.

But there’s no need to balance everything equally, use the same serving plates and display stands, or position everything in the same place at each end.

asymmetrical dessert table layout
ADVICE FROM A PRO

matt’s tip

  • Use the expected number of guests and size of room to determine the best table configuration first; one way, double-ended, or ‘in the round’.
  • Then let that decision inform your choice of dessert table layout; symmetrical or asymmetrical, as some are more suited to one than the other.
  • For example, if you have 30-100 guests, a double-ended configuration with a symmetrical layout works best as it allows twice the amount of people to visit the dessert table at once; reducing lines and congestion.
  • For more info on this, check out my Dessert Table Set-Up page.
Matt James professional event planner
the idea

pros of a symmetrical layout

  • Visual impact: creates a stylish, orderly, and modern display.
  • Best for large numbers: for 30+ guests a double-ended table configuration with a symmetrical layout will allow twice the number of guests to serve themselves at same time.
  • Easier to design: just divide everything in half, work from center out, and mirror the same layout each end.
  • Assists portion control: guests can see all options more easily and choose accordingly; they don’t need to ‘explore’ the full length of table, loading up their plate as they go!
a white symmetrical dessert table layout for a wedding
See more like this offered by the talented B Sweet Designs (Buffalo, New York)
the idea

cons of a symmetrical layout

  • Appears smaller: splitting table into two smaller identical displays can make it seem less generous; highlighting lack of options or variety and drawing attention to any cost-cutting methods.
  • Duplicate equipment: requires at least two of every serving container, tray, jar, riser, or display stand. Everything needs to match to create a strong visual.
  • Less discovery: reduces the feeling of exploration and sense of discovery as guests don’t need to work their way along the table taking everything in.
  • Less inviting: can appear ‘over-styled’ or too perfect, as if for a photo-shoot rather than a party, making guests reluctant to ‘dig in’ through fear of ruing the display.
a white symmetrical dessert table layout for a party
See more like this offered by the talented B Sweet Designs (Buffalo, New York)
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Matt James professional event planner
the idea

pros of an asymmetrical layout

  • Natural look: creates a more natural, relaxed, rustic, homemade, inviting, or ‘real’ display.
  • Helps manages flow: for small spaces or medium-to-large numbers (up to 50), the one-way system implied by an asymmetric layout helps manage people flow, reduce lines, and avoid congestion
  • Appears larger: makes the display feel larger, more lavish, with more options and variety; a feast for the eyes!
  • Hides fewer options: treats are more dispersed so can help disguise if you have fewer of certain (more expensive) items.
  • More exploration: guests get to explore the full length of the table and continue to discover new treats as they go.
  • Less restrictive: few ‘rules’ to follow when arranging and freedom to use different display stands and serving trays.
asymmetrical dessert table layout at a jungle themed party for kids
the idea

cons of an asymmetrical layout

  • Less portion control: guests tend to choose desserts as they move along the table, which sometimes leads to them taking more than if presented with all options at once.
  • Harder to design: despite having less ‘rules’, it’s often harder to achieve a well-designed, balanced, dessert table layout.
  • Worse for large numbers: for 30-100 guests, the one-way system implied by an asymmetrical layout can cause lines at the beginning and reduce the number of guests that can serve themselves at once.
an asymmetrical dessert table layout for a kid's circus themed birthday party
ADVICE FROM A PRO

matt’s tip

  • Personally, I prefer an asymmetrical layout.
  • Events are all about providing guests with an experience. An asymmetrical layout prolongs the feelings of exploration, discovery, and surprise; the “ooo…I wonder what’s up this end of the table” rather than the disappointment of “oh, just more of the same”.
  • But if you do still prefer the stylish visual impact of a symmetrical design, you can always combine the two. Just mirror the position and type of serving containers, trays, jars, display stands, or risers at each end, without duplicating the treats.
  • This will give the impression of a modern, orderly, symmetrical layout, while still letting guests work their way along the full length of the table, discovering new treats as they go.
Matt James professional event planner
continue to page 2

groups, rows, and levels

Click on page 2 below to learn the 3 simple rules professionals use when designing a dessert table layout.

dessert table treats arranged in groups; one type of dessert per serving tray
desserts served in shooter glasses and mini dessert cups arranged in rows on a party dessert table
donuts arranged on a donut wall display stand on a party dessert table
chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla milk served in individual shooter glasses with a cookie and straw on a party dessert table

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