Your opinion on Candy Bars/Buffets

CallaLily25

WDYT?

Awesome? Overdone?

I think they're awesome. FI thinks they're "unnecessary but fun." My mom thinks they're "tacky," and FMIL thinks they're "super fun."

I'm just not sure if it's worth doing. I've never been to a wedding with one (only been to 2 weddings in my life), so I don't know how guests usually react to them.

Thanks!

mysticl

I've seen it done once.  The kids at the wedding really like it.  I'm neutral on it.  

doeydo

I like junk food, so I like them. 

Aray82

I love candy, so I'm in! I think if you do them in a non-tacky way (get good quality candy, have a nice display, etc) they don't have to be tacky.

FutureMrsN3312

FI and I both have a big sweet tooth. We're doing a candy bar as part of our favor. My mom thinks it a great idea because it's very "us". FMIL hates the idea. She would like us to give an actual useless gift. I can give you a recommendation for a company if you'd like.

ktjanesmom

I just wish people would call it a candy buffet and not a candy bar. Just my personal feeling.  Ive never seen it done but I think if it was done nicely, it could be cute. No, I dont mean that at all.  I think its really a silly waste of money.

Senecaf

It's cute. I don't like candy so I wouldn't take any or spend money on it for my own wedding but it's seems like a fun favor idea.
Maybe a little overdone though. They are super popular right now

WonderRed

Meh.  I definitely don't think they're tacky but I'm not a fan of them just because I'm not much of a candy person.   I do agree that they're kind of overdone over the last decade.

ohannabelle

I think it could be pretty, if done well. And I know this will probably be unpopular, but most of the time they are just gross. Especially when the candy is chosen simply to match a color scheme, and I'm looking at pounds of blue skittles and blue lollipops and blue jelly beans and blue M&Ms, etc. I get kind of sugar sick just looking at it. If I was looking at a pretty display of truffles and divinity and good quality chocolate, I might feel differently. Show me a Sees candy display, with freshly made good things, and I would be thrilled. Color coordinated stale crap, with serving shovels, nope.

CallaLily25

ohannabelle said:

I think it could be pretty, if done well. And I know this will probably be unpopular, but most of the time they are just gross. Especially when the candy is chosen simply to match a color scheme, and I'm looking at pounds of blue skittles and blue lollipops and blue jelly beans and blue M&Ms, etc. I get kind of sugar sick just looking at it. If I was looking at a pretty display of truffles and divinity and good quality chocolate, I might feel differently. Show me a Sees candy display, with freshly made good things, and I would be thrilled. Color coordinated stale crap, with serving shovels, nope.

This is an excellent point that I never thought about! Thank you!

WinstonsGirl

I've never been to a wedding with one, and I've been to a lot.  I have a horrible sweet tooth and zero will power, so I'd be a happy camper with free reign.  

ohannabelle

I just got so happy about the idea of a truffle/Sees chocolates display that I A: ate chocolate, and B: checked out the See's website. I am a big fan of See's. Half the price of Godiva, and always fresh and good. Excellent customer service, and never had a problem with their delivery. At about 25 pieces per pound, this is feasible. And if I had one of the cafe hazelnut truffles this second, I would be blissful.

MissMWood

I love them! I went to a wedding that had a gorgeous candy buffet! Beautiful jars with yummy candy!

KytchynWitche

I think they need to be done properly or not at all.

I've seen it done at a shower where the bride's mom had clearly been on a rampage during the post-holiday sales and everything was just really stale and yuck. It wasn't even the good stuff, it was all weird off-brand junk. Needless to say, it was only the under 5s who actually touched any of it, and even they weren't too impressed.

But if it was done well, with good candy, and nice arrangements, it could be fun. Doing it well would probably cost an arm and a leg though, so there are probably better ways of spending the money.

climbingsingle

I've only seen it at one wedding. But I liked it. It was all prepackaged items though, like bite/fun size Snickers, Milky Ways - things like that. 

PolarBearFitz

I really really like the ones with specialty candies. Hand made barks, brittle, and chocolates sound divine. These are obviously more expensive and usually have less jars which I think makes sense. I mean they are sweets and meant to be a treat!

I have also seen some of the carnival themed ones which are okay but I am not a 'theme lover.'

The standard bite size snickers, M&M's, and other regular candies are sweet too. I just don't think you need a cake and a candy bar and a dessert bar. Some people go a little overboard with the sugar shock.

PolarBearFitz

Double post!

ElcaB

I think they can be a nice touch, when properly executed. As a budget bride, though, I'd spare myself the expense.

I've also never been to a wedding and been disappointed by the lack of candy bar.

melbelleup

I've seen them once, it was fun, but they didn't have enough candy and a ton of people took extras. I'm doing a photo booth instead. They can take all the extras they want and I won't run out.

melbelleup

aefitz29 said:

I just don't think you need a cake and a candy bar and a dessert bar. Some people go a little overboard with the sugar shock.

This is my issue with it other than running out of candy. We're doing a cookie table and chocolate fountain though, so no need for candy to be added in.

daria24

In theory, I think they are nice. However every one I have seen has prioritized matchy matchy colors to flavor. Ribbon candy is pretty, but seriously how many hard/flavorless sugary hot pink candies can anyone eat? If you are going to do it, choose candy that people actually like, not just the ones that match your pretty color scheme. Get some damn chocolate!

misssunshine17

I think it's overdone and doesn't really require any thought, so I guess that could be a positive for some, but I just think it's kind of lame. 

Maggie0829

I think if a couple is going to have one that it needs to be done well.  Like some PP have said, it needs to be full of good quality, fresh candy.  Not no-name, stale crap leftover from the holidays.

Oh and I hate color coordinated candy bars/buffets.  99% of the time the candy is shit.

So brides out there.  If you want to do this know that this will cost you more then you think and make sure to go with the good stuff.

As far as whether it is cute or not.  I really have no feelings towards it.  If it is there great, if not, then I am not missing it.

thisismynickname2

Count another vote for a fan!  I liked the candy as a to-go favor. I'd certainly take candy over a shot glass with your names and wedding date.  I've been to two weddings with the buffet and thought both were nicely done-- beautiful vases and cute bags. 

pittiemama14

Boo candy bars. Too much sweet for me. I would probably not even go up to see what was on it, let alone take some home unless it was very high quality/ some kind of specialty candy. I would save my money on that one.

chibiyui

I have a crazy sweet tooth, so I like them. I'll agree with almost everyone else on here to get good stuff, not the color matchy theme stuff. You can have some for color, but not everything. 

And if you have a wedding just after a holiday, I totally wouldn't judge you for clearance chocolate. I would just be happy that I have MORE CHOCOLATE.

AprilH81

If done correctly they can be fun and pretty, but so often the candy is chosen because it is cheap and/or the "right" color. 

I also think they are overdone, there are so many other options available that are "newer" that will provide the same effect.  You can do a popcorn bar, a s'mores bar (we are doing this), hot chocolate/coffee bar, a cigar bar, etc.

 

CallaLily25

This is all amazing insight! Thank you so much!

I think I'm leaning towards no candy bar OR if we have room in the budget, a specialty, high-quality candy bar.

arrippa

My friend had a candy bar and after all the eating and drinking, most people forgot to get candy. They had a ton left over that when she got back from her HM, she brought the candy to work.

southernbelle0915

I like them when it's adult dessert food, but whenever I've seen these, it's always crappy candy to match wedding colors. I never partake when that's the case because the candy is usually gross. This makes it kind of a waste of money.

A different option, we had a truffle bar at our wedding. We hired a chocolatier to make truffles and served it sort of in the same style of candy bar - except more adult geared. It was phenomenal and people still bring up to us how awesome it was. It was money well spent.

NYCBruin

Another vote for I love them, but I've never seen one that was color coordinated.

If you get good candy, I think they're awesome.

Mass-made candy bought just because it's a certain color sounds gross.