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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Soli,
I got mine from Papermart.com , Great prices..I believe they were 9 cents each and was the cheapest I could find them. Hope that Helps!
Also does anyone know where to find the cheapest m&ms by color? I have found that amazon has the cheapest jelly bellys by the 10lb box. But am looking for m&ms also, I dont want to spend the fortune thats on their website.
Does anyone know where you can kind the chinese take out boxes ? Thanks
Hi Heather, some ideas …
Containers? Popular places to find them are Michael’s, Ikea, Target, Walmart, thrift stores, RestockIt (online). Personally I think it looks best to get a variety of containers, different sizes and styles.
My thoughts on mixed M&Ms … this can look really great, but I think it looks best if you don’t mix them all together. Instead, I think a really professional (but easy) look is to layer them horizontally like sand art. Like, a white layer topped by a blue layer topped by another color. You can also do this vertically — looks really sharp. You just need a pretty wide-mouthed container and a paper divider you can stuff in there. Pour one color of candy on one side and a different color on the other and remove the barrier. Very chic. (But do this “on site” because it will probably shift a lot if you drive it somewhere!)
Here are a few pics that show the layering technique. With small candies you have a really solid base that you can then stick a few candy “flowers” in for even more zing … like giant old-fashioned lollipops, rock candy sticks, you name it. It looks wonderful.
HTH!
I am getting married in November. We are having a black and white wedding. We were going to do an assortment of M&Ms in all different colors. Do you all think it would look bad to have all the colors mixed together? Also where can I find containers in bulk?
Hi Maria
If you could get their information that would be great. Thanks
We were at a Rehearsal Dinner on Friday April 4, 2008 and the room and Candy Buffet were unbelievable. All Black/white polka dots with hot pink trim. I have been at a lot of events and never seen anything like this. I think the room was done by a company called Candy Buffet Sisters.They specialize in decorating and simply candy buffets. If anyone is interested, I think I can get their info. for you. The details were amazing.
Hi everyone,
I wanted to post a collection of really nice signs for candy buffets lurking in my folders.
What wording are you using for your candy buffet signs? Anyone want to share?
Hi ladies, I am having a tent wedding in August, lots of bright colors, and I really want to have a candy buffet, but the weather can get really hot so definitely no chocolate!
Does anyone have some suggestions for candy that won’t melt?
Hi Tammy, I’m having mine set up during the whole night. Instead of serving cocktails while we take our pictures the candy will be out for people to munch on. To me, if they eat it during desert, it’s not a big deal, maybe they don’t like cake, or they want to mix it with the cake. I’m going to have little bags and ties on the table so people can get their candy favors as they please. Some people won’t eat it, but I know the kids will enjoy it and might make having to be at a wedding all dressed up a bit easier for them and their parents. Also, just setting it up at the beginning of the day and letting it be makes one less thing that I have to worry about! You could cover it with some fabric if you wanted and then designate someone to uncover it at the time you want (ie, a server, wedding coordinator, bridesmaid, aunt, etc…) but I suggest having it open all night.
Hello,
I am getting married August 30th and am having a candy buffet which I am very excited about. I am curious if you have your candy buffet set up during the entire reception or if you set it up a couple hours before it ends so people dont eat it during desert. Also if you do have it set up for the entire wedding, how do you stop people from taking the candy until a certain time. Like do you cover it, or put something around it so people cant get to it, or just have the covers over the candy? What prevents people from taking it as they please until I want to start it for favors. Thanks so much!
These are GREAT IDEAS!!!!! LOVE IT!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!
THANKS
Cathy
Cathy, love those colors!
Some ideas for your buffet: I’m envisioning rhinestone buckles threaded with satin ribbon. Wide creme ribbon with narrower tangerine ribbon on top, and a sparkly rhinestone buckle/slider in the middle like picture one. These buckles come in squares, rectangles, heart shapes, circles, you name it — you can get them t craft stores. Then reverse the ribbon colors for variety, or add a third color here and there like salmon or pink or green …
Another thing you can do is add rhinestone trim (pic 2). This is sooo versatile … some designers put it on wedding cakes — you can also glue it under broad satin ribbon or cut off the visible backing and make draping “necklaces” for some of your jars.
Then, you could add sparkle to the candy itself by mixing in some silver foil candy (hershey’s kisses) and some rock candy swizzle sticks.
Don’t forget to create different levels for interest.
Finally, you could go over the top by suspending crystal chandelier beads from the ceiling (using fishing line, or organza ribbbon) over the display, alternating the beads with coordinating silk flower heads (like tangerine gerbers, if you’re using them). Or, you could dangle chandelier beads from things like candelabras or even a vase full of branches.
Hope this helps! :D>-
Cathy,
I love the sound of the tangerine with the cream. For your candy buffet you could mix those colors with with white and brown chocolate, or you could go with bright accent colors like fushia and lime.
To add some bling try having some edible gemstones which are available online and look very real. I’m actually using them on my cake.
Hi, I am getting married in september and my colors are tangerine and
accent with creme, but I love rhinestones and bling, so I have the girls dresses with a brooch of rhinestones, my invites will have rhinestones, plus the cake topper with rhinestones. I wanted to have a candy bar, so what colors could i use? and how would i go about decorating the table?is there a time frame of when the guests should have the candy or just whenever?:-?:P
Isn’t it illegal to possess those milk crates that the candy buffet mentions..to add height to you display? I’m just curious!..Says on the side of the crates that it is illegal to possess them and that you can receive a fine! Can you buy them?
Julie, you can try a craft store like Michael’s or maybe Joann Fabrics to find the letters. You’d have to paint them and decorate yourself though. Or, maybe eBay has something already done!
Do you know where to find “love sweet love” letters to hang above the table?
I am doing a candy buffet for my wedding in May. I found some great ways of saving money. If you get the Sunday or Wednesday newspapers there are usually 40% of coupons for Michaels craft store. That is where I got all of my jars, and bowls. I also got the candy scoops. They were 2 for $5.99. I collected as many of the coupons from my friends and family and used them for everything. This saved me even more money then ordering everything on line. I also got the frosted Chinese Take Out Containers and attached red and pink ribbons, since they are my colors. I also started looking for sales on Candies since it’s close to valentine’s day. Places like Target, or Walgreens, or even Walmart are having really great sales on Pink, and Red Candy.
I also ordered labels from MyOwnLabels.com to put on the take out containers. This website has a ton of great ideas. I am also doing another favor. We are making a Midnight Snack. I ordered bottle carriers, just like the ones that hold beer, or the bottles of soda, and will be filling them with cookies and donuts, and bottles of starbucks coffee. This way the guests can have a snack on the way home or the next morning.
Claire, aside from the official M&Ms site you might want to try your local upscale grocery store. Here we have Wegman’s, which at least in some stores offers a sorted color M&Ms dispenser in the candy section. I believe it’s a TON cheaper than ordering online, mainly because of the shipping.
Yvonne — try Candy Warehouse. They are too cool. Hit the yellow “Colors” tab on top and you can search by blue, white, pink, gold, you name it. Or if go here and on the left side you can look for candy by theme, like Beach, Autumn, Christmas, Patriotic, you name it. Great for ideas!!
Hi Hayle, I think that would be adorable! The shovels idea will look great. Just FYI, I posted some pics of a couple that used plastic pails for their centerpieces, and believe it or not it was incredibly cute:
casual beach wedding
And attached are a few pics from another beach wedding with a candy buffet by cabot’s trails, some cute touches, thought you might enjoy.