'Tis the season to start thinking about purchasing candy for your candy bar. A candy bar is a great substitute for wedding favors. It's affordable*, delish, and who doesn't like candy? As an experienced candy bar-er, I wanted to offer my words of wisdom in choosing your goods.
*While I say this is affordable, it's really not the most affordable favor you can purchase, and I think this is a common misconception. At minimum, you'll want about twenty pieces of candy per person, unless you're planning to only offer it for a couple of hours. Some folks won't take any (well, they'll SAY they won't take any but they'll sneak some when no one's looking :) and some will load up their bags. Typically I spend $300-$400 on a wedding of 150 (on the low end) and it goes up from there.
So here's a couple of things I've learned over the years.
Have a color that ties everything in. If you can afford it, do color themed, "off brand" candies from a supplier like candywarehouse.com. Why? Well....it looks cool. :) And fancy.
Or, samsclub.com works great, too! Make pretty labels for your candy jars and decorate with the same color ribbon to keep the color theme on a low budget.
Avoid anything jelly or sugar shell coated. I don't mean M and M's...google "peppermint candy pillows" and you'll get the sugar coated no-nos. In my experience, they melt in a big clump and you have to spend half the night chiseling away at the candies.
One way to help avoid this (warning.....this next part is kind of gross.....) is purchase tongs for the candies as opposed to hand held scoops. You can get clear tongs at the Dollar Store. This avoids perspiration or cold drink residue from people's hands reaching into the candy (told you. Gross, but true).
Containers...get different sized, clear containers that range from big to small. The more interesting and varied, the better. Rent them from me! Or, think outside of the box and use vases, fish bowls, your grandma's old punch bowl, etc. Hit up garage sales.
Stick the handles of suckers and rock candy in brick of floral foam and decorate with ribbon or linens. Different heights and close together is the key. Too spread out or even (all one sized dish), and it looks like you skimped on the goods.
For the treat bags? Check out orientaltrading.com. Wal mart has them, too! Or get fancy and check out websites like Beau Coup Favors, or my favorite, Nashville Wraps. Use "cake slice" bags or miniature "Chinese take out" pails. Avoid big bags. Big bags = loads of candy.
Finally (and most importantly) have a designated person in attendance. Have ME in attendance, really...but if you're not going to hire a Wedding Coordinator, have someone responsible that's not too chatty and will remember to do their job after a few cocktails to keep those candy dishes filled, keep the bags neat, keep the random candy pieces that fall of the table in the garbage and keep everything looking clean, well stocked and pretty. Otherwise, you're going to run low and it'll be a hot mess half way through cocktail hour. Trust me. It happens (but not on my watch!)
That's my thoughts in a nut shell. I LOVE candy bars because I have a huge sweet tooth, and there's not many times in our adult lives where we just get to gorge on yummy candies. When I'm a wedding guest, I appreciate a good mix and a fun display.
For more ideas, e-mail or call me anytime! "Life is Sweet, Have a Treat".
Love,
Shannon
www.onegirlcreative.net
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| Great example of a bar! Yellow and orange ties the candies together, the different levels and shapes add interest, and the labels and bunting add an adorable accent to the set up. |
