To help you craft an elegant s’mores bar — an interactive, memorable guest experience that captures the spirit of the autumn season — we consulted wedding experts. Here’s their best advice.
Fall weddings are back, and we’re all for it. There’s something about the temperature dropping and the leaves changing color that brings with it a cozy, romantic vibe. This year, couples are exploring new ways to incorporate a warm, nostalgic ambiance for their fall wedding celebrations.
However, one fall trend that’s going nowhere is the s’mores station. It is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. But this season’s s’mores bars are moving away from simple campfires and basic ingredients. They’re elevated experiences with gourmet toppings, customized touches, and rustic yet elegant styling.
We turned to the experts to help you craft a dreamy s’mores station, with or without the help of a wedding caterer. Save this guide to craft a sweet, nostalgic, and visually arresting s’mores station for your wedding celebrations!
Beyond the Basics: Upgrade Your S'mores Game
S’mores anyone?! To transform a simple campfire favorite into a gourmet experience, opt for an assortment of high-quality, indulgent toppings instead of the standard chocolate and graham cracker combination. Furthermore, it’s best to always check with your venue before planning a s’mores station, as not all venues allow open flames.
“Get the basics right before getting creative,” declares McKenzi Taylor, founder of Cactus Collective Weddings. “From my experience, the fancy flavor-stuffed marshmallows don’t roast very well, so if you want to switch things up, swap out the graham crackers and chocolate bars for fudge-lined cookies and specialty chocolates instead.”
Experts also advise incorporating a toppings bar with unexpected additions to awe your guests. Additionally, keep in mind your guests’ preferences and dietary requirements.
“Have pre-skewered marshmallows and a toppings bar that goes beyond basics, like dark chocolate, peanut butter cups, cinnamon sugar grahams, and a vegan or gluten-free option. Assign one attendant to restock and keep it tidy so it feels fun and polished throughout the night,” mentions Craig Peterman from Craig Peterman Photography & Videography.
Take your s’mores station to the next level by integrating it with a stunning outdoor landscape and including savory toppings like gourmet cheeses, sliced meats, and spreads.
Dana Nichols, marketing manager at Red Cliffs Lodge Zion, agrees: “At our properties, couples add a playful twist to their wedding reception with a s’mores station set beside the property’s glowing outdoor fire pits. Guests can toast up traditional sweet s’mores, dig into a gooey dip made for sharing, or even try a savory spin with melted cheese and crackers.”
Personal Touches: Monogrammed Marshmallows & More
To make the s’mores bar feel distinctively yours, decorate the station with elements like custom signage and incorporate monogrammed marshmallows. Make sure that the design aesthetic of your s’mores station matches the rest of the wedding decor, but don’t forget to have fun.
“We love the idea of displaying a playful step-by-step guide so guests can build the ultimate s’more with all the toppings. To make it even sweeter, surprise them with gourmet monogrammed marshmallows that are either custom-printed or heat-branded with your initials for a personal touch,” declares Heidi Moore, stationer and creative at idieh design.
Indoor Elegance: Bringing the Campfire Inside
A large al fresco area isn’t always needed to craft a stunning s’mores station. With the right setup, you can bring the cozy, warm feel of a campfire indoors.
“You don’t need a huge campfire flame—you can use a small Sterno can placed in a decorative box surrounded with river rocks,” mentions Meg Walker, president and executive chef of MBM Hospitality. “Set out all the pieces—graham crackers, big and fluffy marshmallows, chocolate, and skewers in separate dishes for a cute display that guests can easily enjoy and assemble.”
A Mess-Free Twist: The S’mores Tart
While traditional s’mores are crowd-favorites for a reason, they can also be a tad messy, particularly at weddings. For a more refined and easy option, you could serve s’mores with a creative take, which captures all the flavor in a more convenient form. Enter S’mores Tarts.
Angel Moore, events manager at Nick’s Cove, agrees: “Traditional s’mores can be very photogenic and fun, but they can also get everywhere, so the hand-held s’mores tart is a great way to infuse that nostalgia into a more manageable dessert option. S’mores tarts make it a lot easier for wedding guests to enjoy that smoky, chocolatey, marshmallow flavor combination, but in a much less messy way.”
Sweet Favors: S’mores Kits To-Go
We can’t think of a more delectable wedding favor, can you? Convert your s’mores station into a lip-smacking send-off by serving take-away kits. This way, every guest can take home something sweet from the day, even if they’re too busy dancing to hit the dessert bar.
“Double your s’mores display as guest favors with take-away boxes, including a monogram or thank you tag to personalize each one,” mentions Carin Hunt, wedding specialist at Coconut Palm Inn. “Dessert stations are often opened once the dancefloor is full, resulting in guests missing out on the sweet treats. Offering premade s’more kits is the perfect way to include everyone with a sweet appreciation treat to go!”
Safety Is Key: Attendants and Lighting
Lastly, since you’ll be having open flames at your wedding event, it’s important to prioritize safety and arrange for a proper setup and supervision.
“We recommend using an attended gas fire if possible over wood in a wedding setting to limit smoke, sparks, and related smells. The attendant serves to ensure safety, especially if there are any children present or people are unfamiliar with cooking marshmallows over direct fire,” remarks Vijay Goel, co-owner of Bite Catering Couture. “As much as we love wood, using gas in this setting improves safety by reducing smoke and sparks as well as reducing any smoke smell or discoloration that might stick to wedding clothing.”
Moreover, ensure your s’mores bar is well-lit so guests and their little ones can easily navigate the space. You don’t want wedding guests stumbling around in the dark after a couple of drinks. “If you are lucky enough to have an outdoor fire pit available for a late-night s'mores station at your wedding, don't forget to ensure the area is lit for safety,” concludes Janice Carnevale, owner of Bellwether Events. “You will want to ensure that they can easily see all the supplies set up for their use, including marshmallows, graham crackers, candy, roasting sticks, and napkins or wipes.”
Cover photo by Jennie Crate Photography from Cozy Campfire Wedding Inspiration
Related
You must be logged in to post a comment.