How to Create a Candy Buffet

Who says kids have to have all the fun?  You certainly do not have to be a kid to love candy.  Looking for a fun alternative to the traditional Jordon almonds wrapped in tulle netting at your wedding? Create the crowd pleasing Candy Buffet. Everyone’s inner kid comes out when there is a candy display at weddings. I can attest that I have seen people come to the candy display 3 and 4 times in a night, some even tell other guests a strategy on how to fill the container the best way to make sure it is filled to the brim. Here are my tricks on how to create the perfect Candy Buffet for your wedding. I promise… guests won’t leave this favor behind.

Here is a bit of an article that I had featured in Newport Wedding Magazine. Please get your copy today and see the whole article! 

Pick a color, and stick to it.   Candy comes in every color of the rainbow. Of course if your wedding theme is carnival, you may want all those colors, but sticking to 2 colors (same shade of color is good too) looks visually appealing. It could be your wedding colors, the couples favorite colors, college colors etc.

Pick a theme.  When I meet with my clients, I want to find out about them and some of their favorite things. Here is a great opportunity to let your personality shine. The candy buffet is a great “show piece” as I call it.  You can design this table around a favorite piece of art, an heirloom lace tablecloth that was great grandma’s, a souvenir you got on vacation, even your favorite hobby. The possibilities are endless.

How much? The best way to determine how much candy to get is to get your candy bag/box first. Take it to the grocery store and fill it with similar candy you are thinking of having at your wedding and weigh it. On average I determine ½ a pound of candy per guest. It sounds like a lot, but once you weigh chocolate (heavy) and weigh rock candy (light but bulky) your pouch will be filled before you know it. Lollipops also take up a lot of room.

Create the eye candy. Of course it is about the actual candy, but we see it first.  So choosing different sized vessels is key. Varying heights, different sizes, and different shapes make it visually stimulating. You can also create “eye candy” by having a backdrop to your candy buffet. Ribbon, wallpaper, fabric, tinsel, tissue paper…you name you it, it can make a great focal point.

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered.  Make sure you have signage or tags at each candy vessel so guests are aware of what they are stuffing in their loot bag.  If the candy has significance, write that down too. Guests love to learn little fun facts. Make sure there is at least 20 extra bags from the number of guests, you know for those guests that go up multiple times, and make sure there is something to seal the bag up with, so there is not a pound of chocolate kisses rolling around on the dance floor. Clear bags, boxes, take out containers, glassine bags, and fabric pouches all make for great candy containers. Personalizing them with labels gives it an added touch.  Make sure you don’t forget the scoops and tongs too. Most importantly, have fun with it and make sure your photographer captures some pictures of your “art”.