What can I do instead of a candy bar?
If you are here looking for candy bar alternatives, you have come to the right place.
Don’t get us wrong; we love a good candy buffet!
It’s great for serving as a late-night snack, perfect for giving away instead of wedding favours, and for those having a kid-friendly wedding.
The candy buffet is one of those wedding trends that are here to stay.
Even adults are known to have a sweet tooth or two and are often the first in line to enjoy sugary snacks.
Late-night treats and buffets are a fantastic idea, and we recommend having them, especially if you have an alcoholic bar.
Guests love food.
If you had dinner service at 5:30 pm or even 6 pm and plan on having your guest stay out until 11 at night or 1 am, try to incorporate a late-night meal.
Serving alternative candy buffet options can double as a midnight snack at a wedding, depending on your choice, saving you a lot of money, especially if you are on a working budget.
So what are the best alternative candy bar ideas for a wedding?
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15 Candy Buffet Alternatives For Guests
Having a candy & dessert buffet at your wedding reception is not a bad idea, especially if you love candy.
But as much as we love candy buffets, there are other options you can offer your guests.
If candy is not your thing or you want to do something different, here are a few alternatives you can consider.
Making your wedding reception unique reflects who you are as a couple.
This includes feeding your wedding guests foods that you typically love.
Consider these alternatives if you are willing to skip out on having a wedding candy table at your wedding reception.
1. A wedding popcorn bar
So what’s popping?
Your wedding reception is!
For all popcorn lovers, here is a chance to include it in your wedding festivities!
I love this idea a lot.
It is the perfect alternative to a candy buffet table.
Set up a build-your-own popcorn bar by having guests choose their toppings.
Having a semi-DIY wedding popcorn bar is a simple yet thoughtful way to allow your wedding guests and friends to customize their snacks and help themselves to whatever whenever they want.
This is the perfect way to entertain guests at your reception.
2. Cotton Candy Wedding Station
If you are looking for excellent candy bar alternatives, consider setting up a cute candy cotton station.
This is a fantastic idea for couples that still love sugar but want something unique and fun to serve their wedding guests.
Honestly, why plan a simple wedding when you can have cotton candy?
It reminds me of fun carnivals and the fun times we had.
Plus, you can send your wedding guests home with something sweet, which is a win.
Source: Cassi Claire
3. Wedding Waffle Bar
Ate you looking to cater your guests to something unique during your reception?
Then set up a waffle bar instead of a candy buffet.
Sweet station ideas work well if the couple enjoys these treats frequently outside the wedding.
So if you enjoy going to brunch a couple of times a year or are having a brunch wedding, then having a waffle bar is an excellent idea.
Source: Alyssa Luzaich Photography / The Waffle Experience
4. Mini Churros
Set up a Churros station for a wedding!
This is a delicious food station idea for receptions; you can make them ready to go as favours.
A Churro bar will amp up the ambiance of your wedding and delight your guests.
Serve your Churros hot with drizzled chocolate and caramel.
And even better, have a few topping flavours for your guests.
These are the perfect treat for your dessert table display if you love Churros!
Photo by Beatbox Portraits
5. Pretzel Bar Wedding Station
Are you looking for some good candy buffet alternatives?
There’s a new option available to you.
A cute pretzel wall setup or a pretzel bar.
However you choose to set it up, your wedding guests will enjoy this delicious treat.
Who wouldn’t enjoy a hot soft pretzel that is fresh, salty, and amazingly savoury with a cold beer?
No one ever!
This is a fun candy bar alternative.
Source: Lisa Renault Photography
6. Hot Chocolate Wedding Bar
A hot chocolate bar will work perfectly for a winter wedding.
This couple nailed it!
You can serve many things at a wedding instead of a candy buffet.
A hot chocolate bar for a late-night treat or during cocktail hour is a great way to warm up your guests.
Another alternative could be a coffee bar or specialty liquor station.
Source: Isaiah + Taylor Photography
7. Wedding Donut Wall
Donut Station, anyone?
Should we say more?
Donut walls have been trendy for weddings for a few years, and I would like to say it is the perfect candy bar alternative for those who still crave sweets.
Whether you are planning a wedding shower, a fun get-together with your bridesmaids or your big day, a donut wall is a great way to serve your guests these delicious desserts.
Image Source via Troy Grover Photographers
8. Fruit and Vegetable Table
This not be the typical sweet station expected at a wedding, but vegetables are healthy, and you can have sweet fruits.
Either way, this gorgeous fruit and vegetable Station designed by Amy Atlas Events is to die for!
This is a great way to present fruits & veggies in a fun and stylish way that would appeal to your wedding guests.
I would dig in if I had to see the spread at a wedding.
9. Pie Table Wedding Display
Who says pie can’t be as elegant as a beautiful candy bar display?
Whether you plan to swap your candy buffet table display for delicious pie, adding this as an extra dessert will be a hit!
Not only does pie pair perfectly with weddings, but it’s one of the best seasonal foods.
Pies are a big hit, especially during fall and the special holidays.
If you plan to have a fall wedding, incorporating pie goodness into your wedding day is perfection!
Delicious pie is one hundred percent the best candy bar alternative!
Via Glacier Park Weddings & Events / Photos: Cluney Photo
10. Wedding Ice Cream Bar
You wouldn’t believe it when I say I DISLIKE ice cream.
And my 5-year-old daughter feels the same as I do.
Thank goodness.
My husband, however, will eat ice cream daily if he can.
If you love ice cream as much as he does and is looking for alternatives to having a candy buffet station, consider serving your guests ice cream.
Serving ice cream at a wedding reception is a unique idea and would ultimately be a big hit!
This is a great idea, especially if you are planning a summer wedding.
Source: Lena Mirisola Weddings
11. Cookie bar wedding table display
Cookies are fun and affordable.
If you are on a tight wedding budget, I suggest setting up a cute cookie bar with your wedding theme.
You can have assorted cookie flavours such as chocolate chip, sugar cookies, oatmeal raisins and any of your other personal favourites.
You can have a cute cookie and milk dessert display for your guests.
You don’t need to stick to a candy buffet.
Photo by Ed Brown Photography with desserts by Ruby Lou’s Treat Co
12. A popsicle bar
Couples looking for candy bar alternatives should consider having a popsicle bar!
A popsicle bar at a wedding is a great way to cool down your guest at a summer wedding!
To not have anything melt, this will need to be served as soon as you are ready for guests to have them.
You can also opt to have a popsicle cart with ice.
To jump on this summer wedding trend, serve creative popsicle flavours such as Strawberry Rosemary, Iced Tea, Mangle, Lychee, Cherry or any of your favourites.
Photo by Devon Donnahoo Photography with design by Amorology, signage by Prim & Pixie and backdrop by Back Up Backdrops
13. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
This idea will be perfect if you have a Valentine’s Day Themed wedding!
What’s more romantic than chocolate dipped chocolate strawberries?
Everyone can appreciate the crunch of chocolate coating a sweet, juicy strawberry.
Surprise your wedding guests with this super delicious and gorgeous fruit treat.
Source: SMP / Photographer: Troy Grover Photographers
14. Cake Pop Wedding Display
Cake pop wedding ideas your guests will love.
You can even serve cute bride and groom cake pops and set them on a dessert table display for your wedding reception guests!
These are perfect for a bridal shower, wedding reception, or as a wedding favour!
So many fun ways to display your alternative candy bar buffet ideas and wedding treats!
Via: SMP / Photographer: Caroline Tran Photography
15. Wedding Champagne Wall
Great your wedding guest with a champagne wall at your wedding reception to give it a chic and upscale ambiance.
You can customize this with your name, special signature champagne and even colours.
Double it with a backdrop for couples to take fun photos.
They can even work as decorative pieces depending on where you set them up.
This is one of the most elegant candy bar alternatives for weddings if you want something classy.
Via: Jenna McElroy
And there you have it; alternative candy bar ideas for your big wedding!
We have given you so many fantastic options.
I love them all!
Food stations are pretty standard for wedding receptions, bridal showers or any pre-wedding events you might have.
Which of these alternative candy buffet ideas will you go with?
Read more >:
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- Bridal shower cakes and cupcakes ideas
Don’t forget to check out our wedding printable shop to get more checklists, printables and everything you will need to plan a wedding.
This is such a great article! I love the concept of taking home churros after a wedding for a late night snack!