Do I have to use a cake stand at my wedding?

You certainly don't have to use a cake stand at your wedding, but it's a nice addition and can help your gorgeous cake stand out on the dessert table. Some cake stand alternatives include a serving platter or a scalloped pie pan.

What is a cake stand used for?

It's used for pretty much exactly what it sounds like! Cake stands are used to elevate a beautiful cake above the standard table. It's an excellent way to show off the cake you spent so much time tasting and customizing prior to the big day!

The 12 Best Cake Stands of 2023

Everyone has their eye on dessert—and especially the cake—at a wedding. After all the hard work of deciding on the design and flavors of the cake, it’s time to choose a stand. If you're offering smaller treats on the dessert table, a mix of pretty stands in different heights and shapes will tie it all together. After all, presentation is everything!

Cake stands can be found in almost any style—get one that matches the vibe of both your wedding decor and the dessert spread. A rustic, organic cake might sit well on a wooden or ceramic stand, while a contemporary cake can be paired with a modern marble or metal shape. Whatever you choose, there’s a cake stand for every wedding style.

To help you find the best option for your beautiful dessert table, we've researched and hand-picked the best wedding cake stands available. Couples throwing a chic city wedding will love the Prop Options Gold Metallic Gold Plinth Cake Stand. Throwing an outdoor ceremony or barn wedding? Opt for the TaylorMaedDesign Wooden Wedding Cake Stand or the Generic Oak Square Cake Stand.

Read on for the best cake stands.

Our Top Picks

TaylorMaedDesign Wooden Wedding Cake Stand at Etsy

Jump to Review

Prop Options Gold Metallic Gold Plinth Cake Stand at Etsy

Jump to Review

Wedding Hand Made Shop Rustic Cake Stand at Etsy

Jump to Review

World Market Pink Gold Rimmed Glass Cake Stand at World Market

Jump to Review

Mosser Glass Colored Glass Cake Stand at Food52

Jump to Review

AHeirloom Cake Stand at Food52

Jump to Review

West Elm Marble and Brass Cake Stand at West Elm

Jump to Review

Estelle Colored Glass Hand-Blown Glass Cake Stand at Anthropologie

Jump to Review

Mercury Row Couto Marble Cake Stand at Wayfair

Jump to Review

Generic Oak Square Cake Stand at Amazon

Jump to Review

Etsy Wooden Wedding Cake Stand with Customized Name and Date

Courtesy of Etsy

View On Etsy

Your wedding cake is one-of-a-kind and deserves a stand that is just as unique. This wooden platform is customized with the details of the day for a personalized presentation.

Price at time of publish: $50+

Etsy Gold Mirror Plinth- Large Metal Cake Stand

Courtesy of Etsy

View On Etsy

It’s all about the presentation! This glam minimalist stand elevates your cake in both height and style without stealing the show. It's perfect for any formal affair.

Price at time of publish: $151

Courtesy of Etsy

View On Etsy

If you’re looking for color, this cake stand does the trick! Made from wood by hand, the traditionally shaped stand is available in a wide array of colors and sizes. It’s sure to match the sweetest treat on the table.

Price at time of publish: $85

World Market Pink Gold Rimmed Glass Cake Stand

Courtesy of World Market

View On World Market

Sit your cake on a candy pink cloud! With swirls of pink and the look of handblown glass, this cake stand is an ethereal landing spot for the sweetest treat of the day.

Price at time of publish: $12 for large

Food52

View On Food52

Vintage vibes arise with these milk glass cake stands from Mosser Glass. Made by a family-owned business that uses classic glass molds, they are available in an array of colors and sizes. Standing alone or mixed and matched in a grouping, they're the perfect way to display both cakes and mini desserts.

Price at time of publish: $180 for large with glass dome

Courtesy of Food52

View On Food52

Artful with its curved, graceful wooden base and a sleek Corian top, this organic-meets-modern cake stand is all about craftsmanship. Custom made by husband and wife duo AHeirloom, this piece is sure to become an heirloom in itself.

Price at time of publish: $88

View On West Elm

A mix of materials and clean lines make this cake stand feel both sophisticated and modern. The sleek brass base adds a touch of glamour to create a pedestal that is super chic.

Price at time of publish: $45

4.5

Estelle Colored Glass Hand-Blown Glass Cake Stand

Courtesy of Food52

View On Anthropologie View On Food52 View On Luluandgeorgia.com

Delicate and ephemeral, these handblown glass stands will have your cake floating on a halo of loveliness. Available in a range of pretty hues, these stands are simply charming for any wedding venue and aesthetic.

Price at time of publish: $225

Wayfair Everly Quinn Logue V-Base Cake Stand

Courtesy of Wayfair

View On Wayfair

Perfect for a smaller cake, this modern stand with glam details makes for a pretty presentation. With a low profile and clean lines, this pedestal lets your cake shine.

Price at time of publish: $72

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

Crafted of oak, this classic cake stand is traditional in shape, but with a material that comes straight from Mother Nature. Polished to perfection, it’s an ideal choice for a classy country wedding.

Price at time of publish: $105

Target Thirsty Stone Marble and Wood Cake Stand

Courtesy of Target

View On Target

Mix it up! Wood and marble mingle with simplicity and geometry in a cake stand that is totally modern and completely unique.

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Macy's

Make an eye-catching statement with this stunning crystal cake stand. It will be the star of the dessert table at any black-tie reception.

Price at time of publish: $59

What to Look for in a Wedding Cake Stand

Style

First things first, a stylish stand that matches your wedding formality and aesthetic. Consider the other decor items and florals displayed at your wedding to find a cake stand that flows nicely with the theme. For instance, formal city weddings are the perfect place for chic gold finishes or stunning crystal cake stands—we especially love the Godinger Dublin Cake Plate Cake Stand.

Size and Quality

The last thing you want is for your cake to fall off its stand. Therefore, you want to make sure that the cake stand you choose is larger in diameter than your cake. It's also important to consider the quality of the materials and the construction to ensure a sturdy cake placement and avoid any mishaps.

FAQ

Do I have to use a cake stand at my wedding?

You certainly don't have to use a cake stand at your wedding, but it's a nice addition and can help your gorgeous cake stand out on the dessert table. Some cake stand alternatives include a serving platter or a scalloped pie pan.
What is a cake stand used for?

It's used for pretty much exactly what it sounds like! Cake stands are used to elevate a beautiful cake above the standard table. It's an excellent way to show off the cake you spent so much time tasting and customizing prior to the big day!

Why Trust Brides

Brides contributor Elizabeth MacLennan has been scouring marketplaces around the world and hunting down that just right object for over 15 years as a prop stylist. She has been writing about anniversary gifts, wedding gifts, and other shopping content for Brides since November 2019.