Candy Buffet Table 101 | Toledo Wedding Planner | Perrysburg Wedding Planner

Candy Buffet Table 101

A candy table can be a whimsical addition to your reception, or act as playful and interactive favors. Here are some tips to get you started!

Presentation

Use a color scheme that matches your wedding palette: wedding colors aren’t just for the flowers and bridesmaids dresses! Taking advantage of the colors you’ve already established can enhance your candy table’s presence, and bring cohesion to your entire reception.

Create depth and height in your display: with simple boxes or even phone books, you can sculpt a beautiful landscape on your table. You can wrap the boxes in decorative paper, or even leave them bare and covered with matching linens for a refined, free-flowing cascade.

Take advantage of your centerpieces: whether they be flowers, candles, or tiny little goldfish, using an extra centerpiece or two will not only tie into the rest of your reception, but it can also add life and freshness to your candy table.

Don’t be afraid to use trimmings: details like good quality linens, ribbons, and paper can add nice touches to your overall display.

Less is more: trimmings are definitely your friends, but don’t go overboard! Too many space fillers can potentially clutter your table and cause sensory overload!

Consider the table: where will it be located? Will there be a nice backdrop or wall behind it for pictures? Or will it be open so people can access it from all sides? Will it even have sides, or will it be round? These are all good questions to ask yourself before deciding on a set-up design.

Candy

Color is key: as mentioned before, having a specific color scheme can really make your table pop. Monochromatic palettes can also be striking and elegant. Make sure to consider different hues and shades – for example, if your colors are red and brown, don’t be afraid of using different shades of reds and pinks. If using primarily dark colors, try to use trimmings in lighter shades to bring energy to your table.

Check the weather: Will it be hot or sunny? Will the table be indoors or outdoors? If indoor, will there be AC? If you’re worried about warmth, save the stress and avoid candies that could easily melt (unfortunately this includes most chocolates)!

Fruit seasons: if you’re planning to use fresh fruit on your table (e.g. chocolate dipped strawberries), make sure you consider if they are even in season. Strawberries in the winter might not be as sweet as when they’re at their peak in the summer!

Not just candy: if you’re open to treats in other forms, consider mini cookies, kettle corn, or spiced nuts as sweet additions. Placing the wedding cake or groom's cake on the same table can add visual diversity.

Be creative: candy isn’t just made to be eaten, but also to play with! Bundle large lollipops together like a bouquet of flowers, or skewer some marshmallows to simulate kabobs – the possibilities are endless.

Keep it simple: having a variety of flavors and different types of candy can be satisfying to everyone, but don’t be afraid to go with a specific flavor profile. Whether it be a gummy bear bar or a chocolate truffle tribute, your guests will definitely enjoy the sugar rush!

Don’t buy too much! It’s easy to worry about not having enough for everyone, but if you’re planning to include a meal and cake in your reception, guests probably won’t be stuffing themselves with extra sugar. A small portion of ½ cup (4 oz) or less is a good estimate per person. If you want to buy in bulk for a visual effect, save large containers for popular candies so you won’t have too many leftovers.

Containers and Supplies

More than jars: apothecary jars and similar containers tend to be the standard, but don’t miss out on other shapes and sizes you can find elsewhere! Vases are fabulously inexpensive alternatives, and are easy to find. If you’re going for opaque containers, small pails can give a rustic vibe, and wicker baskets can be cute and lighthearted. Don’t be afraid to use cake stands, flat platters, and other serving ware to give your guests a variety of ways to choose their sweets!

Scoops and things: when choosing containers, make sure you keep in mind how your guests are going to get the candy out! Scoops, tongs, and other serving ware should be small enough to get the goods!

Individual containers: if your table is set up as a DIY favor station, little bags (get your custom made bags from Jenny at Your Perfect Day) or mini boxes can be great take-homes. Dress them up with a little label and ribbon and your guests have a tasty treat for later. Small, clear plastic cups or even napkins are also cheap ideas if you prefer the candy to be eaten on the spot.

Your Perfect Day rents candy jars and the scoops/tongs! We also create candy bags and boxes! Contact us today for a quote!

Thank you to Project Wedding for this great article!

Candy Buffets that are affordable

One of the things a lot of our brides plan to have at their reception is a Candy Buffet – but the cost of all that candy and containers can definitely add up quickly! A candy buffet can be beautiful – but when bride’s try to make a buffet work on a budget, sometimes it just ends up looking a little sad. Here are some of our ideas to help you create a budget-friendly candy buffet that is as beautiful as these.

1. Find Affordable Containers – Renting containers is a great option! Your Perfect Day has candy buffet containers & you can rent a whole table's worth for about $25.

2. Use other fillers – You can use less candy as long as you add some other things to the table:

- Table runners – adding a table runner or two adds a lot more interest, looks lovely and does not have to cost a fortune. Your Perfect Day rents out table runners.

- Flowers and Flower Petals – You can get great deals on silk rose petals at Micheal's or Hobby Lobby and sprinkle them in between the containers. You can also use silk flowers placed randomly among the jars or use bouquets of flowers in jars and vases.

- Pictures – One great idea I came across was to place framed pictures of other weddings (your parents, grandparents, etc) or your engagement pictures among the containers. It also adds a personal touch. Frames could also be added with a menu of the items available, a title (Jake & Jill’s Sweet Shop, etc), a thank you note, a special poem or song, etc.

- Candles – of course, placed in such a way that people can reach the candy without burning themselves or knocking them over.

3. Add extras – Instead of just candy, have other things on the buffet as well. Some common choices include

- The wedding cake

- a chocolate fountain

- a punch bowl or fountain

- cookies, squares, and other dessert items

- fortune cookies

- favor boxes

- fruit

- guest book

4. Affordable Candy – the candy is of course, the most expensive aspect of the candy buffet but there are ways to control that cost as well. Here are a few tips:

- Don’t go overboard. If you are using my ideas in section 2 and 3 – your candy buffet does not have to include TONS of candy to look full and elegant. You reasonably need to have enough candy for a small bag full per guest.

- Size Matters – Stick to small and medium size containers. Then, place the containers on different levels by places different boxes or books under the table cloth to create risers for some of the containers to sit on. This makes containers easier to reach, and makes the table look fuller.

- Buy in bulk – Once you know what types of candy you want, check out different bulk candy suppliers and compare prices. Here are a few great places:

Candy Direct

Candy Warehouse

Bulk Candy Store

- COLOR makes a difference – in generally, a candy buffet in coordinated colors looks much more elegant then one that features a hodge podge of random selections. Many bulk suppliers will let you purchase bulk orders of things like jelly beans – all in one color.

For more wedding ideas, contact Your Perfect Day!