HOW SWEET IT IS
Just because you’re not a kid doesn’t mean you can’t love candy. And if you’re looking for a fun alternative to the traditional Jordan almonds wrapped in tulle netting at your wedding, why not create a crowd-pleasing candy buffet? Guests will visit the tantalizing station again and again, sharing their strategies on filling their containers to the brim.
Here are some tricks on how to create the perfect candy buffet. It’s a favor no guest will leave behind.
• Pick a color, and stick to it. Candy comes in every color of the rainbow. If you have a carnival wedding theme, you may want them all. But sticking to two colors (same shade of color is good too) is visually appealing. It could be your wedding colors, college colors, etc.
• Pick a theme. A candy buffet is a great “show piece,” an opportunity to let your personality shine. Design the table around a favorite piece of art, an heirloom lace tablecloth that was your great grandmother’s, a souvenir from a vacation, even your favorite hobby. The possibilities are endless.
• How much? The best way to determine how much candy to serve is to take your bag to the store and fill it with candy you would like to have and weigh it. On average, figure a half-pound of candy per guest. It sounds like a lot, but once you weigh chocolate (heavy) and rock candy (light but bulky) your pouch will be filled in no time. Lollipops also take up a lot of room.
• Create the eye candy. Of course, it is about the actual candy. But first we see the display. Varying heights, different sizes and shapes of vessels make it visually stimulating, and encourage people to satisfy their sweet tooth. You can also create “eye candy” by having a backdrop or focal point to your candy buffet, including ribbon, wallpaper, fabric, tinsel and tissue paper.
• Signed, sealed, and delivered. Make sure you have signage or tags at each candy vessel so that guests are aware of what they are taking. Include a sign if the candy has significance too. Guests love to learn little fun facts. Make sure there are at least 20 more bags than the number of guests, for those who go up multiple times. And provide something to seal the bag, so there are no chocolate kisses rolling around on the dance floor. Clear bags, boxes, take-out containers and fabric pouches all make for great containers. Personalizing them with labels gives an added touch. And don’t forget the scoops and/or tongs. Most importantly, have fun with it and ask your photographer to capture your “art” on film.
– Stephanie Frazier Grimm
