The Candy Buffet

I just wrapped up another wedding this past weekend and had to comment about candy buffets. This was my third "buffet" and had the caterer control this one. The bride purchased a great assortment of the couples favorite candies and had provided great containers. The caterer used risers to make the candy jars different heights to create dimension. It looked fantastic - so what's the problem? People absolutely go berzerko for the candy. They wanted it early, continuously asking my bride where it was - so it was brought out early and devoured in mere minutes. People dove into the candy as if they didnt just eat a three course meal. Another wedding that we prepared last year had coordinating pink and brown candies. there were lollipops, jellybeans, custom M&M's and ribbons. It was lovely. The buffet was set up in a side room for departing guests to take a sweet treat on their way out. Unfortunately, the bar was switched at the last minute to the sweet room for the cocktail hour - and the guests went hog wild on the candy. By the time the bride came to see how it looked - it was a complete mess. People were sitting at their little tables with cocktails, Hors D'Oevres and goodie bags choca-block filled with candies. On both of these occasions - the bride, who worked so hard to find the best stuff to make it look decadent and oh sooo cute, was so upset that they 1. didn't get to see it all put together, 2. felt that there may not have been enough candy so they felt guilty that they didnt do enough to make their guests happy and 3. thought for one second - that all the running around to get all the stuff was a complete waste of their time. So, I get it, you want your guests to see how creative and cute your wedding can be - and probably was - but I guess when guests are fighting over your candy - your buffet was THE bomb and not A bomb. So don't fret over the candy buffet. People love it and it will be gone in 30 seconds. If you want to see the candy all set up - make sure SOMEONE takes a picture - I can assure you it will last longer. Now please hand over the last Atomic Fireball - I love those things!