Everyone knows that the best part of a meal is dessert. Sweeten up any party with a tasty table filled with sugary treats and scrumptious snacks. Christine Alpert, owner of Sweettablescapes in Tenafly, created three delicious dessert tablescapes that are sure to satisfy the sweet cravings of your friends and family. "A dessert table is the ending to your party and the final impression you'll leave your guests," Alpert says. "Everyone loves sweets, the indulgence of multiple choices, and the sheer beauty of a lavish and tasty spread. Make sure it is the perfect reflection of you."

Do-It-Yourself Tips for the Perfect Dessert Table
The type of event, season, location and overall vibe you want to project will help you determine the style of your party and subsequently your dessert table. Whether it is a romantic engagement party, a feminine bridal shower or a wedding, you want to express your personality, style and creativity.

Based on your theme or simply the type of event, you will determine the overall look you want to achieve. Do you want something fun? elegant? vintage? Do you want a destination you love, an activity you enjoy or simply nature to be your inspiration? Your taste and personality should dictate your choices and help you determine the following elements of your table:

Colors
These will be the colors introduced in your invitation and the overall d‚cor of your event. Stick with two or three and pick a solid tablecloth (this will allow your desserts to take center stage) as a canvas, add a backdrop if the space behind your table is unattractive and have all your desserts made in these same hues.

Table
A tablecloth that goes all the way to the floor will be much more sleek and elegant. Choose all your platters, cake stands, trays and jars to fit your color scheme and theme. Try having a variety of shapes and heights (you can easily make risers with fabric-covered Styrofoam blocks or even cardboard boxes) to create visual interest. Choose wood cake stands for a natural look or crystal for an elegant vibe.

Candy
It adds touches of color and fills small spaces, and it can also become the main event as the ever-popular candy bar. In this case, use apothecary jars and bowls in all shapes and sizes, provide a lot of spoons and cellophane bags, and let your guests rediscover their inner child.

Desserts
The sweets you select are the most important part of your dessert table and must offer a variety of flavors, shapes and textures to satisfy everyone's taste. A centerpiece cake is always a striking feature but not a necessity; cupcake towers can also create a stunning accent. Cookies, brownies, cake pops, tartlets, candy, parfaits and all miniature desserts can be integrated. Try to keep everything in the two-bites-and-you're-done category. Treat these sweets as finger food: easy to handle and too small to feel guilty about! You might want to have mini pumpkin pies, small caramel apples, spiced cupcakes and apple-cider shots for a fall event or lemon poppy seed petits fours, pastel-colored cake pops, white-chocolate covered Oreos and monogrammed cookies for a spring celebration. Don't forget fruit as a colorful and refreshing extra for all your calorie-conscious guests.

Finishing Touches
Remember that attention is in the details. Try to integrate labels for each of the desserts. Ribbons on jars and spoons always look festive, and flowers are most certainly a welcome addition to any table, adding an organic and natural feel to the design.

Location
Create your dessert table in a separate corner or special space so that you can enjoy the "reveal" when dessert time comes. You'll be thrilled to see the joy on your guests' faces when they discover a beautiful, stylish table covered with sweets.

Photos courtesy of Karen Farber Photography and by Greg Pallante.