Candy is Dandy at a Candy Wedding Buffet

 

One new popular wedding trend is the candy buffet or confection bar consisting of a variety of candies and treats placed in varied sizes of glass containers, jars or decorative containers on a table. The buffets can serve a two fold purpose. They of course, taste good to your guests, and can work as your wedding favor as well. Your guests can select the candies of their choice.  And, chances are there will be no leftovers after your reception to clean up.  

So why are candy buffets so popular, you ask?

Simple, they are a huge hit with guests. It’s different, colorful and edible. Everyone loves candy, from the youngest child to the oldest adult who is young at heart.  Candy brings back memories and adds a nice nostalgic touch, it lets your guests connect back to any fond memories they have of childhood.  It’s a great stimulus to the senses..

Here are some tips and ideas to help you create a beautiful candy buffet at a low cost.

- If you are thinking about having a candy buffet, I cannot stress enough that to pull it off it you have to consider and implement the “wow factor” that your guests will have when they first walk into the reception room.

- Find affordable containers at the Dollar Stores, Wal-Mart, Pier One, Roberts Arts & Crafts, Ikea, Michaels Arts and Crafts, Ben Franklin, Joann, Details Event Central ; and even yard sales / flea  markets. Make sure they are clear glass containers that are both affordable and look nice. Buy large and small containers to have a nice variety.  A brandy snifter or martini glass is also a lovely container.  Think outside of the box!

- Keep in mind that guests will need to reach into the vase to pull out candy. Choose vases with wide enough mouths to allow for easy access.

- Don’t forget to buy scoopers for getting the candy out of the containers.

Make Your Display Different Levels

- Decorate the table to add character to your table and make your candy buffet table look fabulous.  Consider using:

- A tablecloth (of course)

- A table runner in one of your wedding colors

- Flowers and flower petals

- Candles

- Decor that matches your theme

- Pictures from your childhood, engagement or other life event

-  You can add extra eye catching dispensers such as a chocolate fountain, or perhaps a gumball machine.

- If money is not an option or space, you can rent a carnival candy station (with cotton candy cones), popcorn machines, or even buy popcorn already in containers.

- Remember that if you use containers to place them on display blocks that are then covered by the table cloth and assorted decorations. This creates a tiered effect and makes the table visually appealing.  An old catering trick is to take a milk crate and turn it upside down on the table, then cover with a cloth.  Put some of your containers on top of that.

- Coordinate your table with your wedding colors. Color makes a difference – coordinated colors look more elegant than random selections. If you are having a theme or holiday wedding such as Christmas, ribbon candies, candy canes and other holiday candies add a nice touch.

The Candy

- Use your wedding colors to inspire your candy selections. You don’t have to stay true to the colors you selected for the rest of the wedding, but it is a great way to tie it all together.

- The thing to remember with color is that it makes a difference – whatever colors you select. Candy buffets with coordinated colors look much better than random-colored candy selections.

- Purchase affordable candy – don’t forget those after holiday sales. Purchase candies after Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter and put it away for your wedding. Candy usually stays fresh for at least 6 months.

- Buy candy in bulk at places like Candy You Ate as a Kid, Shindigz , Oriental Trading Company, Sam’s Club and Costco.

- When choosing your candy think about:  What was your favorite childhood candy? Candy bracelets, ring pops, or maybe a simple lollipop?  This will add personalization and fun to the table.

- Chocolate dipped strawberries, pretzels, popcorn,  chocolate covered sunflower seeds, gourmet taffy apples are also a very appealing sweet to add to the buffet,

- Buy sodas from Jones Soda – where the cans are personalized with the bride and grooms face and name.  (It’s a definite conversation piece.)

- Also, be sure to have some clearly marked sugar free, peanut free, milk free, and gluten free candies for those with food allergies/ intolerances or special diets. Just so everyone can be included.

Be Sure to Have “Take Out Containers”

- Small Chinese food take out containers make cute containers. You can get these in your wedding colors, or add ribbon or stickers with your name and date.

- Cello bags, tins, or even cake bags are another option. Personalize your candy bag or container with a little sticker, a tag or even ribbon. Find a way to dress up your container to add a custom touch.  American Bridal has a wonderful selection of “different” and unique take home containers; including boxes, wedding chair bags and more.

How much candy would you need for 100 guests?

- A good rule of thumb is 1/2 to 1 pound PER GUEST. People tend to eat more when it’s a candy free for all! This comes out to about 40-50 pounds of candy.

How many types of candy should you buy?

- It’s up to you, but somewhere between 8-12 types is a good variety. Too many varieties and you won’t have enough of anything. Too few varieties, and you’ll likely run out of the “top choices”.

- Purchase 15-20 pounds of each of these candies. This may seem like an over abundance of candy, but a large table overflowing with candy has a presence at your wedding and does not look like something you threw together at the last minute.

What type of candy should you buy?

- It depends on the theme of your buffet. Decide if  you want an all white buffet, or do you prefer that the candy buffet matches the color scheme of your wedding, or are you having a theme wedding? If for example you are having a beach theme wedding, you can serve candies from the boardwalk: saltwater taffy, caramel apples, fudge, peanut brittle. Another option is to have a retro candy buffet displaying such items as candy bracelets and necklaces on the elastic cords or the little waxed bottles filled by sugar water.

- Get candy that is individually wrapped such as Hershey Kisses, or has a hard coating (like M&Ms). Gummi items can get hard if they sit out too long, licorice is too sticky for guests to pull on all night unless it is individually wrapped.. The most successful candies will be wrapped or hard. And, again, remember to buy scoops…. no one wants candy when hands have been in it… especially if there are children at the wedding. And, don’t forget the Jordan almonds … they are a staple at weddings.

Is a candy buffet expensive?

It can be. It all depends on what you buy and how much and what you buy.  If you are going to make a buffet don’t skimp.  Do it right.  Plan by how you want the display to look, not how many guests are coming. Having enough candy is crucial in making your candy buffet look good.

Bulk Candy Suppliers

Can’t find a bulk candy supplier, let us help you:

Nostalgic and Retro Candy from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s
Nostalgic and Nostalgia candy you ate as a child in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s is available in gift candy collections or wholesale!

Candy Favorites
Candy Favorites specializes in bulk and wholesale candy as well as Brachs and Jelly Belly. Please visit our online candy store offering over 2800 varieties of candy and retro confections

Metro Candy

Candy Warehouse

Economy Candy Homepage
Nuts, Dried Fruits, Chocolates and Candies. Economy Candy sells the finest nuts, dried fruits, chocolates and candies from around the world. Since 1937 Economy Candy…Noshers Paradise of the Lower Eastside in Manhattan.

My Candy Supplier
Wholesale Candy supplier offering old fashioned candy, unique candy, nostalgic candy and current candy, at wholesale prices to retail customers. With lowest price and 100 % satisfaction guarantees.

SweetFactory
Sweet Factory online candy store, hard to find, nostalgic, bulk candy, chocolates, gift for all occasions.

www..MYMMS.Com 
Offers custom printed chocolate candy for all your gift giving and celebration needs. Treat yourself or your loved ones with custom printed M&M’S(R), custom printed blends, or a selection of 22 creative colors.

Jelly Belly - The Official Site of Jelly Belly Candy Co.

Amazon.com
 

Don’t Forget the Chocolate

Foil Wrapped Chocolate Heart Available for $0.35 each at Charmingly Chocolate Shop Now		Pansies Favor Kit Available for $1.55 each at Charmingly Chocolate Shop Now
Garden of Love Favor Kit Available for $1.55 each at Charmingly Chocolate Shop Now		Foil Wrapped Chocolate Sunflower Available for $0.35 each at Charmingly Chocolate Shop Now
Foil Wrapped Chocolate Violet Available for $0.35 each at Charmingly Chocolate Shop Now		Foil Wrapped Chocolate Nail Polish Available for $1.84 each at Charmingly Chocolate Shop Now
Sunflowers Favor Kit Available for $1.55 each at Charmingly Chocolate Shop Now		Wedding Pop Available for $2.75 each at Charmingly Chocolate Shop Now
Foil Wrapped Chocolate Pansy Available for $0.35 each at Charmingly Chocolate Shop Now		Foil Wrapped Chocolate Coffee Cup Available for $0.60 each at Charmingly Chocolate Shop Now
Purple Passion Favor Kit Available for $1.85 each at Charmingly Chocolate Shop Now		Foil Wrapped Chocolate Tulip Available for $1.95 each at Charmingly Chocolate Shop Now
Nail Polish Favor Kit Available for $2.60 each at Charmingly Chocolate Shop Now		Foil Wrapped Domed Heart Available for $0.35 each at Charmingly Chocolate Shop Now

Have a Hostess at Your Buffet …

 

If you have someone who can manage your candy buffet,you can purchase an adorable apron (they come in many colors (red, green, pink, yellow, etc.)). It will add a professional and whimsical look to the table. And, it’s a great keepsake gift for the hostess. This retro apron also makes a nice gift for your attendants, for a bridal shower gift, or even a gift for mom. They are available at GetGoRetro.com.

Stage Your Buffet Table

 

Designing and staging a wedding buffet table is “key” to showing off your candy.  And, to make your table look professional, be sure to have a theme and color scheme.  Other tips to make your table look professiona are as follows:

Risers

- One of the many ways to set a professional looking buffet table is to first set out your plain table.  Before you start laying down any fabric, add some risers. These will add height to the different bowls on the table.

- Risers can be: plastic milk or cola crates (they are about 1.5 foot wide and 2 feet long. )Wooden boxes and books will also work.

- Lay out the crates, books, or boxes in different locations on your wedding table. Try stacking 2 tall risers in the middle of the table, then work towards the lower edges of the table. You want to create “peaks” and “valleys.”

Adding Fabric

- Drape a plain tablecloth over the table. It can be white or the main color of your wedding colors.

- Then add accent fabric. This can be a smaller square or rectangle piece of  fabric (this fabric should be a different color). This fabric can be draped on top, scrunched and set on top. or laid on top to flow over the table.

- The accent fabric can be the secondary color to your theme, it can be printed, or just be an elegant pattern.

Remember the Details

- Once you fill your containers with the candy, place them on the risers.

- Then, add fun memorabilia, for instance, photos, college letters, flowers, candles, framed photos, or any other fun details that reflect your as a couple and the wedding.

The result … a picturesque buffet table, set to wow the guests!

Resources to find table linens at a reasonable price, include:

Oriental Trading - Selling paper linens, buffet and table skirts and doo dads

Linen’s N Things

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