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A few posts back, I showed you the candy-buffet inspiration photos I’d been squirreling away. So what will my candy buffet look like? Well, the table will be covered with gray and white polka dot fabric (the same fabric as my engagement-pics dress, which I’ll show you later), and I’ll fill mismatched jars/vases/glass containers with bulk yellow candy—yellow gumballs, M&Ms, rock candy, and maybe my favorites, Mr. Goodbar!
Image via Candy Warehouse on Flickr
Image via Raleigh Candy Buffet
Image via A’ Lil Country Sugar
I wish this photo were mine (because that would mean I had a vase full of Mr. Goodbars in my house).
I also bought a bunch of miniature frames from the dollar section of Michaels, which I will use to label what each type of candy is. Here’s the mock-up (without frames):
All personal pics
This one’s my favorite:
No wait, this one is:
I put these two on a box to give the buffet more dimension. Obviously, I will not be using a cardboard box for the actual buffet:
Is that a thrift-store price tag I see? Why yes it is. And yes, this badd boi was only a buck!
I might super glue some of them to these candle sticks from the dollar store. I think it makes them look purrrty:
And here it is with the frames included:
I think it looks really busy, actually. But keep in mind that all the containers will be cleaned, label-free, and filled with monochrome candy, and the frames will all be painted one color, most likely white.
Most of the containers were unearthed at a St. Vinny’s in the Dells. The most expensive one I bought there was four dollars, but most were only a dollar! I got a few at the Dollar Tree, also for a dollar, and a few from Home Goods. I think I might buy more from Hobby Lobby or Michaels because I’d love to hop on the bandwagon and buy one of these fancy-looking ones:
Image via CC Home Furnishings on Amazon
Plus, I have a gift card for both places. And I’m not sure how much candy I need for a 200-person reception. I guess that should dictate how many glass containers I buy, not just whether I have all the different pretty shapes, huh?
What do you think of my buffet setup so far? Do you think it looks too busy? And more importantly, do you think I need to buy more glass?
I think you are off to a great start. You’ll be surprised now how fast candy starts adding up, I so wish I could pull this one off in my budget. Can’t wait to see the finished product!!!
I really love it. I’d add a few more jars for candy, though, since you are having a 200 person reception. I can’t wait to see the finished product!
I think it looks great! I think it’s always better to have a curated collection of vessels than to go over the top and have a table look cluttered.
I think the little frames are super cute, too!
I have been to a couple weddings with a candy bar like this. LOVE the idea! I will say though, that each one ran out of candy. You can’t have too much. And you can usually return unopened bags. The most recent wedding I was at was about 150 people and I’d say she had about 50% more containers than what is in your pic and she ran out. They estimated 8 oz. per person. I would estimate at least 10-12 oz. People love candy!
It looks wonderful - can’t wait to see it all with candy inside those jars! I recommend only about 1/2 cup (aprox 4 oz) of candy per person and account for 75% of your guests. Not everyone is going to take a bag of candy, even with all the work being put into the display. I’d say you’re safe at 35-40lbs of candy total…so you might think about getting a few more jars as well! Good luck!
Looking good so far! I love the different shapes and sizes.
I can’t wait to see how it turns out! I want to do a candy display either at my wedding or shower.
It looks great! I’d also recommend some platters in a similar style, so that you can have larger candy or overflow prettily presented. It gives more variation in height and display options.
Most of your glasses are fairly large. Which means more candy to fill them. Use bigger candy in bigger jars so you don’t need as much. You might want to get a few smaller ones too. I’m not sure about the one white glass, it seems out of place unless you got one more to balance it.
Have you thought about what you want your guests to put their candy in? We used 1/2 lb. kraft tin tab coffee bags. The bigger the bag, the more candy people will take.
No one got a picture of my candy table and I don’t have my pro pics, but I was really proud of ours. We did a trick or treat theme and had various wrapped and unwrapped candy, metal jack-o-lantern bowls to hold the bags.
I’m loving this so far! I think if you can’t or don’t want to find anymore frames you could put labels on some of the jars like the second photo you posted; it might help with the busy feeling too.
Plan on 10-12 candies in 14-16 jars. If you have a bunch of smaller jars, you will need more, but then you run the risk of the table looking super busy. The amount of those candies will depend on what you are using for a treat container to give to your guests. The bigger the container, the more candy you will need. Test drive your candy jars and see if you can get a scoop held in your hand into the mouth of the jar. If you can’t, you need a different jar.
I just have to mention that I was eating a Mr. Goodbar as I read this! 
Great finds! Before heading out to Hobby Lobby, check their online circular (http://www.hobbylobby.com/weekly/weekly.cfm). Glass items might be 50% off, as it was when I bought my vases. If not, you can at least get a coupon for 40% off one item.
I love it! My mouth is seriously watering thinking of all the sweetness 
I vote you keep the cardboard box. Gives the bar a certain extra flair, ahahaha.
This is looking great! You could always hang tags on ribbons from some of the jars to label the candies. That way you won’t be adding a ton more frames. You are off to a great start!
@kl: and @Jessica: and @Jackie Snow: thanks for the tips! I will keep these in mind as it gets closer to the wedding.
I estimated 8 oz of candy per guest and there was only a little leftover.
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Miss Unicycle, Chicago, IL Age and Occupation: 23, Editor for a Web Publishing Company Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, MD/PhD Student Engagement Date: March 26, 2011 Wedding Date: June 2012 Venue: Bridges of Poplar Creek About Me: I’m a writer by trade who likes analyzing pop culture, making fun of celebrities, and laughing until I cry. I’m the queen of half-assed crafts, and there’s nothing I won’t try to DIY. You can usually find me reading blogs on my laptop in front of a good Lifetime movie, wine in hand. I’m planning a polka-dotted summertime wedding to my physics geek college sweetheart, and when I’m not making stupid puns I’m freaking out about my wedding timeline.
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