Dessert Buffet Table Décor Ideas | Black and White Party

Party & event hosts are very creative creatures. They search all over the internet for dessert buffet table décor ideas to use as inspiration for their own event. Photos can trigger that "great idea" you have been waiting for in designing and building a beautiful dessert table -- or buffetscape.

A black and white party is timeless, classic. It's versatile enough to be very vintage in its vibe, traditional or very hip and modern feeling. Lots of brides and hosts of parties ranging from birthdays to showers to fundraisers are choosing to use a black and white color scheme.

Here, you will find 2 in-depth examples with décor ideas for your dessert buffet table in the black and white theme. One modern and one more traditional in design but both are a great jumping off point, whatever your design preference.

Image Credit: Mandee Sears/DecoratingforEvents

then the décor/set-up is the supporting cast...

Some buffets are gorgeous but aren't functional for guests-- not easy for guests to navigate or don't provide necessary elements because they aren't "pretty". Others are very functional but lack beauty -- think school cafeteria or Army chow line. Yuck!

Buffets should be the perfect marriage of beauty and function. It's not hard, really! Planning ahead will make all the difference in the look, feel and taste of your buffet.

Image Credit:
Mandee Sears/DecoratingforEvents

Modern Style Black & White Dessert Buffet Table Ideas

Dessert Table -- Modern Style

A modern style dessert buffet is all about clean lines, color and symmetry (most of the time).

Common elements would include: white dishes, platters and stands, square and rectangle shaped dishes and a "mirrored" or "symmetrical" design. Different heights of serving pieces is still important so that guests can reach everything as well as the heights giving the design interest.

A "less is more" philosophy is used for a more modern look. You won't see a lot of frou-frou fabrics or extra decor. Decor for a modern buffet is kept to a minimum but what is used makes a statement.

A "mirrored" or "symmetrical" set up is often used. A two color design -- like the black and white above -- is very popular. This is especially true when you use a funky pattern like the zebra stripe. Other two color designs that have a modern look include, hot pink and black, lime green and Caribbean blue, purple and white, orange and blue, apple red and apple green.

Amy Atlas and Shauna Younge are famous for their modern style dessert buffets. Check out their portfolios for more modern designs by clicking their names above.

Image Credit: Mandee Sears/DecoratingforEvents

Martha Stewart Modern Festive Medium Pom-Poms

3' x 6' Iridescent Faux Crystal Beaded Curtain

You could go more DIY with your backdrop, too. Find things you already own that would work as a backdrop. A grouping of picture frames (empty or filled with photos), a tablecloth, blanket or throw in a complementary pattern, butcher paper, construction paper, scrapbooking paper -- the possibilities are endless.

Whichever method you choose, a backdrop for your table will make it beautiful in person as well as in photos.

White dishes are perfect for a modern style buffet. They are neutral and crisp. Stick with linear shapes like rectangles and squares for a more modern feel.

Traditional Style Black & White Dessert Buffet Table Ideas

Dessert Table -- Traditional Style

A traditional style dessert buffet uses, greenery, florals, risers, fabrics (in addition to table linens) and decor pieces. They can be a bit frou-frou but what better place to go a bit over the top than at weddings, anniversaries and other formal events.

Typically, the table is covered in a floor length cloth or a cloth and a table skirt. This is the base you will build from. You add your utilitarian risers (to elevate the food) and then cover them with more fabrics. This creates peaks and valleys for food and decor. You might place fresh ivy or flowers in a valley between two peaks or at the base of a plate or cake stand.

Traditional style dessert buffets mix lots of textures and layers to add depth to the design as well as making use of most of the surface of the table. If you have ever been on a cruise ship, this is close to the same style, without all the fancy Chef fruit and vegetable carvings.

Traditional dessert tables can be symmetrical or asymmetrical or just eye pleasing -- no rules -- whatever looks good to you!

Image Credit: Mandee Sears/DecoratingforEvents

A fun way to add texture and color (and possibly height too) to your traditional dessert table is to make edible centerpieces. Using fruits like strawberries and pineapples you can make some easy edible centerpieces to accent your dessert table. You can also make candy trees that are edible or just for decor, it's up to you.

Try something new -- make a centerpiece out of brownie bites or mini muffins, a bouquet out of cupcakes or cookies. Serving traditional desserts in a non-traditional manner is half the fun of a dessert table buffet!

Here are a few edible/non-edible dessert centerpiece tutorials:

Donut Hole Tree

It calls it a Christmas tree but I think it could be used for almost any occasion!

Candy Kisses Topiary Tree

This is great for Easter, Spring, Summer, Christmas, Halloween, Weddings, Showers -- you name it! Just make sure you get the holiday colors you want when available -- even if you don't make it until later in the year.

Button Cookie Bouquet

This is perfect for a vintage theme!

Image Credit: Mandee Sears/DecoratingforEvents

This is a wonderful book, really! The ideas are simple but stunning as a centerpiece for your next buffet. There are 40 different centerpieces made from appetizers, desserts and fruit/vegetables. The book has step by step instructions so you won't miss a thing.

No matter the type of buffet you are hosting, one of these centerpieces ideas is bound to be perfect.

After looking at the photo galleries above...

Do you prefer the look of a Modern or Tradition Buffet Table & Why?

You plan your menu ahead, right? You buy the ingredients, bake and cook as much as you can ahead of time because you can't make everything at the last minute.

It's the same idea with your buffet design plan. Having a "dry run" of your buffet table can help you foresee possible problems with your design and decor ideas while you still have time to fix them. Or, it can help you decide what you really like so you can put your best foot forward at your event.

Start by gathering all the elements you are going to use for your buffet -- serving dishes, utensils, flatware, plates, etc...

Label each serving dish with the food you plan to serve in/on it . Gather your decor items and linens. Set up the table the exact way you will for your buffet. Then, pretend you are a guest and move through the buffet as they would.

Pay particular attention to things like:

1. Can you reach each of the dishes without knocking over another dish or piece of decor?
2. Is there a designated place (on or off the buffet) for guests to get napkins, flatware, drinks or plates?
3. If you are using candles, they must be up high like a tall candelabra. Guests reaching over to get food can catch a sleeve on fire or get burned.

   Contained candles work better. Use a hurricane globe or other open ended glass to cover the flame.

   The best idea is to use l.e.d. candles. They come in tea lights, votives, pillars and tapers. No chance of some getting hurt plus the beauty of a real flickering candle.

   Image Credit: Mandee Sears/DecoratingforEvents

Image Credit: Mandee Sears/DecoratingforEvents

1. I hate a buffet with pre-plated desserts set out. Reminds me of my college cafeteria. The desserts get dried out in a hurry and you can't really make it pretty with so many plates.

   I have found that the table presentation is much better if I cut cakes, pies, tortes and cheesecakes into small servings but leave them intact. I also like to use individual desserts like:

   shot glass or mini martini glass chocolate mousse

   brownie bites

   cake pops

   mini muffins

   cupcakes

   decorated cookies

   Try adding a large trifle bowl with grandma's banana pudding where guest can spoon out a small serving themselves.

   This allows guests to sample a bit of everything with little waste due to the small portions. Full servings of desserts pre-plated, makes for a lot of waste. Guests love to be able to have a little taste of everything instead of having to choose only one dessert. If they want more of one item, that can take an extra piece. Win-Win!

2. Pound cakes, zucchini bread, pumpkin rolls and the like look on a rectangle platter. Place them on the platter and then cut down the middle of the cake (lengthwise) first. Go back and cut into slices (width of cake loaf). This makes more pieces to go around and with the cake leaning on itself it will be less likely to dry out as quickly as a slab on a plate.
3. Choose one color for your servingware/dishes. This will give a uniform look and let the food be the star of the show.
4. Consider using mini martini glasses, shot glasses, or cordial glasses for some of your individual desserts. They look very classy when filled with mousse, pudding, chiffon and other tasty treats. Top each glass with a sprig of mint, a cherry or some whipped cream.
5. Use fruits, vegetables, greenery and/or florals to garnish your food offerings and decorate you buffet. They can add an elegant touch!

for your next party or event

Choose your colors/theme and set about making a plan for your dessert table (or any party buffet). Take a bit of time in pre-planning and it will all come together better at your event.

Using a separate, small table for napkins, flatware and plates allows the dessert table set up to be much prettier. Play around with colors and decor until you decide what works best for your event. It's fun and your guests will love to see what you come up with for your dessert table!

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for a Black and White Party

The examples within this article are for a black and white party, but the same basic elements work for any colors or theme. Have fun with your next dessert table set up!