Candy Buffet? Ice Cream Buffet? Both?

Nana015

I have a lot of children in my, extended family and loved the idea of a candy buffet as soon as I heard it. And because my wedding will be in the summer, I was also thinking about doing an ice cream buffet as well.
Should I maybe only go with one? And if I do do both, would it be tacky of me to ask the adults to not take anything from the candy buffet, since it originally is just for the kids?

KTina&BJ

Are you having a cake too? I would think both might take the attention away from the cake. I wouldnt tell guests though that its only for kids. If its there it should be open for everyone.

utegoggles

I'd do just candy. Ice cream would melt and could be a mess.

epmuinlk

I am getting married next July and I am planning... We aren't having a cake but we are having   Brownie Cupcakes to go along with our Ice cream bar and we will have a separate candy bar. 

What you could do, is just incorporate the candies into your sundae bar as toppings.  I wouldn't tell adults the candy is off limits to them.  If you want to create small saks of candy for the kids that would be okay.


Ps.  Talk to your caterer about the ice cream to make sure it is doable...

cmp1986

IMO, I say do both! The more options the better.

DeanaS63

We are doing the candy bar alot of little kids here to.

JustGLAMOUR

My suggestion if you would like to do candy for kids would be a "reception kit". Coloring book, crayons, and candy.

I'm not crazy about the ice cream buffet. I just think of how messy it could get. Maybe a sno cone stand would be a nice alternative?

kimberlyr22

We have about 25 kids planning to attend, and were originally going to do an ice cream bar; until, we found out that after catering costs for a sundae bar, it's cheaper to get Rita's to swing by with a catering cart with all of our favorite flavors and toppings. 

jagore08

I would just do the candy buffet.  I can take the candy home as a little treat (or favor) but I can't with the ice cream.  I'd have to eat the ice cream there and may not be hungry after dinner.

AJH12

We're doing candy centerpieces that guests can take home as favors as well as cotton candy (hiring someone to come with a machine) and an ice cream sundae bar We're kids at heart

FaithCaitlin

I'd do one or the other. I'm leaning more towards the ice cream bar if you can figure out how to keep it cold!!

sparent2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_candy-buffet-ice-cream-buffet?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:98555704-062d-48a6-9291-3e32db62307aPost:4d58b69b-1d32-42ef-a1a3-edec651ede5e">Re: Candy Buffet? Ice Cream Buffet? Both?</a>:
[QUOTE]I would just do the candy buffet.  I can take the candy home as a little treat (or favor) but I can't with the ice cream.  I'd have to eat the ice cream there and may not be hungry after dinner.
Posted by jagore08[/QUOTE]

This.
1- Ice cream is messy and sticky
2- It will probably melt unless you hire someone to come by
3- I would make a candy buffet as a favor table and just let everyone take some home.

rosesarefree

Personally I would not do both, if it were my wedding and I had the budget I would do a candy buffet then serve a single scoop of ice cream with the wedding cake.

Another idea if you're not dead set on a traditional wedding cake is a cake bar- similar to an ice cream bar with toppings, whipped cream fruit, etc., but with angel food cake or poundcake instead of ice cream. Way easier to deal with logistically in summer and not something I've ever seen before (our caterer does them).

mizkriz

BOTH! Have candies in your buffet that can be placed on the icecream sundaes! M&Ms, gummy bears, and other opened candies

TRew42

We're not doing a cake, but instead doing an ice cream brownie bar! We'll have candy toppings, syrups, etc. The caterer is handling the brownies and ice cream for us - so we don't have to worry about it melting. 

kristin1007

We're doing the candy bar for the adults, I was at a wedding where it was the hit!! But Ice scream sounds great too. I say do both>

Caren&Gary

It's tacky to TELL adults not to eat the candy. However, you could have a clear "Kid Zone" area of the reception. You could get small tables (like what preschools use) with a coloring table, blocks and small toys, and a candy bar. That way it will be clear that the candy is for the kids.

mrsd102907

I LOVE the idea of a candy bar!! My mom did ours for my wedding and she actually started up her own business. She is on facebook under cosmopolitan candy buffets and she is located in central jersey. Here is her website... BTW Our guests loved and raved about the buffet, people loved taking home candy. We gave a donation as a favor so this was a nice way to have guests bring something home. Good luck!!
www.cosmopolitancandybuffets.com/">www.cosmopolitancandybuffets.com

www.cosmopolitancandybuffets.com/">

kapio2012

I like the idea of a candy buffet too. It is really cute. Caren's suggestion is really good - putting a Kid Zone sign or something like that would accomplish that in a polite way. However, many adults like candy as well and would like some. The ice cream would probably get messy and sticky unless you had someone serving it and putting it away immediately.

DEE0979

We are doing a candy buffet too. I saw a pic in a magazine and it looked too cute! I don't know that  would do the ice cream too. Especially if you are having a traditional wedding cake as well.

Yolie622

Hi. I am also doing a candy buffet but my fiance doesnt like candy but loves ice cream. So I may just do the ice cream. I plan on hiring an ice cream truck for a couple of hours. The only children will be the flower girls & ring boy. But in your case I would just get enough candy for everyone. Adults like candy too. Or you can ask that the kids get their candy before the adults get theirs.

msgreen08

I'd go with one or the other.... Both may be a bit overkill and a little too trendy. It's impossible to include every "In" trend, so I would go with one's that are most reflective of you and your fiance's personality. My fiance' and I are candy-holics and everyone knows it! So, if this were me having to decide for my wedding, we'd have an ENORMOUS candy bar, which would be very indicative of our personalities. 

meofmanynames

Several of my friends have been guests at weddings where there was a "candy buffet" as the wedding favors! (killing two birds with one stone perhaps?)

kmmssg

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_candy-buffet-ice-cream-buffet?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:98555704-062d-48a6-9291-3e32db62307aPost:25b35f5f-f8cb-4005-9714-bc13eb596eaa">Re: Candy Buffet? Ice Cream Buffet? Both?</a>:
[QUOTE]C Candy buffets are a big hit at weddings. You can make a fun sign to designate the children only section. Here are some examples in my slide shows below. The ice cream station is much more work, so I suggest the candy. Every time I do one at one of my events, the guests go crazy over them. Exquisite Events by Julia (210) 380-3981, I own the Candy Buffet S A company locally. Also, you can make a kids corner or kids table with their own favors, etc. . Those are a fun and wonderful thing to have at a reception. Weddings are about family, why not celebrate your littlest guests?   <a href="http://www.photoshow.com/watch/dB7YG9ut" rel="nofollow">http://www.photoshow.com/watch/dB7YG9ut</a>   <a href="http://youtu.be/nu6T0MKUmlA" rel="nofollow">http://youtu.be/nu6T0MKUmlA</a>  
Posted by babywat[/QUOTE]

babywat - you are certainly busy spamming the boards tonight!  reported again.

iloveu4ever

one or the other not both candy one sounds better

HisGirlOnly

I agree with the candy but it may get wild. Children and sugar they tend to get aggitated if given too much. How about a favor table where the kid friendly wrapped in special boxes? In the gift put each of their names personally to make them feel important. Have a few kids songs. Also you may want to include a coloring book and crayons. This will keep them busy and it wont be so hyped up if you know what I mean. I work with children or should say I used to. Another thing you could do a friend of mine did in NY was have a special room set aside for them to go and play watch movies or just rest. Lets face it kids can get very ansy with events like these. Good Luck.

missmckenzie2

We are going ice cream sundae bar, but also doing cake. I have never been to a wedding that had one so we were excited to do something a little different. Is the ice cream bar supposed to be the favor too? If i got candy I would know its a favor whereas with ice cream I probably wouldn't think it was because I can't take it with me.

HisGirlOnly

Ice Cream would be considered a desert. Also with the Candy favors for the kids you may also want to consider some sugar free candy for those children with health problems such as ADHD orDiabetees's .

slpankuch

Personally I would just do the candy. People love candy buffets plus they add to your decor.
Having both might be sugar overdose for some people. Plus as people mentioned above, it could be messy to have an ice cream buffet.
Have the cake with a choice of vanilla or chocolate ice cream (maybe 1-2 toppings if you really want) on the side if you really want to add ice cream to the mix.

jmk5629

We are having a kids table (there are only a few kids invited) but that table will be just for kids and we're going to have candy and fun stuff for them on there. We are only going a cookie  table but I'm going to have some candy on that too. I think an ice cream bar is too messy.

michellenaomi81

I am getting married next August and we will be having a candy bar as the guest goodies and we'll be having an ice cream sundae bar in addition to the cake. We will have attendants at the ice cream sundae bar so I'm not too concerned that it's going to be a mess!