How Sweet It Is: Building the Candy Buffet of Your Dreams
You're not alone. More and more brides want to see a tower of sweets at their reception.
Motives differ: some like how buffets allow guests to hunt and pick according to their personal sweet tooth.
Others like the fairytale flavor. Candyland, Babes in Toyland, Willy Wonka: some of our earliest dreams of abbondanza involve forests where gumdrops hang from trees, chocolate runs in rivers and pillars are peppermint sticks.
And if that makes you nervous, rest assured you have company. Because a candy buffet isn't free. Like any other "wow" aspect of a wedding, it's part of your overall investment. And while the waitstaff might pass the hors d'oeuvres and the venue lay out the linens, you could be on your own when it's time to design the candy buffet.
But not to worry: here are some tips from the pros for translating that bountiful delight in your head into a mouth-watering reality at your wedding.
The Secret to Sweetness
Scan all those photos of candy buffets throughout the web, and you'll quickly spot two things.
One, buffets are monstrously popular. And two, while some are a feast for the eyes, others seem to fall short of the heights their planners must have hoped for.
So what's the secret?
Here's number one: buying enough candy. Sounds simplistic, but it's key.
"The first thing I tell brides — you really can't do candy as a hard commodity. It's more a decoration," says Jon Prince, president of online candy giant CandyFavorites.com.
"I talk to hundreds of brides. They'll say, 'I'm having 200 guests, and I want to give each guest 3 ounces, so I guess I need about 37 pounds of candy.' Sounds reasonable, and 3 ounces might be enough to actually satisfy your guests, but visually? It won't be enough to make a presence."
Prince suggests that instead of seeing candy by the numbers, brides take an aesthetic approach. "You choose the flowers because they're beautiful," he says. "The candy buffet should be too."
And unlike flowers, Prince adds, candy serves double duty as an edible item. "Still, you have to budget the candy buffet into your wedding expenses. It doesn't work well as an afterthought."
But what about the wedding planners who suggest buying a pound of candy per person?
Prince says buffets work best when you plan by the eye, not the numbers.
"To make it look gorgeous, I'd start with the table, not the guest count. I'd take five to 10 types of candy, and buy 15 to 20 pounds each, whether you actually need that much or not."
He adds, "When it comes to candy, the more the merrier. If you have a large table overflowing with candy, you have presence. The biggest disappointment I hear is that the candy buffet didn't look substantial."
Like a Kid in a Candy Store? Here's What to Buy
Okay, so now you have a handle on those numbers. But between the heaping bins at upscale food markets and the galaxies of candy choices online, which temptations do you choose?There aren't any hard-and-fast rules, says Prince.
Not really, he says. Instead, it's the season's colors and themes that are driving brides' choices.
To illustrate, Prince describes an all-white Miami wedding where the couple set up 20 to 30 pounds each of white candies, placing the unwrapped varieties in jars, martini glasses and other interesting containers, and piling custom-wrapped mint rolls in front. "It looked fantastic," he says.
Mark Kingsdorf of The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants concurs: it's the themes that shape candy buffets. "And like everything else in weddings, candy buffets are getting more and more personalized, with more and more variations.
"Of course, 'Everything old is new again,'" he adds. "So you see things like retro candy buffets. At one wedding we did the candy bracelets and necklaces on the elastic cords; the little waxed bottles filled by sugar water.
"There are very few themes you can't do with candy. Beach weddings are fun, with all those boardwalk choices: saltwater taffy, caramel apples, fudge, peanut brittle."
"I like to focus," explains Prince, "but the focus can be anything. Candies you personally like, or a theme, or a texture. If you're having an all-white wedding, you'll want an all-white candy buffet. If you're having a destination wedding in an exotic location, you could choose dramatic, Caribbean types: Island Punch Jelly Belly beans.
"In the end, you want 'presence.' Mies van de Rohe once said 'Less is more,' but he definitely wasn't talking about candy buffets."
Fashion a Feast for the Eye
You're set. You've narrowed down your choices... and you've got the goods. Now how do you add those visual touches that turn your buffet from "aww" to "jaw-dropping"?
"Basically — and this is a good idea — the couple matched their candy containers to their floral vases."
Don't have quite that much fine crystal waiting in the wings? Here's a budget-friendly alternative from Kingsdorf. "Find some interesting containers: different shapes, different heights. Personally, I've used a dozen different containers from Ikea, and the most expensive one was about $10."
He adds that clear containers are best, to show off the contents, and that container mouths should be wide enough for the scoops.
"A nice bunching fabric gives you spill and texture. Put some of your containers on top of that."
The final touch? A floral arrangement. Or more cheaply, some complementary pillar candles in your wedding colors.
Kingsdorf adds that your most personal touch could be the candy bags. "At one of the weddings I did recently, the couple went to a dollar store and got a bunch of takeout containers in red, one of their colors.
"They personalized each container with a little sticker, which was inexpensive and very cute. Anyone could do the same thing: use a tag or little rubber stamp, or stickers.
"Just find a way to add that custom touch."
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (for Candy)
So why are candy buffets so sizzling hot these days, anyway?
Simple: they're a huge hit with guests. "Favors can be a tough choice," points out Kingsdorf. "Depending on your guests, you might find yourself picking up a ton of personalized CDs or bottle stoppers at the end of the night. But when it's edible, people eat it ... or take it home. I think a lot of brides are cueing into that."
Prince adds, "It's just a trend people are enjoying right now.
"But when you really dig down," he muses, "it's not about the product at all. It's about nostalgia.
"In a lot of weddings, two people are taking a major step toward adulthood. The candy buffet lets them connect back to any fond memories they have of childhood.
"Candy is powerfully reminiscent," he concludes.
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I am having a may wedding in 2010. Any ideas to make my candy buffet table go with the month of may? All the other seasons are so easy to decorate and with spring I am just having trouble thinking of ideas! Maybe I am just thinking too much, I don’t know! Any help would really be appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Jessica,
Actually May is great month. With Easter just a couple of weeks before, take advantage of the candy clearance sales at WalMart, Target, and your local grocery store. Easter has so many colors, something’s gotta match with your theme!
Okay, I must be old . . . I immediately thought of a Maypole (see photos). Basically, it’s a pole with streamers of various colors and a each child holds a ribbon and they dance in opposite directions, weaving in and out until the streamers are “braided”.
(See photos) It could be used as a very colorful addition to a candy buffet. Get a broom stick, paint it white, put it in a clay pot full of plaster of paris, add ribbons and flowers-viola! a maypole! Go to
http://www.rosiespitutorials.com/piimages4/maypmain.jpg
for a clear image of a maypole. Use ribbon and flowers that compliment your wedding colors.
Also, consider a garden theme . . . bright spring flowers, a green table cloth, a kite as a table decoration. Use a lot of pastel candy and maybe some bright yellow for a “sunny” look.
Hey everyone i just wanted to let you all know that if anyone is interested i have leftover candy for sale from my candy buffet at my wedding 2 weeks ago. All of it that isn’t still in the original bags has been stored in ziploc bags, and was just bough a little over 2 weeks ago. My wedding was saturday october 17, and the candy was bought on the 15th. If anyone is interested you can email me and i can give you a list of what i have.
Email - jenluvssteven19@gmail.com
Id love to hear any suggestions on what candy we should use for a camo wedding…yes camo.
http://www.candywarehouse.com has camo gumball and wrapped mints. I would go with a simple OD green tablecloth (just use fabric, drape it to the floor) and use simple glass jars and find some thin camo ribbon and use it to decorate the jars (I think it would be cute for the jars to have sweet little bows on them!) Use green candy (mint and sour apple)
and maybe mix in some gold wrapped candy (rolos, mini reese’s cups, etc) Also, I think I’ve seen some
camo balloons . . . use a small bouquet to decorate the table. My advice . . . keep it simple, simple, simple.
found on ebay — camo balloons
can someone please help, I am trying to start a candy buffet business and I already have all my supplies and I did a practice one for my daughters birthday party everything was very nice and the kids and adults alike liked it, I need to know how much to charge if I do this as a business, I bought way too much candy but set it up at a church event with about 50 kids and still had tons left over, I am going to use the left overs for a school dance coming up and for little bags to give out at halloween, so I definetely don’t know how much candy to buy either, but at least I now know which type candies kids like the most!
any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, please help! sherry
Hey everyone! I am throwing a baby shower for a close friend of mine. There will be about 35 guests. I am trying to do this on a tight budget. The whole shower is done in different shades of pink. I had a couple of questions. 1- does anyone know where I can buy pink candy? The shower is in 2 weeks. 2- how much candy should I get? 3- I bought pink boxes for the guests to fill. They look a little small. Is there a guidline for how much candy each person should get. Thanks for your help
You’re in luck! This is breast cancer awareness month and their should be pink candy available. Look for hershey’s kisses, jelly beans and other candy in your local grocery store. You might want to mix white and or silver candy in with the pink (too much of one color can be a little “too much”.) There is no guideline for how much each person should get. I’ve been to showers and weddings where I’ve gotten 2 little pieces of candy in a favor box. Just make sure your candy isn’t all sour or all chocolate or all chewy. Use a small table so that you don’t have a lot of empty space. Also, consider putting pink frosted brownies or cupcakes on the table to “fill in”.
Here’s a photo of a pink and white candy buffet.
I hope it helps.
I do candy and dessert buffets and I just finished doing one for a bride that lost her mother to breast cancer. All in pink. Below is a link to a wedding coordinator’s blog that took some pictures.
http://aflawlessblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/ariel-and-riccos-sweet-celebration-of.html
I loved the candy Buffet. I have all the glass jars but I am having a very difficult time finding pink candy to fill them with. Do you have any suggestions as to where I might be able to find candy. I thought it would be easier considering it is Breast Cancer Awarness month but the only thing I could find where pink M&M’s. Thank you for your help!
anyone know a good online source to buy the pretty glass candy jars? thanks!
I have found a few places online to purchase glass jars (apothecary and others) at reasonable prices. http://www.Save-on-crafts.com, Target.com and Wal-mart.com Target and Walmart basically have the same silver lided glass candy store style jar, Targets 2 jars are a few cents more but for some reason I like them just a little more than Wal-marts.
HOBBY LOBBY has tons of awesome glass jars of all shapes and sizes.
TJ Maxx had a lot to choose from and at VERY reasonable prices.
DO YOU LADIES KNOW WHERE I CAN GET THE SIGNS FROM FOR THE CANDY TABLE LIKE TO PUT AROUND THE JARS W/ THE REALLY PRETTY RIBBON!!!???
Usually, they are homemade (unless you’re rich!)
I usually use PrintShop to print the signs on mailing labels (they come in different sizes, or you can get
round labels). Then I stick them to cardstock in a coordinating color (see the scrapbook section of any craft store). Then tie cut ribbon around the jars - I usually use glue dots (also, in the scrapbooking section). Or cut pieces of cardstock and make “tents” (like they use for escort cards) and place them in front of the jars.
I am posting a photo of a label I made with Printshop- it took me about 90 seconds to design, I would keep the same logo on each sticker (The Monogram J, with lovebirds) and just change the candy name). All I would have to do is adhere it to cardstock. If you aren’t fimiliar with printshop, find
someone who is and a crafty friend. Just made sure you’re using ribbon that is the correct size for the jars and not to distracting . . . the colors of the candy are decoration enough . . . a ribbon that is too wide and/or with too bold a pattern can ruin the look of your table.
THANK YOU SO MUCH NANCY YOUR ARE AN ANGEL!!!!!
I am trying to create a Dr.Suess Cat in The Hat Candy Buffet for my sisters baby shower, and I am looking for any helpful creative ideas. I have looked and looked but most all candy buffets are for weddings. My colors of choice for the Candy is blue and red. I have jars that i purchased at Ross at great prices, but I need ideas to decorate. Thanks and I am anxious for your comments!!!
Sounds like a cool theme! I would do all your candy name tags in red & white stripes with blue font for the name of the candy.
I’ve included a couple pictures you could use on the candy containers too.
Make sure to include some white candy as well, as red & white and blue are the cat in the hat colors. Red licorice, red hot lips, red feet, red sweedish berries, blue whales, there are all sorts of candies you can use! Good luck! & post some pics when you are done!
Try looking for some red and white ribbon to make bows for the table (I know Hobby Lobby Stores
have their Christmas ribbon out . . . they have large rolls of ribbon with stripes for $9.99). Also, check out the party section of stores or a store like Party City . . . they may have Dr. Suess napkins you could put out or goody bags that you could use. They may also have Cat in the Hat balloons. . .if not, use a small group of red and white balloons on one side of the table. You may even be able to find a Cat pinata you could put on the table. Have the person who is attending the buffet wear a Cat Hat and a red bow tie. Try to find a Cat in the Hat coloring book . . . have some kids color them in and hang the pages on the front of the table.
2 more ideas: if you are using bags for the candy, find some Cat in the Hat stickers to use to seal them. Also, go out and get a fish bowl (circular, with flat sides) and fill it with red swedish fish candy . . . remember the book? A red fish was the one who spoke to the cat!
You can use the candy in the colors you have selected and just do a cat and the hat around it to tie it together like the picture..
Have you had the baby shower yet? I’m curious to know how everything turned out.
Oh thank God I found all this! Here in England lots of people havent even heard of candy bars/sweetie bars, so Im really excited about doing one for my big day. I havent heard of most of the sweets you mention except from M&M’s, but theres so many ideas on here!! I want popcorn, candy floss, toffee apples, giant swirly lollies, and Im putting bright gold material under everything. Only thing is an attendant, I cant really ask a guest to do it lol! I would advise having the candy bar open later than the buffet too, or no-one will eat the sandwiches
HEY LADIES I AM HAVING A CANDY BUFFET AT MY WEDDING RECEPTION AND I WANTED TO KNOW IF ANY ONE CAN HELP ME ON FINDING JARS AND SCOOPS I REALLY WANT GLASS JARS AND I’M THINKING OF HAVING SILVER SCOOPS, AND WE ARE HAVING ABOUT 160 PEOPLE TO ATTEND HOW MUCH CANDY DO I GET? AND I WANT TO GET THOSE “CEELO BAGS”AND PUT A STICKER OF SOME SORT ON THEM, I WANT TO HAVE ABOUT 12 JARS!!! BECAUSE I DONT WANT IT TO LOOK EMPTY OR CHEESE’E!! CAN SOMEONE HELP PLEASE!!!!!!
OH AND ONE MORE THING WHERE OR HOW CAN I GET THOSE CARDS TO PUT ON THE FRONT OF THE CANDY JARS TO STATE WHAT CANDY IS IN THE JAR???
where are you located? I have jars for sale if you are in Maryland. Glass jars I used at my wedding
Hi, I’m in DE…how many jars do you have and how much are you selling them for?
Hello,
I’m in maryland and would like to purchase the jars if not already sold.
email me at apples20785@aol.com
Old Time Pottery has LOTS of big glass jars with and without lids for very reasonable prices.
IKEA also has lots of glass containers- wide mouth vases work well.
OH THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH TRACEY I DIDNT EVEN THINK OF IKEA!!!!
I bought some jars at dollar tree and at michaels. I got scoops at Michaels too!! I’m having about 180 at our wedding next week and got 65lbs of candy. Hope this helps.
YES I WENT TO MICHAELS AND FOUND ABOUT 8 JARS OF ALL DIFF. SIZES AND SHAPES I LOVE THEM!!!! THANK YOU AND I FOUND MT SCOOPS FROM THERE ASWELL THE SILVER ONES W/ THE HEART ON THE HANDLE I’M THINKING ABOUT TIEING LITTLE BOWS AROUND THE HANDLE AS WELL TO MUCH MY WEDDING COLORS.
I have approx. 12-13 candy jars, surplus candy, scoops and signs for the surplus candy that are in tiffany blue and white/cream. If anyone is interested in purchasing this let me know. I am located in Toronto, Canada.
Do you have photos of the jars, scoops and signs?
Hi shannon from toronto, canada
Are your scoops and jars and candy still available for purchase?
Thanks
We are having a candy buffet at my daughter’s wedding and I went to the Salvation Army Store in town. They had so many different jars, I couldn’t believe it. And they were about $2.00 each. After the wedding I will just donate them back. I imagine that many thrift stores or resale shops would have some. and cheap!
i am also doing a candy buffet for my September 13th wedding, i chose a mixed theme, my colors are canary yellow and sea foam green so i purchased jelly beans,lemon heads,mm’s, fruit slices and such in yellow and green, yet i incorporated all colors into it aswell to add some color, gummy bears, jordan almonds,lollipops,sixlets,twizzlers and such.
i have about 13-14 candy jars in all shapes and sizes, some with lids and some with out, as well as 13 crome candy scoops with two hearts and diamonds on them, after i use them i would be willing to see them to anyone who needs them at a decent price just email me and let me know jbernstein@healeybrothers.com, after my candy station i will post a picture for you to see them.
I typed out my worksheet that I use for organizing a candy buffet into photoshop so that I can upload copies to you. This is a very neat version of what I put down on paper when I do a candy buffet. Usually, I use a notebook, but now I print a sheet like this out, and after filling it out, I punch holes in it and put it in a three ring folder. I keep my receipts and notes in the pockets of the folder. I hope this helps those who are planning a buffet.
Here are versions of the same 3 forms, that I have filled out for my niece’s baby shower. I hope you find some of this helpful.
I added something new to my candy buffets . . .
honey straws (sometimes called honey stix) . . . they come in LOTS of flavors. Just make sure that if you
put them on your buffet, you get containers that are
tall enough for them.
Found a website with lots of scoops!
http://www.scoops-scoops.com
Check it out!
This past weekend I planned an awesome engagement party that featured a candy/dessert buffet. The theme was Rasberries, Chocolate and Chandeliers. We were able to tie in every element throughout the party and the buffet. We used monogram stickers on white toothpicks and stuck them in the cupcakes, came out very nice. We stuck with Rasberry themed candy, even the chocalates. We featured a few things with metallic colored fuschia wrappers that came out great, check out the link for a look at the buffet
Very Pretty!
I am interested in starting my own candy buffet as well. I am well on my way. I have plenty of different shaped jars, vases and bowls. What I am confused about is how do you charge and how do you write a contract for this type of service?
Hi Dana , I was reading the email for Favor Ideas and saw your comment about charging & contract. would you please share this infor, with me also . Im also is try to start a candy buffet bussiness and is at he very basic of just buying the jars.
please share
Marie
Hi Dana, I was wondering if anyone has answered your request about contracts. I am looking to start my own candy buffet business and wouldn’t know how to word the contract. You can email me debpellegrino2005@yahoo.com with any help you can give me. I would be appreciated!!!
I was just wondering if anyone has returned a response to your question?? Im also trying to start a business and was kinda wondering the same question?? What state are you from??
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Hello - I own and run an event services business that does candy buffets. I would be happy to provide tips & help to anyone that doesn’t live in my area. If you email me and let me know where you’re from, I’ll certainly help you :-)
Raising.the.Bar@hotmail.com
Devin
what do you do if some guests are rude and hog the table…. this happened at my shower with the dessert table and i am scared it will happen with the candy buffet. Is there a sign or something…. it was shocking to see these guest take so much and not care about the other guest behide them. please help
I would have an attendant help with the younger guest and politely remind any adult guest that there are other guest so be mindful. Maybe have the attendant hand them containers as well so that they only get one and if they need other for a child then they will need to ask for a additional one.
1) have plenty of attendants, one to hand out containers (which should be kept out of reach of guests so they aren’t helping themselves), one to assist kids and those who might need a litle help (older guests, your cousin with the broken arm, etc.) and one
to refill, clean up, and keep every one in line.
2) have the DJ announce that when the candy buffet
opens, guests will be called BY TABLE NUMBER! and
have him announce the tables in order. (He can play
“Sugar, Sugar” by the Archies)
3)Place the buffet up against a wall so guests can’t
sneak around to the rear.
4)Rent stantions (see photo)
5)Buy clear 4×6 frames at Dollar General (or Family Dollar, I always get them mixed up). Create a little
4×6″ sign and place one on each table. I used
adobe photoshop, but you could use printshop or something similar. (See photo) I hope you can make it out clearly.
6)My best advise, is have someone at the front
handing out containers, and someone at the rear
keeping others from returning. If you are using containers that you can write on, have markers available so people can put their names on them.
7)Relax about it, you can’t make your relatives into
elegant guests, do the best you can, and enjoy the
reception.
I found this sign and thought about you.
Cute sign!
Hi Tina, where can I found the clear boxs
I am interested in purchasing jars & fun looking vases for my candy buffet. I have a few months left, just wondering if anyone has any jars, scoops or vases they are interested in sellling? You can email me at jmtaylor218@yahoo.com. Thanks so much!!!
Hey I am so excited about doing a candy buffet! I was wanting to mix some of my mom’s old china (Pattern is Star of David) and some silver tin buckets with stars on them (stars is my theme). Would this look okay? Also what kind of candy can I find in red, silver, and turquoise (aqua tiffany blue, etc)? Thanks so much!
Anything tasteful goes. This sounds like it would be great, combing a theme with a family tradition. Many of the on-line sites have chocolate stars wrapped in silver foil. How about adding those to a glass bowl or dish? just search wedding or bulk candy.
i know this doesnt have anything to do with the candy you are looking for, but i did find something that i thought might go good with your star of david theme….
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&BRN=1&SKU=13375208&RN=714&
if for some reason the link doesnt work, they are star of david place card holders, at bed bath and beyond.
Timing for fresh candy? As a budget conscious bride to be, (as most of us are now-a-days), I cannot buy all of my candy at once. Does anyone have suggestions on what to buy first, and how far in advance can I do this? I know that I will buy the Hershey kisses last for fresh chocolate. What about the jelly beans, butter mints, m&m’s, champange bubbles. Any suggestions? What worked for you? I have 14 months to get this all together. I am also looking for white, green and silver candy suggestions. Thanks!
Go to http://www.candywarehouse.com. Type in what colors you
like, and they will display all the candy they have in those colors. Even if you don’t order the candy from them, you can
easily get ideas . . . saving you about 50 trips to various stores.
I strongly recommend jotting down the cost of each item your
interested in purchasing, so you can comparision shop.
Go to the sight and click on “wedding”, and then click to watch their 4 minute video about candy buffets. Then in the column to the left click on the other candy warehouse video about
decorating with candy. Candy warehouse also has a wish list,
sort of a “registry” for candy . . . if your sister in law wants to
pony up some $$ for silver jordan almonds, let her! Also,
it’s an easy way to keep track of what you’ve already got.
As far as storing candy, hard, wrapped candy can be stored
for a year. Gum, 3 months. Mints can get soggy if stored more than 3 months. I assume your getting married in September
next year . . . which means you’d be storing candy through another long hot summer. If it’s possible, set aside $$ in a
separate bank account and purchase all your candy about one
month before the wedding. If not, keep all the candy in original bags, then in a zip type gallon bag (to keep out critters).
Don’t put them in a basement or an attic! A closet in a hallway
is usually okay, but not anywhere near a radiator or a heat register or a fireplace or a spaceheater or a bathroom (steam from the shower!) I use those plactic box storage containers
(Which will be going on SALE NOW!!! for the collage students
who are going back to school). These containers stack easily
and come in various sizes. Again, I know it’s difficult when you’re trying to budget, but try to wait until a little closer to
the wedding, the worst thing could happen is spending $ and
having all your candy go stale and having to buy more.
If you have room to store you glass containers, try to buy those a few at a time, along with scoops, tongs, and any special decorations you might want for the buffet.
I found the M&M’s cheaper at Michael’s craft store so I was able to buy them last. I ordered most of my candy from metrocandy.com. Items like malt balls, key lime cookies and rock candy sticks were special ordered and they told me the time to allow for these items. Metro Candy offers 10% off your first order. All of my candy shipped within a week except for the special ordered items.