Today is my dear friends' 2nd wedding anniversary so I want to start this post by wishing them the happiest of anniversaries! Their anniversary had me thinking back to their wedding day. Jen asked me to create a candy buffet for their guests. Jen and I met a couple of months prior to their big day and worked out a game plan but I wanted to share some tips on the process.
1. Pick a Theme
First you will need to pick a theme. This could be a simple as matching the colors you have picked for your event or it could match your party theme. This will be the central concept for your buffet so take a minute to envision what you would like the final product to look like. For Jen & Billy's buffet she decided she wanted to stick with colors of her wedding: mint, pink, and gold.
2. Candy Selection
This is the fun part! There are so many great candies that you can get in bulk. If you don't have stores close by that sell a variety in bulk, there are several online retailers where you can find just about anything you want.
When it comes to buying candy and figuring out how much you need, keep a few things in mind. You should expect to buy about half pound of candy per guest. For example, if you planning to have 100 people at your event then you should purchase at least 50 pounds of candy. This is something to keep in mind when setting a budget.
Another thing to remember when selecting your candy is allergies. If you don't personally know all of your guests, then it might be wise to steer clear of any candies that contain nuts. And lastly, take into consideration the location of the event. If it's outside, candies such as chocolate or taffy might melt.
3. Candy Containers
Shopping for candy containers is so fun! Jen was lucky to have been given some supplies by a friend that we were able to use for her candy buffet. We used 5 of the round glass bowls so we already had a major head start on gathering containers.
I think the best place to shop for containers is at thrift stores! I found a few of the additional pieces used for Jen and Billy's buffet at local thrift stores when out shopping with my mother one day. You can find the cutest and often times unique dishes and containers at thrift stores and most of the time at a fraction of the cost of purchasing new. If you don't have any luck at the thrift stores, you can usually find some reasonable priced apothecary jars online or at stores like Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and Joann's where you can also use coupons and TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Homegoods!
I also used a variety of items I had already, like the gold charger and a couple of the small glass dishes. Don't be afraid to look at what you already have and envision different uses for those items.
I also used a variety of items I had already, like the gold charger and a couple of the small glass dishes. Don't be afraid to look at what you already have and envision different uses for those items.
4. Table Decor
Now that you have your candy and containers, you will want to dress up your table. Think back to the theme you chose and choose some accent items that will really show off the candy buffet. For Jen and Billy's buffet, she had a tablecloth ready for us from the venue to match her reception decor. I picked up some coordinating small frames to use for signage with the candy name/type listed on it so all was labeled. I also created some custom signage for the table display that played up the candy and their love for Dave Matthews Band (how they met!). You can also accessorize items like candy scoops. I added some pink and gold ribbon to the handles to add a little something extra. I also ordered two acrylic Dave Matthews Band fire dancers to attach to the bottom of the giant martini glasses. They turned out so cute. It was just another thing to add a cute little touch that also reflected on the couple's love story. The florist for the event also added some fresh flower arrangements that tied everything together with the bridal party flowers and table centerpieces.
I created height on the table to add different levels by using a box, an extra shelf from my desk, and a piece of gold fabric. You can create multiple heights to draw the eye to different points by using varying heights of boxes covered in fabric.
5. Favor Bags or Boxes
Don't spend so much time looking for the perfect candy and table decor that you forget the favor bags or boxes! Guest will need something to put their treats in so this is a very important part. It is wise to pick a small to medium size bag or box. The larger you go, the more guests are encouraged to take and you do not want to run out! There are so many great resources out there for these now. Not only can you find them at many local stores like Target, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, but there are also many great online resources that will allow you to find exactly what you are looking for and in bigger quantities than the local stores.
I found a deal on gold chevron paper bags on Etsy that measured 5 x 7.5 inches long. I thought they were a great size. Not too small but not too big either. I found a wire basket at Goodwill that I spray painted gold and voila, I had a container to place my bags in that looked pretty and matched the theme.
Again, happy anniversary to the happy couple! I had so much fun working with Jen to add to her special day and I had so much fun celebrating the happy couple!
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