How to Set Up a Candy Bar at a Wedding Reception

In lieu of serving wedding cake as dessert or handing out candy wedding favors, many brides are offering a candy bar at their wedding reception. A candy bar is typically set up buffet-style, so that wedding guests can collect their own selection of candies to either enjoy at the wedding reception, take back to their hotel rooms or take home to enjoy later.

Things You'll Need

• Candy containers (such as martini glasses, glass vases, glass jars, bowls or baskets)
• Scoops or spoons
• Assorted candy
• Candy favor bags or boxes
• Rectangular table
• Table linens

Instructions

1. Place the candy bar table. Put the candy bar table in a spot in the wedding reception room where it is accessible on both sides.

2. Arrange the table linens. Cover the rectangular table being used for the candy buffet with a table cover or covers that coordinate with your wedding reception decorations and colors.

3. Arrange candy containers on the candy table. Arrange the containers so there is a line of containers on each side of the table. This allows wedding guests to form a line on each side of the candy bar.

4. Pour the candy into the containers. Place one type of candy in each container that you have lined up on the candy buffet table. Many brides choose candy that is color-coordinated with their wedding colors, so if you do this, you may want to alternate the candy colors, so that one container has one color candy and the jar next to it has the other color of candy in it. You can also personalize your candy with certain wedding and candy companies so that the candy comes printed with the names of the bride and groom and the wedding date.

5. Place a scoop or large spoon in each candy container so guests can scoop the candy into their favor bags without touching the candy with their hands.

6. Arrange the candy holders. Place the candy favor bags or boxes at the start of the candy bar for guests to use. Guests can hold the candy favor holders as they go along the buffet and scoop the candy they want into their own personal candy holder. You may also choose to purchase favor boxes, bags or other containers printed with the names of the bride and groom or the wedding date, or favor boxes that coordinate with the theme of your wedding.

Tips & Warnings

• If you offer favor bags as containers for wedding guests to fill, arrange them in a basket at the start of the candy buffet so the bags won’t fall all over the place.

• If the favor bags are not self-closing, such as a chiffon bag with a drawstring, then you may also want have ties or strips of ribbon available for guests to close their candy bags.

References

• Beau Coup: Unique Wedding Ideas