On Building a Candy Buffet

Wedding Tips from the Orange Wedding Consortium, an affiliate of the Orange Chamber of Commerce.

This week's tips are brought to you by Cat & Alissa of Chez Lollipop, helping couples find their wedding treats.

Candy can be sophisticated or whimsical. If you are thinking about having one of the new candy tables as a part of your event there are a few good concepts to follow. 

Think Big: Most events take place in large rooms or halls and tiny little jars all over a table just end up looking cluttered and a bit like a Halloween party. Make sure you have enough of each type of candy for all your guest to take some and that the container is sized appropriately. If money is tight and you cannot afford a full buffet, take a hint from Martha S and tuck a mini buffet of just a few jars along side your other offerings or as part of the cake table. Good candy is not cheap and so you want to present it to its best. Remember it is also your favor, so you should take into consideration what you would have spent on a favor. Also adding high with taller items or putting some of your jars on risers is helpful in creating and elegant and full look. 

Have a Unifying Theme: It can be as simple as a set of colors. But you want something to coordinate your table. Butterflies or the beach or the color blue, pink or yellow, or retro or seasonal. This way the entire table will make a statement and be part of the decorative scheme as well as an activity and a favor. It can be fun. We have done Pirates and Martinis and Zebra. If you have a special interest. You may be able to include it if it is packaged correctly for the formality of your venue. If you are having a picnic your buffet can be more casual with pink gingham and pin wheels. etc. If your entire party is in formal evening attire, then perhaps a very formal black and white is more appropriate. As part of our service at Chez Lollipop, we provide coordinating linens and props to complete the look. 

Budget: If you can't afford to do a large buffet for the wedding, remember you also have a shower and an after party to sweeten. Candy buffets can be fun as a midnight treat. When trying to stretch the budget the more taffy and gummy items and the fewer chocolate and lollipops the less expensive overall. We have a brochure available that gives an idea of what kinds of candy to mix and match and the price per person. This way you can have a balance of offering and not overspend. 

Include your favorites. If you or your mate to be love bit o Honey, then by all means include it. Dress it up in a jar and place it proudly among the rest. One special treat for the bride or groom will not throw off the look and will make a special statement that you were thinking of them. 

How much to buy: For adult parties we normally recommend anything from a quarter of a pound to a bit under a half per person. For very little party goers an 8th to a 4th is plenty. Teens will eat about as much as you can put out. And then ask for a midnight snack. With chocolates, depending on how much you are offering we normally say 1-2 per person. Definitely 2 if it is the only chocolate you are offering. 

So indulge for a special day and if you need personal help or would simply like to hand it over to be done and delivered, we would be happy to meet with you to help you design your tablescape. Please see our facebook page or our website at
www.chezlollipop.com. We do provide private consultations for Brides and Grooms. So feel free to call us. We are located in the middle of downtown Ansonia CT at 293 Main Street. 

We look forward to working with you.   
Chez Lollipop
203-736-3725

Visit Chez Lollipop and 32 other vendors at Bridal Fair 2012 at Race Brook Country Club on Sunday November 4, 2012 from 11:00 to 3:00.

click here to register (info will be forthcoming)