How to Create a Dreamy Ice Cream Sundae Bar For Summer Parties

Entertaining expert Candie Anderson holding rocky road ice cream cone at ice cream sundae bar station in her rose garden.

There’s nothing quite like summer entertaining – from warm weather to blooming gardens, delicious food and spending time with friends and family! It is the perfect season for hosting loved ones near and far. One of the most delightful ways to treat guests is with a garden ice cream sundae bar that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting a backyard get-together, or just making the most of a sunny afternoon, an ice cream sundae bar instantly creates a festive and memorable atmosphere.

This year, I transformed a section of my garden into the ultimate summer celebration space, complete with homemade vanilla and rocky road ice cream, classic toppings, and chic entertaining pieces. By blending charming details with beautiful products from Wayfair, I created a setup that was not only functional but absolutely stunning. One of the many reasons I love shopping at Wayfair is because they have everything you need to host a summer soiree – from gorgeous furniture to entertaining essentials, ice cream cone holders, beverage dispensers for drinks, serving trays and more! Wayfair also offers free shipping, which is one of my favorite perks.

A Rose Arch That Steals the Show

Entertaining expert Candie Anderson adorned her ice cream sundae bar with delicious toppings and homemade ice cream! It looks amazing under her pink roses and beautiful arch in the garden at RoseCandi flower farm.

The heart of my backdrop was the breathtaking rose arch overflowing with pink climbing garden roses. Arches are one of the easiest and most impactful ways to add elegance and structure to any garden. Wayfair offers a fantastic selection of arbors – from wood to metal, vinyl and steel that can instantly elevate your outdoor space. Whether you’re framing a walkway, creating a romantic focal point, or showcasing climbing roses, a gorgeous arch adorned with roses is sure to garner compliments from family and friends. With just one statement piece, you can transform your backyard into a picture-perfect backdrop for entertaining.

Beautiful Entertaining Pieces from Wayfair

Marble tiered stand with hobnail dessert cups, melamine Perlette bowls, and ceramic pie pans for an ice cream sundae bar, styled in front of a pink rose arch at RoseCandi Flower Farm.

For my ice cream bar, I used a marble tiered stand to display mini ceramic pie pans (perfect for banana splits), Perlette melamine bowls for the kids, and hobnail glass dessert bowls for sundaes. The acrylic ice cream cone holder kept cones upright and ready to grab, adding a playful and practical touch to the table.

Ice cream sundae with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, nuts, and cherries served in a hobnail dessert cup in front of a pink rose backdrop at Candie Anderson's flower farm.

Acrylic ice cream cone holder with four waffle cones displayed on a wooden table in front of a pink rose garden backdrop at Candie Anderson's ice cream sundae bar station at RoseCandi flower farm.

With Wayfair, you can create a Pinterest-worthy backyard setup that’s both functional and beautiful.

Acrylic ice cream cone holder with four waffle cones filled with homemade chocolate rocky road ice cream and vanilla ice cream, displayed on a wooden table in front of a pink rose garden

The Console Table and Setup Details

Ice cream sundae bar setup on a two-tier console table with cones, bowls, and toppings, styled in front of a pink rose arch in a summer garden

To anchor the display, I styled everything on my modern outdoor two-tiered console table, which gave me ample space to organize bowls, cones, and toppings while leaving the lower shelf free for extra decorative details. I made the homemade ice cream using my KitchenAid stand mixer and Nostalgia ice cream maker, then stored the finished flavors in a Tovolo ice cream tub container to keep them perfectly frozen until serving time.

Entertaining expert, journalist and blogger Candie Anderson features the KitchenAid stand mixer she used to whip the heavy whipping cream she used to make her homemade rocky road ice cream for her ice cream sundae bar.

Entertaining expert Candie Anderson's homemade rocky road ice cream in a pink Tovolo ice cream container next to an old-fashioned Nostalgia ice cream maker on a white kitchen counter.

Small Libbey glass bowls were filled with crowd-favorite toppings, including hot fudge, caramel sauce, chopped nuts, mini marshmallows, crushed candy bars, and maraschino cherries — all beautifully corralled in a scalloped rattan tray. One of my favorite things about these small glass bowls/cups is they have lids! As someone who lives in a rural area there tends to be a lot of bugs in the summer, so having lids for my toppings when entertaining is essential!

Ice cream sundae toppings and a Tovolo container in a scalloped rattan tray with sprinkles, hot fudge, and glass cups, set on a wooden table in front of pink roses at Candie Anderson's flower farm RoseCandi.

Close-up of entertaining expert Candie Anderson's ice cream sundae toppings including caramel, chocolate sauce, rainbow sprinkles, and chopped nuts in glass cups next to a Tovolo container in a rattan tray

Outdoor Furniture That Welcomes Guests

Two white Adirondack chairs with a small accent table set in front of a blooming pink rose bush in a backyard garden at the home and flower farm of Candie Anderson

To make sure guests had a comfortable and stylish place to enjoy their treats, I set up my foldable white Adirondack chairs and a small classic accent table to the side of my ice cream sundae bar, creating a cozy seating nook that invited everyone to relax and linger. I also included a charming black bistro table set nearby, providing extra seating and enhancing the overall summery vibe of the space. Thoughtful furniture choices can make all the difference in transforming a simple backyard gathering into a true summer celebration.

Black metal bistro table set with two chairs placed in front of a lush pink rose bush in the backyard garden of Candie Anderson at her flower farm RoseCandi.

Tips for Setting Up an Ice Cream Sundae Bar

Tovolo ice cream container surrounded by sundae toppings in glass bowls, including caramel, hot fudge, cherries, marshmallows, nuts, and sprinkles in a rattan tray on entertaining Candie Anderson's ice cream sundae bar.

If you’re inspired to set up your own ice cream sundae bar, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind:

Keep it organized: Use trays, bowls, and tiered stands to separate toppings, cones, and dishes so everything is easy to reach.
Offer variety: Provide multiple ice cream flavors and toppings to suit different tastes — classic vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry are always winners!
Plan for melting: Keep ice cream in insulated containers or store it in the freezer until just before serving to avoid a melted mess.
Create cozy seating: Make sure there’s enough space for guests to sit, chat, and enjoy their sundaes comfortably.

Add decorative touches: Flowers, string lights, or a statement piece like an arch can instantly elevate the look and make your ice cream bar feel extra special.

Ice cream cones in an acrylic holder on a wooden table in front of a blooming pink rose arch, with scoops of rocky road, chocolate and vanilla ice cream on Candie Anderson's ice cream sundae bar.

Final Thoughts: Make Summer Celebrations Easy

Candie Anderson's white Adirondack chair and accent table with a sundae from an ice cream sundae bar, styled in front of a blooming pink rose bush

Whether you’re hosting a backyard birthday, a summer soirée, or a laid-back afternoon with family, a garden ice cream sundae bar is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With Wayfair’s wide range of outdoor furniture, entertaining pieces, and garden accents, you can effortlessly host in style and create unforgettable memories all summer long. So grab your favorite toppings, invite your friends, and get ready to make your backyard the most popular spot of the season!