Allergens – Things to Consider for Your Wedding Cake and Dessert Table

Planning your wedding cake and dessert table is one of the sweetest (literally) parts of the big day, but let’s talk about something a little less glamorous: allergens. Nobody wants their wedding to be memorable for the wrong reasons, like an unexpected EpiPen cameo. With more guests than ever having dietary restrictions, it’s worth taking a few precautions to keep everyone safe.

Start with the Guest List

Before finalizing your menu, do a little detective work (without being too creepy) and check if any of your guests have allergies or intolerances. Some common ones to watch out for include:

• Nuts (peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and their sneaky friends)

• Dairy (because not everyone loves a lactose adventure)

• Gluten (bye-bye, traditional flour!)

• Eggs (even in the fluffiest cakes)

• Soy (it’s everywhere, I swear!)

• Sesame (yes, it’s in more than just burger buns!)

It’s always good to collect this information early so your cake artist can work their magic (or at least attempt to!).

Strawberry and rose pavlova

Be Clear About Cross-Contamination

Look, I’d love to tell you my kitchen is a completely safe haven for allergen-free baking, but the reality is, I use all 14 major allergens regularly. While I do my absolute best to avoid cross-contamination, I cannot guarantee that anything will be 100% allergen-free. If your guests have severe allergies, it’s best to let them know in advance so they can plan accordingly (or bring their own emergency snacks).

Labelling is Key

If your dessert table is looking like a buffet of delicious chaos, clear labelling can be a lifesaver. Small signs next to each dessert indicating major allergens will prevent awkward guesswork and unnecessary risks.

Consider adding labels like:

• "Contains Nuts – Proceed with Caution!"

• "Gluten-Free (but baked in the same kitchen as gluten things)"

• "Dairy-Free – Moo-free Goodness!"

That way, guests can navigate their dessert destiny with confidence.

Elderberry and elderflower verrines

Alternative Options

It’s always a good idea to have at least one treat that caters to dietary restrictions. A few ideas include:

• Nut-Free Cakes: No sneaky almonds lurking in the sponge!

• Gluten-Free Bakes: Cakes made with gluten-free flour (though cross-contamination is still a possibility, let’s be real).

• Dairy-Free Delights: Coconut cream and oat milk can work wonders.

• Egg-Free Treats: Aquafaba macarons, anyone?

If you do have allergen-free options, make sure they have their own separate plates and utensils, or better yet, serve them separately. Because let’s face it, once a guest starts mixing up serving spoons, all bets are off!

Also, just something to consider, it's impossible to make allergen-free desserts for just one or two people. If allergen-friendly items are ordered, they still need to be made in full batches of 24. So, if you’re ordering a gluten-free cupcake for Aunt Susan, you might as well invite 23 more gluten-free friends to enjoy them too!

Communicate with Your Cake Artist

If you know some of your guests have dietary needs, let’s chat early on. While I’m happy to tweak things where possible, I can’t promise an allergen-free environment. If in doubt, it’s always safest for guests with severe allergies to bring their own tried-and-tested treats.

On delivery, I provide a handover sheet describing all items and their allergens. If you’d like this info ahead of time to make fancy little signs (or just to feel extra organized), I’m more than happy to provide it!

Final Thoughts

A little planning goes a long way in making sure everyone can enjoy your wedding desserts without worry (or hospital trips). By considering allergens, offering some alternatives, and keeping communication open, you’ll make your dessert table a place of joy rather than stress.

Looking for a cake artist who gets the balance between indulgence and awareness? Let’s create something delicious that (mostly) everyone can enjoy!