Candy buffets are back, baby! Yes, one of the hottest wedding trends from a few years back, the humble candy buffet, appears to be delighting sweet-toothed guests once again – and, well, we’re just a little thrilled to re-introduce them to a new generation of brides.
What is a candy buffet?
A candy buffet is a stylised table showcasing a vast array of jars and platters filled with sweets and lollies. They’re a smorgasbord of sugary delights and, with all the colours and textures, sizes and shapes, they can also be a feast for the eyes.
“When wedding guests see candy buffets, you’d be amazed at how many of them transform into being kids again – complete with the squeals of delight,” says Jonathan Dee, a Director of Derbyshire-based Swizzels Matlow, which makes the iconic Love Hearts sweets.
When choosing what sweets to include in their candy buffets, couples have no shortage of options “but many go down a nostalgic route,” adds Jonathan. “They’ll choose sweets that mean something to them, perhaps lollies associated with a childhood memory.
“Alternatively they prefer to opt for a candy buffet bursting with colours or, perhaps, they may even go for a single-colour theme, which can be very impactful.
“They can include anything from personalised ‘Just Married’ Love Hearts to Wine Gummies and Refreshers or Fruity Pops, Bon Bons and Fizzers ,” he says.
Candy buffets can be formal, frugal, delightful or whimsical. It all depends on the sweet tooth of the couple marrying.
Why would I have one?
Candy buffet’s remain a popular dessert alternative at weddings for a number of reasons: “Aside from the fact they offer a colourful visual delight at your wedding reception,” says Jonathan, “they can also be an economical way to to add a little extra personality to your celebrations – and they provide an abundance of sweet options for your guests.”
“In addition,” says Jonathan, who has worked at Swizzels for 12 years and even invented their latest sweet range, Squashies, “a candy buffet can really complement the theme and colour of your wedding and bring a retro element to your special day.”
The visual spectacle created by an elegantly built candy buffet also provides a delicious backdrop for wedding cakes (and makes for gorgeous photos) and is an unexpected treat for your guests.
What can I include in my candy buffet?
“Candy buffets can be made up of whatever you like,” says Jonathan. “Often couples will mix an assortment of different types of hard and soft sweets and lollies with cupcakes or cake-pops, however. it really comes down to personal preference.”
Of course, a bonus of having a candy table is that your guests can enjoy sweet treats during the festivities and also take a bag home for later.
“In our range,” adds Jonathan, “our No.1 candy buffet request from brides across the globe are our Love Hearts.
“The wrappers can be personalised at our online store (http://shop.lovehearts.com) with the bride and groom’s names and the date of their wedding, and the sweets themselves all say ‘Just Married.’
Oh, so sweet wedding favours
Picking wedding favours that all your guests will love an be a tricky task, however, it’s difficult to go wrong with sweets, which can appeal to a range of ages and can, sometimes, offer a little sentimental value by reminding people of fond childhood memories.
Businesses such as Swizzels, who have been making sweets since 1928, provide couples with the option to personalise sweet wrappers, which is ideal for wedding favours.
They can further personalise your wedding favour with colourful (and matching) boxes and packaging in various designs.
“Among our most popular candy buffet and wedding favour offerings are our edible Love Hearts with the raised words ‘Just Married’ on them,” says Jonathan, “but we’re seeing a surging interest in sweets such as Rainbow Drops, Refreshers and Drumsticks because, whilst couples may remember them from their childhood, they may not have tried them for a while.”
“Sweets have been a part of weddings for decades, if not centuries,” adds Jonathan, who had personalised Love Hearts at his own wedding and proposed, on one knee, to his wife with a Swizzels jelly gum wedding ring.
“From traditional sugared almonds to the more recent candy buffets, lollies and sweet treats are a natural addition to a wedding table because they’re affordable, fun and nostalgic.
“After all, what better way to celebrate your sweet love than with, well, sweets?”
