20 Doughnut Wall Ideas for Your Wedding

Small donut wall featuring white flowers for a small, intimate ceremony — Photo by Peter Gubernat Photography

More and more couples are ditching the classic white wedding cake, and are now opting for non-traditional, yet still delectable, desserts like homemade pies, cupcakes, cake pops, and even giant Rice Krispies treats. However, one popular food trend that has stood the test of time over the past few years is the doughnut wall.

The doughy treats are affordable, easy to serve, and come in a variety of flavors (glazed, old-fashioned, sprinkles, etc.). Not to mention, doughnuts are simply downright adorable. While you can certainly serve these treats instead of cake altogether, they work especially well as part of a larger dessert-table spread (because where desserts are concerned, the more the merrier). Ahead, check out our favorite doughnut wall variations to inspire your own.

Meet the Expert

John and Kate Emmets are the husband and wife team behind Off The Wall Donuts, a New Jersey-based company that specialized in doughnut walls for events. The pair have been building and delivering custom doughnut walls since 2018.

01 of 20

Combine With Sweet Confections

Easy on the eyes and equally tasty, this pretty-in-pink doughnut wall was made for the 'gram. A variety of doughnuts coated in pink icing and toppings are accompanied by a selection of pink macarons and cake pops.

02 of 20

Keep Things Pared-Back

Having an intimate ceremony with a smaller guest list? This wooden doughnut holder is the perfect size for displaying a few dozen doughnuts. Throw in a clear lucite sign and pretty white blooms for a flawlessly curated dessert section.

03 of 20

Ask for an Ombré Design

Ombre donut wall — Photo by Sara Hasstedt Photography

Turn your doughnut wall into a modern work of art by opting for glazed doughnuts in a gradient of subtle ombré shades. "If you are planning on using the doughnut wall for decor or photos, ask your vendor to incorporate coordinating colors and florals into the design. This looks GREAT in pictures," the Emmets share.

04 of 20

Serve a Variety of Flavors

"Donut Want This Night To End" doughnut wall at wedding — Photo by Franzi Annika Photography

This scrumptious doughnut wall has something to satisfy every palate. At this wedding, guests were able to choose from key lime, cinnamon vanilla, chocolate sprinkle, lemon blueberry, and maple bacon-flavored doughnuts.

05 of 20

Embrace a Doughnut Pun

A "Hole" Lotta Love doughnut wall — Photo by Alea Lovely Photography

You can't deny that doughnut walls are a perfect opportunity for a good pun. We love the above phrase, but a few other good ones we’ve seen include “Donut leave me hangin’,” “Donut worry, be happy,” and “Donut stop, won’t stop.”

06 of 20

Mix and Match Your Flavors

Donut wall featuring a variety of donuts — Photography by MoscaStudio.com; Styling by Bridal Bliss

If you're worried about guests getting bored with classic cinnamon sugar and glazed doughnuts, don't hesitate to throw some more gourmet flavors into the mix, like maple bacon or raspberry glaze. To keep doughnuts fresh, the Emmets suggest "working closely with a doughnut shop to ensure the doughnuts are made the same day as the wedding, and as late as possible in the day."

07 of 20

Add a Pop of Pink

Pink donut wall — Photo by Marianne Taylor Photography

Your guests will be tickled pink the moment they get a glimpse of this whimsical wall of doughnuts. The large tabletop display is perfectly pink and effortlessly set up for a vibrant celebration.

08 of 20

Go Big or Go Home

DIY Doughnut Wall Featuring a Variety of Doughnuts — Photo by Sam and Sola Studio

Go big or go home with a gigantic doughnut wall of your dreams. Featuring six tasty flavors (vanilla coconut, vanilla Oreos, fruity pebbles, strawberry sprinkle, maple, and chocolate), this couple's 8' x 8' white melamine wall was adorned with greenery, and the words "A Hole New Beginning" for a classic and contemporary twist on the dessert trend.

09 of 20

Opt for Doughnut Shelves

Shelves of donuts — Photo by The Grovers Photography

Instead of hanging your treats on pegs, display your favorite doughnuts on wooden shelves and invite guests to help themselves. Be sure to include pretty menu signs, like these calligraphed banners, describing the different flavors.

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Decorate With Greenery

<p>Doughnut bar</p> — Photo by Kristin La Voie Photography

To make your doughnut shelves stand out, decorate your display with garlands and beautiful greenery vines. It's an elegant and unexpected way to lay out this fun and delightful dessert.

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Go Rustic

Rustic donut wall — Photo by Jamie Jones Photography

If you’re getting married in a more rustic venue, like a farm or barn, then a DIY-style doughnut wall is a great option. Opt to leave your display unfinished for a rough-hewn look, and hang your favorite flavors from rows of wooden pegs.

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Embrace the Best of Both Worlds

Candy and donut bar for wedding reception — Photo by The Everlasting Photo

Think outside the box with an epic candy bar featuring all your favorite sweets, cupcakes, and doughnuts. To replicate this picture-perfect setup, all you'll need is a grazing table, a doughnut wall, and jars stocked with gummy bears and sour ropes.

13 of 20

Lean Into Fall Flavors

Apple cinnamon donut wall for a fall wedding — Photo by Shelby Rae Photographs

Usher in autumn nuptials with apple cinnamon flavored doughnuts. Coupled with punny signage ("donut mind if I do") and apple décor, this doughnut wall is giving us all the fall feels.

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Use Minimalist Displays

Donut wall featuring a mix of sprinkle and icing-coated donuts — Photo by Bird On The Wall Photography

For a quick pick-me-up during the reception, a sugar rush from everyone's favorite doughnut chain will hit the spot. Here, a sampling of Krispy Kreme's most popular flavors—from chocolate glazed to strawberry icing with sprinkles—is displayed on a board and wooden easel.

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Provide To-Go Boxes

Donut wall featuring a spectrum of galaxy-inspired donuts — Photo by Abigail Miles

Having a brunch wedding reception? Guests with a sweet tooth won't be able to resist this decadent mid-morning treat. However, provide to-go boxes for attendees who plan to take a doughnut (or two) for the road.

To avoid letting doughnuts go to waste, the Emmets advise having your doughnut wall vendor pack up all the leftovers for an after-party treat. "Our couples love that the doughnuts are not wasted and the after-party goers love the sweet snack," they share.

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Don't Be Afraid to DIY

Doughnut Wall Featuring a Variety of Doughnuts — Photo by Shelby Rae Photographs

If you have the resources to do so, we can't think of anything more special than building your own wall from scratch. To accommodate a larger guest list, you should also consider putting out clear jars filled with doughnut holes for attendees who just want a small bite.

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Order from a Local Shop

Donut Mind If I Do Donut Wall from Tawni + Troy's Lake Tahoe Wedding — Photo by Morgan McCanne Photo

If you and your spouse-to-be are doughnut connoisseurs, Dunkin' and Krispy just won't do. However, you can tap a local family-owned shop to make housemade cake doughnuts in your choice of flavors. Not sure how many treats to order? The Emmets share, "we typically recommend ordering 30 to 50 doughnuts less than the number of guests attending the wedding."

If the doughnut wall is the main dessert or part of a limited spread at your reception, you should plan on ordering one doughnut per guest.

18 of 20

Embrace the Classics

late-night doughnuts — Photo by Patricia Lyons Photography

You can never go wrong with a classic glazed or powdered doughnut. This couple brought it back to the basics, and served delicious and beautiful treats we're sure all of their guests loved.

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Show Your Love

Red Treat Yo' Self Doughnut Wall For a Wedding — Photo by Lauryn Kay Photography

Give wedding guests something to talk about with an attention-grabbing red doughnut wall, and red frosted doughnuts, that will have everyone feeling the love. The Emmets share, "our tip to couples would be to make your doughnut wall as unique as your relationship. Bring lots of inspiration to the design table and let the experts create something your guests will be raving about."

20 of 20

Create a Doughnut Section

Shabby-Chic Doughnut Wall With Wine Barrels — Photo by Leah Marie Photography

This shabby-chic doughnut section has it all. A panache-packed display is accompanied by an assortment of sweets, including a naked cake and trays of cookies. From the playful hand-lettered signage to the wooden wine barrels, no detail goes unnoticed.