Have a Candy Buffet Instead of a Meal

by Jessica Turner
(Austin, TX)

My wedding took place at 7 pm and the reception was at 7:45. We knew that most people would have eaten by then and that we didn’t want to fork over money for a lot of food and drinks. We saw a candy buffet online and decided to create one for our wedding.

We bought a variety of glassware from local thrift stores to hold the candy. We bought ribbons and printable name tags on sale from a craft store to put around the jars and label each candy. We bought Chinese takeout boxes online from a restaurant supplier. Buying the same boxes from a wedding site would have cost us over 75 cents more per box.

After we had the containers and labels, we picked candies and sweets that we liked and bought them in bulk either online or through bulk food suppliers. We also found a lot of after holiday clearance candy and used that.

It took some time finding enough of each candy, but we were able to plan ahead and get everything that we needed for a very good price.

On the day of the rehearsal we took all of the jars and labels and set them up on three long tables. We also set up the take out boxes which we had decorated with ribbon and the stickers that we used to seal our wedding invitations.

The tables were decorated with simple table clothes and some flowers to tie the whole reception area together. A few hours before the wedding my family poured the candies into the jars and placed with them small scoops or tongs that we bought online from a candy store.

We didn’t have to worry about food getting cold or being out too long. Once all the guests walked into the reception room they were taken back by how interesting and beautiful the candy buffet was. We have been married for two years now and people still comment on the candy at our wedding.

Guests were able to serve themselves and mingle while munching on a variety of sweets. There were quiet a few children at the wedding and the parents were able to let them eat by themselves without worrying about having their nice clothes ruined by BBQ sauce or a fancy dressing.

Everyone said that they had plenty to munch on and that they enjoyed having the take out box and extra candy to take home as a souvenir. People also commented on the ease of having the candy buffet and how it made the reception more relaxed and friendly.

In total we spent only $250 between the candy, labels, jars, table clothes, and other items used for the candy buffet. We had a lot of candy left over and a lot of wonderful memories.