Reception Right-On: The Candy Bar

The candy bar has been something that has been very popular over the past few years, but I don’t see it fading out anytime soon! It’s not difficult to make a candy bar unique to your event. All of the different colors, types, and designs you can use can really give your candy bar a signature look.

The best part-guests LOVE candy bars!

Here are some examples from weddings I’ve done recently:

Looking for something other than a candy bar?

1.) A S'mores Bar!
Very messy, but guests love it!  Same idea as the candy bar with all of your ingredients in the jars.  Then you have an area at the end of the line where the guests can either roast the marshmallow themselves or you can have an attendant to make the s'more for them.

2.) Sundae Station
Most venues can set this up for you and make it look really nice!  This way, you don't have to worry about the transport of the ice cream.  The venue will usually provide toppings, but you can add flare with extras you can bring.

3.) Cookies
Did that just sound completely boring when I said cookies?  NO WAY!  I've seen a truly fantastic cookies and milk bar.  It may sound lame, but it's all in the presentation.  And who doesn't love cookies and milk?  I've also seen really great cookies that are placed on sticks and wrapped in cellophane to look like lollipops.  Very bright and colorful!

To Host or Not to Host?

The Bar. Oh, the bar.

At some point during the planning process the bar question has probably crossed your mind. Should I host the bar? Should I make it a cash bar? I don’t want to look cheap, but I’m seriously freaking out about my fiancé’s former frat buddies and the crazy bar tab they could rack up!

It’s ok. A recent cnn.com poll showed that most people don’t care if you have a cash or hosted bar. They don’t mind paying on their own and are just glad there is a bar at all!

However, there are many different combinations of bar services that most venues will accommodate. Here are a few options:

1.) Host only the cocktail hour. That way you contributed a bit and that’s when most people are going to drink anyway. The can pay for their own drinks after that cocktail hour.

2.) Host up to a certain dollar amount. If you have a budget and have a limit on what you can spend, host up to $500 or $1000 (whatever your dollar amount is). After that amount has been consumed, they will pay for their own drinks.

3.) Host beer and wine only.

4.) Host per person per hour. If you’re still scared about the frat boys and think the drinking based on consumption could be dangerous ground, many venues offer per person pricing. This way you can host for a few hours and they can drink as much as they want for a flat rate. This is a great idea if your group drinks a fair amount.

Most importantly: Don’t feel guilty. This is your wedding and if you want to have a cash bar, you have a cash bar!