How Sweet It Is: Building the Candy Buffet of Your Dreams
So — you've caught the candy buffet bug.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.
- The Secret to Sweetness
- Seducing the Eye
- An Aesthetic Equation
- Like a Kid in a Candy Store? Here's What to Buy
- The Theme's the Thing
- Retro Revivals
- Amplifying Your Style
- Fashion a Feast for the Eye
- Regal Crystal
- Affordable Alternatives
- Pro Planners' Tricks for Better Buffets
- Don't Forget the Take-Away
- It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (for Candy)
- Comments (1221)
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.
Seducing the Eye
"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."
An Aesthetic Equation
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 personal themes that are driving brides' choices.
The Theme's the Thing
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.
Retro Revivals
"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."
Amplifying Your Style
"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"?Regal Crystal
For starters: choose cool containers. "One of the more striking displays I've seen put the candy in William Yeoward and Baccarat," says Prince."Basically — and this is a good idea — the couple matched their candy containers to their floral vases."
Affordable Alternatives
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.
Pro Planners' Tricks for Better Buffets
"To make the whole look pop, raise some of those containers on the table." Kingsdorf explains an old catering trick is to take a catering rack or a milk crate — "the kind that restaurants and supermarkets get their milk delivered in" — turn it upside down on the table, and cover with a cloth."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.
Don't Forget the Take-Away
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.
I didn’t realize the candy buffet was popular with weddings- my daughter decided to go with a candy theme for her “sweet” 16 birthday bash in February. About 100 friends and family will be invited. At first she thought it would be babyish- she was glad to see this website.
We decided to select eight candies that reflect phases, aspects and aspirations of and for her life. For example, since music has been important in her life- she plays the flute, one jar will be full of Whistle Pops. We are also doing Now and Laters for friends now and in the future, Nerds for being smart, candy canes for Christian faith, Sweet Tarts and/or Jawbreakers because life can sometimes be hard and sour, but also sweet and finally candy necklaces, bracelets, lipstick and ring pops- all things girly!I even found a company in that makes chocolate coins using fair trade chocolate grown by farmers in Ghana-these will represent her African heritage, future prosperity and social consciousness. Each candy will be displayed on a small table with a picture of her at different ages and a candle to light in a candle lighting ceremony.
I found a website for CCW Plastics that sells clear plastic hex jars (the kind that sit on their sides-similar to penny candy jar above) in small quantities. The large gallon size I need for our displays come 8 for $22.
We decided to use the small brown penny candy bags for folks to put their candies in. We’ll fold down the top to make a kind of cuff, punch a hole in the cuff and thread multi colored pastel curling ribbons through the hole for an inexpensive, yet authentic favor bag. I think I can get 100 of these bags for $5.
Finally for decorations I bought some of those large twisty citronella torches in candy colors during summer clearance at the craft store- a dollar a peice. I’ll attach some colored ribbons with straight pins and paint the sticks white so they look like oversized Unicorn Pops. Instead of regular baloons, we’ll decorate with those punch balloons- they are rounder than regular balloons and come in solids and swirls. they look like big gumballs or jawbreakers-they’ll look great all over the dance floor.
I still haven’t figured out table decorations yet-maybe lollipops in a sundae glass? I’ve tried to keep expense down by doing a lot of this myself since I have the time-ideas welcome.
Hi – we have a HUGE wedding of about 700+ guests.
How do I do this candy buffet thing in a reasonable way w/o spending CRAZY?
I need help finding the small packages to put the candy in, that way guests won’t feel free to take ALL the candy…
help!
a rough rule of thumb that I used (and worked very well) is to figure 1/4 lb of candy per person. Rembering to have wrapped and unwrapped because the wrapped will take up space in container.
Because nothing would be worse than running out of candy 
hope this helps you. i had bags i ordered and printed a label saying — “Love it’s the sweetest treat.” ( and our names plus the date under it)
—CANDY POEM—- (i printed this off my computer, cut it with fancy scissors and put three poems on each table)
As our way of saying thanks
For sharing with us our special day,
Please stop by candy table
Before you are on your way.
Use the little bag that
We have given you,
And fill it with treats
To make happy too!!!
Love ““ it’s the sweetest treat.
good luck
lisa
p.s. any other questions, please email me i know what it feels like to be under the pressure of planning a wedding and making sure that everything works out the way it should.
We are having a fall wedding so now is the perfect time to get candy. I am wondering a few things. Hoe are you decorating your gift boxes. We are using white take out boxes. What websites offer labels, etc? How much candy is god for 120 people. We are having 2 M&M colors 2 jelly belly bean flavors, chocolate pretzels, raisinets, lollipops, caramel kisses and candy corn. How many pounds for each of these? Any other candy ideas?
Well we had the August wedding (see below) and it went wonderful-the guest loved the candy jars–I had purchased candy for 300 people–wrapped and unwrapped–25 lb of blue raspberry gummies, 40 lb of wrapped peppermint patties, 10 lb of hershey cookie and cream (wrapped), 30 sleeves small almond joy bars, 30 lbs of jelly belly beans (3-10-lb of blue, white, and clear) , 8 bags wrapped mints from oriental trading 120 pcs per bag, 20 lb m&m’s, 5 lb of tootsie rolls, and 5 lb wrapped hard mints. We had 275 people but would have had just enough for 300. The wrapped candy took up space in the guest containers.
As far as chocolate in July–it would be a headache to make sure that it does not melt–even sitting in the sun chocolate will melt.
Make sure any candy you keep cool, out of the direct light and in a container to keep it fresh. Candy companies make candy way ahead–example Hershey Foods is starting to make Easter candy for next year about now. It is how you store it that is the key.
Candy buffet’s are a huge hit and can be lots of fun:D I wish you all the best and have fun–the day fly’s by so fast.
i’m having a candy buffet at my july 08 wedding for about 130 guests. i got several glass containers cheap at ikea. the guests will use white chinese take out boxes i got at cash & carry (like smart & y final) for about .07 a piece. much cheaper than any website I could find. i ordered a little monogram sticker on the front to dress them up. i would like to buy some candy after valentines day. should the chocolate candy stay good til july? anyone else using chocolate brown and raspberry pink as their colors?
hey abby
congrats on having 350+ guest (bless your soul) I had 250 guest and i had two of those big rubbermaid bins filled with candy and it went fast!!!! some people were being rude and packing their bags to the top and stuffing candy in their purses and pockets. i loved the idea of having a candy table because it was different and people liked it but be prepared it have rude people secretly taking more then they should. I had 7 different types of candy and about three bags of each ( big bags of the fun size candy from walmart or target) i suggest about six big bags of several different types of candy. if you think you have enough, go out and buy a big rubbermaid container and filled that with candy (just in case) and have it hidden off to the side. hopefully if you are getting married before halloween, you can use the leftovers as candy for trick-or-treaters ( if not, then you could just eat it!!!!) good luck, any questions, let me know
lisa ( heybabe95@aol.com) I have a cute poem if you need it too!!!
I have started buying the candy for my candy buffet. I am planning on just fun old school candy – MMs, skittles, kisses, laffy taffy, red hots, etc. We are planning on 350+ guest…Any recommendations on how many pounds of candy???
Thanks
A cute idea for a favor on the candy bar is individual white plastic spoons with 2 Hershey’s silver foil wrapped kisses attached to the bowl of each spoon, with a thin satin bow and typed poem attached to the handle which reads:
Thank you for coming–with a couple of kisses
to see (groom’s name) and (bride’s name) become Mr. and Mrs.
We’re having a candy buffet at my daughter’s weddding, but I think we’re going to display it after the dinner and right before people start to leave. That will be one of their favors, along with candy kisses strewn on the table tops. What do you think?
My son is getting married in August 2007. He and his future bride love candy so we are doing a sort of candy bar. The candy jars are being used as center pieces. This way the guests can go to the table they see their favorite candy and talk with the other guest at that table while filling their candy box. Canning jars were going to be used but the bottom line is that most people will probably not use the container once it is empty and throw it away. So why throw money away–(use that money toward more candy) at the Dollar store they have several different styles of boxes for .10 each (10 in package everything a $1.00) (-: Oriental trading has mints in a package “Thank you for sharing our day” also tux and bridal gown mix these up and they fill the container quickly. Also as their colors are blue, silver, — white jelly beans of blue, clear and white will be all mixed together to add color. I found peppermint patties in shape of hearts at our local grocery store. I will be getting M&M (blue and white) and found other candy in their colors. Can’t wait to see how the 300 guests will like it.
Elizebeth for your November wedding you could do your chocolates (malted balls, choc covered peanuts, choc pretzels etc) as the weather is cool. Use your fall colors with flowers, ribbons etc through out your display. If you cannot find enough candies with those colors.
Was helping my Bother in-law and his future wife to be…with their wedding. Really liked the idea of the candy buffet, decieded to make up my own poem, because I couldn’t really find one that I liked. Thought maybe someone might be having the same problem…and may be interested!
Please grab some sweets and help yourselves,
these are just for you.
Some little snacks you’ll surely enjoy
for helping make our dreams come true!
We’re having a candy buffet for our wedding in April 2008 – another good idea for bulk candy is a wholesale chain store such as BJs or Costco. Also, craft stores are great for buying glass containers in all shapes & sizes. If anyone is looking for personalized candy& colors for their buffet, check out hersheys.com & m-ms.com. Each have a number of ideas
i had the wedding candy table for my wedding last month, it was a hit!!! My only suggestion is — make sure you have enough candy. I look over this website and they say it several times to make sure you have enough, I thought i did. I had 250 guests at my wedding and went to Target to buy the candy. I used some of the gift cards we got from the wedding shower because we had so many of them. I bought at least 4 bags of each type of candy ( i had 7 different types of candys-m&m’s, snickers, butterfingers, hershey kisses, starburst, jolly ranchers, lifesavers) dont’t forget some people don’t like chocolate. So I spent almost $200 on candy and thought that i went over board and that my husband and I would be eating candy for months. NO!!!!!! The candy was gone right after dinner with at least 1/3 not getting candy. I ordered candy bags from oriental trading company. It was a great buy, they were a small 2x3x4 (I think) bag. People had that filled and were grabbing more candy. I felt bad for the people who did not get some candy. MY ADVISE – either make up a little sign that says “Please only take a little bit of candy” or buy at least 8 bags of the fun size candys but in several different choices. Good Luck!!!!!
I plan on a candy buffet for my wedding next summer with a blue, white and brown theme. Here are some great bulk candy sites:
http://www.groovycandies.com/
“The knot” has this message board with more candy buffet pictures:
http://www.theknot.com/co_profileview.htm?profilename=candybuffet&MsdVisit=1
And one last idea I was thining of doing that you may like is giving a candy scoop as a favor with a tag to double as a place card. There are many sites that offer aluminum candy scoops for about $2 each!!!
HELP! Does anyone know where to get the old fashioned looking candyshop jars?
I am getting married November 3, 2007. We are doing a candy buffet also, and I got plastic cellophane bags over the internet. It was like 100 for $12, good deal. We are doing a Hollywood/Movie theme, so our bags have gold and silver stars on them. I went to papermart.com. They have many different styles, colors and sizes. Hope this helps.
We not only want our guests to take some home we want them nibbling during the reception. At Walmart on the Wilton aisle, they had the little throw away paper cups for cupcakes…the cups are silver and white…perfect for us. Really cheap. They can fill up a cup take it to the table, come back for more, fill up another cup…Maybe we will fill some little bags to put by each placesetting for the favors…the thoughts are endless!
Hi,
I love the idea! I plan to do a candy buffet at my wedding in may 08. I’ve been looking at other people’s ideas, and most people put out a sign, or a frame with a saying in it….like, “Love Sweet Love” or I saw one that said, “Grab a bag, fill it up, enjoy the sugar buzz & remember, love is sweet” but you could make up a cute little message and put it in a fancy frame or something.
I am doing a candy buffet at my wedding but i need help coming up with a clever way of telling people about it. does anybody have any suggetions of a poem that i could put out to tell people about taking some candy home with them????? please help
I love the idea of a candy buffet. I am having about 20 jars (100 guests) which is WAY more then I need but oh well, lol. If you set it up with little scoops and bags easily available, people will get the hint quite quickly.
I was thinking of doing the candy buffet, but I have no idea how many containers do you need and what kind of bags and how to display so that guest no what to do with it, any tips??
Elizabeth- my date is 4/28/07 and im doing a CB I hit up VD and Easter sales. Halloween candy will be out in Sept/Oct. just in time for your wedding with the colors your looking for.
Im planning on a candy buffet for 130 guests. I would like to use the chinese takeout container idea but im not sure of the correct size to use or were to buy. Any hepl would be great.
I could use some candy ideas. The big day is on November 10, 2007 and we are going for a fall themed wedding. The colors are very rustic, crimson, burnt orange, browns, yellows etc. Any ideas? Thanks.
Hi. I’m a total sugar junkie, so I’ll see what I can think of.
For starry night, oooh, gorgeous! I don’t know your colors, but I’l thinking jelly bellies in blues, yellows, and oranges–flavors will vary, but they’ve got every color of the rainbow and more. And gold-foiled chocolates, maybe the jars centered around a print of Van Gogh’s–I’m thinking the sidewalk cafe one with the luscious yellow and deep blue, but can’t remember the title! The colors are similar but even more intense, with the yellow awning and the navy sky– I was thinking candles interspersed with the candy containers, but no–between the melting and the threat of catching sleeves on fire. How about white string lighting covered with tulle or other semi-sheer fabric winding around the jars? And as a vague reference to Vincent’s years in Arles, perhaps the French names for your candies on the labels, but of course with the English underneath.
Oh. And if you have the horrid off-color sense of humor I have, I can tell you that there are gummi ears out there….
Hokay. The champagne/latte colors. Also! Jelly Bellies. They’re so freakin’ awesome ( I swear I don’t work for them. Am just the hugest fan, tho-). Again, foiled chocolates, in gold or silver, whichever matches your theme better, white lollies in cream soda, butterscotch, even root beer or chocolate–I’m thinking the dumdums, which everyone seems to love but no one seems to remember until they see them. It may take buying a few bags and digging thru to sort, but man, they’re cheap. Or maybe you can buy large amounts of certain flavors/types if you contact the company–I think it’s dumdumpops.com. Anything chocolate covered; the dark brown with beautifully echo your choice in colors. Oooh! Also coffee drops. I think Pearsons? Pearmans? They have them at discount stores, for sure Kmarts around here. And toffees.
And! For our candy buffet, we have canning jars for guests to fill, with labels and fabric-covered lids–hand-made by me, cuz I’m anal–but I’ve also seen the chinese-take-out containers in tons of colors, little tins from the dollar store, little bags made of everything from celophane to fabric to decorated brown bags, and even vintage tea cups and coffee mugs collected from local resale and thrift stores (my best friend had the McDonald’s sunshine coffee mug from the 70′s she found in bulk at a local St. Vincents for her very over-the-top disco-accented wedding)…
I hope this helps–Good luck, and congratulations!
I am getting married in June and my theme is Van Gogh’s a starry night – any candy or container ideas?
I love the candy buffet idea! I am trying to figure out how I can incorperate it into my wedding. I am so excited. We are getting married in June but have a latte/champange color dresses. Totally NOT a spring/summer color but colors we LOVE. Any suggestions and what types of candies to buy and how to make it lovely?!! :-?
question doesnt a candy buffet need some kind
of cup or plate or napkin or something so if you
have 10 dishes to choose from and want one or more?
Thanks for the info, Michelle! I am definitely saving this link so I can refer back to it. Looks like I can order a lot of the candy we need around February before it gets too hot. Since we are doing a pink candy buffet, I hope to find a lot of items we can use around Valentine’s Day.
Tina
forgot the pics!