Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Our Wedding Candy Bar

Finally onto one of the best parts of the wedding — the candy bar! Rather than having favors at each place setting, we decided to go with a big buffet of candy so that everyone could choose what they wanted and have some fun with it. You can read my previous candy bar post here for all the details of how I put this together, determining how much candy you'll need, poll results of peoples favorite treats and resources for containers and bulk candy.





We included an empty bag at each place setting with a note that matched the design of our invites telling people to help themselves to some sweet treats at The Candy Bar.



We had extra bags on the candy table with a sign that included, "Don't be shy, take another bag!"






Overall, it was a huge success! Everyone loved it and I really enjoyed the interactive element of it. One thing I dislike most about weddings is feeling like you are stuck in this seat that you're assigned with no where to go but the bar or the dance floor. With the large deck off the back of our venue, the yard games outside, the candy bar and the cake buffet (more details later!), there were many reasons to get up, walk around and mingle, and this created the exact environment I was hoping for. Plus really, who doesn't love candy?


CRAFTING THE CANDY BAGS


I purchased 1/2 lb size glassine bags from Paper Mart. I wanted them to look more 'finished' so I trimmed the tops with scalloped scissors. Yes, it was kind of a pain, but worth it :)

By accident, I stumbled upon the little paper clips at JoAnn Fabrics on clearance in the scrapbooking aisle. Each had a different word on it like promise, love, memory, etc - they were perfect.


I used the clips to attach a card that I designed to match our invites and figured people could also use the clip to close the bag after filling it. They came out great and I loved how they looked on the tables.


CRAFTING THE TAGS AND LABELS


I was torn as to whether I should label each container with the type of candy inside or if I should just make a sign for the table listing them, since most were self explanatory. But I decided it would be fun and more aesthetically pleasing to design labels, and I really love how they came out.

I created them in Adobe Illustrator and printed them on my inkjet printer. I used ivory label stock for the labels and card stock for the tags. I cut them out by hand with scissors (which turned out to be much easier than I expected) and added two slits on the tags to run ribbon through for hanging. A small knot at the bottom held them in place.


If you would like to use this art for your own candy bar, you can download the files below:

Click here to download an EPS file of the labels. (You will need a program that can edit EPS files to use this)

Click here to download the font, Honey Script. (Which is a personal favorite of mine, regardless of the use!)

It's tough to save the files in a format that everyone can use, but hopefully I'll have some time in the next week to save a few more formats for you. Please feel free to contact me with any requests or questions in the meantime and check back soon for additional downloads. (p.s. If you share this file elsewhere, please give proper credit - thanks!)

Next up on Wedding Week, the cake buffet! Which was just about as fun as the candy bar – stay tuned!

20 comments:

KristaR said...

I would have pulled my chair right up to that candy bar. Seriously.

Well done! :)

Unknown said...

i love the idea, so fun and you're right who doesn't love candy!

Brenda said...

So well done! LOVE that font - thank you for sharing the link! :)

Gifted Designs said...

My mouth is watering looking at this...:)

I swear, if I get married, that's EXACTLY what I'm going to do! It saves on picking out a guest gift that no one will use anyway!

Wear Your Wild said...

What a wonderful idea! And it looks beautiful. Good enough to eat! :)

Catherine Ivins said...

Nicole- your wedding pictures and ideas are all so beautiful you almost make me want to get married all over again - I wonder who I would pick this time ... hehe!

xo- Cat :)

mary grace said...

My kids would love your wedding!

Belinda C said...

Your candy table and tags for them came out great! I'm considering doing something like this.
Question: What type of formula did you use to estimate how much candy you would need AND did you have lots left over?

lillyella said...

hi there, gonna be his mrs.!

If you read my previous column that I linked to in the beginning of the post (http://lillyella.blogspot.com/2009/08/crafting-candy-bar.html), you'll find lots of info about figuring amounts as well as resources for containers, bulk candy etc. I also did a poll of peoples favorite candies, so you may find that helpful!

I believe the formula for quantity was 1/2 lb candy per guest, which I did go over but stuck pretty close to. I think I had about 1/2 lb each of 11 different varieties plus a few extra goodies scattered around and I had about 80 guests.

We did have some candy left over, but not much at all considering how hard it is to estimate something like this. I dont think I would have changed anything and chanced being too short, but it seems sticking with 1/2 lb per person is a good way to judge.

the rikrak studio said...

i'm just lovin' all of your gorgeous, creative ideas, nicey! what a beautiful wedding you handcrafted, and i love all of your special touches.

and you look gorgeous, too, nicey! love that fun spinny, dancey dress of yours!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Wow! Your candy table looked so good! Have a sweet day!

Southern Lady's Vintage said...

The candy bar looks so nice! Love all of your little labels and the candy sacks! Great job!

Anonymous said...

Great scott! who wouln't love this candy bar.....great job. Where did you find the tongs that have an X in them? They are way too cute.

MBK said...

Thank you for sharing! Could you send me the template for the candy card that was attached?! That is just what I'm looking for... really, you have no idea! :) My e-mail is mkench@kingsportchamber.org. Thank you!

MBK said...

In addition, what size did you use for the actual "Candy Bar" sign? That was not included in the provided template? Thank you, again!

ZaarasCloset said...

Hi, Lovely and just what I was looking for. Is there anyway you could post the pink labels as editable pdf or jpeg files? Windows can't seem to open this file format. Thanks.

CathyG said...

Are you able to provide for me a Word/PDF/ or jpg version of the candy label?

Anonymous said...

I would love a word or pdf document as well. Thanks.

Erin Gernerd said...

I would like to snag a copy of the word/pdf document for the labels as well!

I would also love to see a full shot of the candy bar! The details are great.