Feeding the Sweet Tooth: Going the DIY Route for Your Wedding Candy Buffet

Weddings are, without a doubt, the ultimate expression of wholesome sweetness. Seeing two people – madly in love and testifying their commitment to one another in front of their nearest and dearest friends – is arguably the epitome of endearment. In fact, very few things can compare in sweetness to heartfelt nuptial vows, which is why hosting a candy buffet for your wedding is such an incredible idea. After all, if you’re not going to give your wedding guests cavities by overwhelming them with your cloying affection for your (soon to be) spouse, why not hit them right in the sweet tooth with an assortment of hand-picked candies on their way out the door?

Good DIY wedding planning is a must

However, just like all aspects of your big day, planning a candy buffet can be stressful if you don’t have a clear plan in place on how to execute it. Even worse, if you try to outsource the task to a wedding planner, they may wind up missing the mark entirely (and most notably, the BUDGET). They simply don’t know you and your partner as well as you do, and you run the risk of them including candies that don’t follow your theme or inadvertently choose something with known allergens in it. That said, pulling off an awesome candy buffet for your wedding isn’t just simple; it’s also the perfect party favor for those guests who like to nosh on tasty treats, too. Charlottesville is home to a lot of original wedding ideas, and when you plan yours, you don’t have to break the bank to give it your ideal flavor.

If you’re trying to plan a candy buffet for your wedding, take note. These five tips can help make it a breeze, allowing you to spend more time ogling your beloved and less time worrying about whether or not your guests like the candy you picked out!

1) Come up with a theme, and plan around it.

Fall themed candy, presented in a very feminine and elegant way

Whether or not you may consciously realize it, there’s a good chance that your wedding does have a theme. If you’re hosting it in a barn and you’re wearing your favorite cowgirl boots underneath your wedding dress, you may be looking at a rustic or Western theme. What if you’re donning a red lip and plan on putting your hair up in a French chignon? Maybe you’re looking at a vintage theme, instead. No matter your theme, there’s a candy for you. For instance, if your theme is vintage, why not stock up on old-timey candies (such as root beer barrels and gum drops)? Or if you’re looking a Western theme, why not add gold or brown foil-wrapped candies to the mix?

2) Build a budget, but also be a little flexible.

While candy by itself tends to be pretty affordable, it can quickly add up in cost if you’re planning on inviting a significant number of guests. Furthermore, if you’re looking to add specialty candies (such as from local candy boutiques, or old-timey flavors), you may find yourself looking at paying a premium markup to include it. It’s also important to remember that you’re not just paying for the candy, either. You’re also paying for the scoops and those cute little clear glass jars that you’re going to be storing them in. By creating a loose outline of your budget, you’ll have a better idea of what you’re willing to spend, but also have a little wiggle room just in case you go over.

3) Choose a variety of candies for all palates.

While it can be tempting to include only chocolate candies at your buffet (oh heck yes!), you need to resist the urge to stock up on only one type of candy. Your guests want a little bit of variety and textures, and if your buffet is just one homogenous lump of chews or gummies or hard candies, your guests may find themselves bored with your selection. To avoid offending their sensible palates, you should plan on including a wide variety of flavors and textures. This will help ensure that there really is something for everyone there. Also, a little helpful tip? Plan on at least eight ounces of candy per guest. That way, nobody feels like they’re getting stiffed when the table starts to get picked over!

4) Know how you want to set up the table.

It IS possible to match treats and flowers!

While it can be tempting to grab a handful of mixing bowls, dump the candy into them, and tell your guests to help themselves, it’s much better to make the table look both pretty and well organized on your wedding day. You should use clear glass or heavy-duty plastic containers to display the candies. To create visual interest, it’s also a good idea to add some pedestals to keep the candies at varied heights. Don’t forget to grab scoops or tongs, either. Nobody wants to catch guests fishing candy out of the jar with their bare mitts, right? Adding a tablecloth in your color theme, and fun little embellishments like playful and colorful ribbons, is also a fantastic way to make your candy buffet look amazing.

5) Invite your guests to dig in!

Perfect signage for an 80s themed wedding candy buffet…

Finally, you want to make sure your guests know that the candy is for them to enjoy and to help themselves. You can use chalkboards (both cute and whimsical!) or even hand-painted signs on wooden planks of wood. Regardless of how you approach it, though, you don’t want your guests to feel nervous about grabbing some treats while there. And speaking of which, you’ll want to set out some cellophane bags or small boxes by the table, too. That way your guests also know they’re more than welcome to take some home with them after the party is over!

At the end of the day, your goal is to exchange your vows with the man (or woman!) of your dreams. While it’s understandable to want to make sure your guests are impressed by your delicious selection of candies and treats, just remember that they’re at your wedding to celebrate yourself and your partner, not to just nosh on handfuls of jellybeans between sessions on the dance floor. That said, if you want them to be blown away by your keen eye for design and impeccable taste in candy, then these tips for designing the ultimate candy buffet are the way to go. Sure, your family dentist may be a little appalled (or thrilled, depending on how you look at it) but you and your guests will be sure to love it!

DIY weddings can save you a bundle. If you found the candy buffet ideas helpful, consider some DIY wedding flower help as well! Contact Fiori Floral Studio for beautiful wedding designs at wholesale prices.

Photo credit (cover image): Karley Saagi

Photo credit (editorial image 1): Derick Santos

Photo credit (editorial image 2): Alem Sanchez

Photo credit (editorial image 3): Nata Romualdo