Candy and Dessert Buffets

If you are looking for a fun treat for your guests, candy or dessert buffets are becoming increasingly popular. Who doesn't love something sweet at the end of the night! Here we take a look at some creative options. 

Candy Buffet
One of the most popular treats at weddings is a candy buffet. You can either pick some of your favorite candies to display, such as M&M's, Gummy Bears, Swedish Fish, etc. 
Kate and Mike's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Cliff Mautner Photography
Lisa and Phillip's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Misty Dawn Photography
Or you can choose candies to match your wedding's color scheme!
Beth and Mike's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Misty Dawn Photography
Melissa and Brett's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Kella MacPhee Photography
The rule of thumb when buying candy is to estimate about half a pound of candy per person. You can also display the candy in different size jars with scoops. Then, provide your guests with bags or boxes to create their own mixture. This can be done as your guests' favor or just as an addition to dessert. It is shocking how excited grown adults get when they see a candy buffet!

Cookie Buffet
Another fun option is a cookie buffet. Often times, the couple will ask friends and family to bake some of their favorite cookies and then display them for guests. This is a chance to get the whole family involved. You can include old family recipes or favorites from your childhood. A nice touch would be to add cards with the type of cookie listed and give credit to those who helped with the baking. 
Both photos from Jacqui and Tim's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Clair Pruett Photography
Dessert Displays
You can also get creative with your dessert displays. Here are some unique ideas we have seen at past weddings. 

Donut Bar with Milk Shots
All three photos from Marcy and Dermot's Wedding
Photos courtesy of mkPhoto
Cupcake Display
Both photos from Jennifer and Jeremy's Wedding
Photos courtesy of Asya Photography
Cake Pop Display
Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Everyone loves a sweet treat. You can truly get creative with your displays and make them personal to you both as a couple!

-Jen

*All other images found via Google

Teaser Tuesday

What. A. Weekend! Four weddings from Philadelphia to Delaware to Cape May all on Saturday alone! Our teams really rocked this weekend and did a fabulous job!! Scroll on down to see all the pretty pictures and read about these wonderful weddings. 

Jenn and Hugo had the most beautiful wedding at the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia on Saturday. Their team of professionals were top-notch and the day was absolutely flawless. It started with the girls being pampered by Hair by Meghan and makeup done by Emily from Cheekadee. Then, we staged a beautiful first look in City Hall by Laurence Kim Photography and Video One Productions. Jenn and Hugo skipped around the city getting some amazing photos before heading back to their gorgeous ceremony. The teams at Petals Lane and Synergetic Sound and Lighting completely transformed the space into a lush garden with tons of romantic candlelight. The couple's ceremony was unique and special and was officiated by the bride's brother and the groom's father. Afterwards, the celebration continued with a delicious cocktail hour, which ended with dessert first! The bride and groom started the celebration by cutting the cake and sharing some sweet words with their guests. During the cocktail hour, all of our teams worked together to flip the space and completely switch the room from ceremony to reception. As guests entered the ballroom area, they were welcomed by a harpist in a garden- trees and benches lined the walls and seating assignments were displayed in flats of grass- Petals Lane really knocked this one out of the park! Inside the room, the gold linens, white florals, and beautiful stationery created an elegant look. The dancefloor was packed before dinner even started, which is no surprise, since DJ Jason Weldon put together and awesomely fun set. And the event ended with a cupcake and cookie truck by Buttercream and Insomnia and a sparkler sendoff on Broad Street! This was a dream-come-true wedding for Jenn and Hugo and I'm so honored we were included on such a beautiful (and FUN!) day! -Erin
Katie and Bob were married at The Church of St. John in Bryn Mawr. The kept things traditional and didn't see each other until Katie was walking down the aisle. Katie wore a beautiful fit and flare gown that was decorated with amazing bead work. She looked perfect! Katie and her bridesmaids started their day at the Loews Hotel with hair done by Jill from Up Your Do and Cindy from Dylan Michael Cosmetics. The girls wore cornflower blue that was carried through all of the stationery that we created for them. After taking photos around the city with their photographers from Filippone Photography, the couple and their bridal party headed over to Tendenza to join in at cocktail hour with their guests. As soon as you opened the doors you could smell the delicious food that was prepared by Cescaphe and you heard the sounds from the Tony Forliano Trio! Inside of the ballroom we were hard at work with the team onsite and team from Petals Lane. The couple kept things very simple and traditional but with all the decor in the ballroom at Tendenza, you don't need to do much! Guests enjoyed their dinner and then took to the dancefloor to dance the night away to the music played by Adam from Silver Sound Entertainment. It was a great day from start to finish! -Lisa
Gretchen and Sean were married...again! They started their day getting ready at Congress Hall with their three children, followed by a horse and carriage ride to the church, provided by Cape May Carriage Company. The girls had their hair and makeup done by In Style Down the Aisle. After the ceremony at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, they were the talk of the town when they returned to Congress Hall in the horse and carriage. Cocktail hour was held outside on the veranda and guests enjoyed plenty of seafood and a beautiful view of the beach. The ballroom looked so elegant and beautiful with the help of Manic Botanic, who designed the centerpieces for the tables. Synergetic Sound and Lighting provide blue uplighting and music that kept the dance floor packed all night. Joy Moody Photography captured fantastic images throughout the day with the help of First Floor Films who created the video. -Annemarie
Shannon and Mike finally had their dream wedding Saturday, after meeting in high school and dating for 13 years! Their unplugged wedding ceremony took place on the outdoor patio of White Clay Creek Country Club in Delaware Park and was officiated by Pastor Clevie Bell. In the reception room upstairs, Kyle from Synergetic Sound and Lighting, had the crowd entertained all night and guests lined up at the photo booth by Photo Booth Pros, who created a great guestbook for Shannon and Mike to take home. The beautiful flowers, which featured pink daisies, were done by Petal Pushers by Alexis, the tiered cake with fuchsia and aqua ribbon was made by Sweets to You by Ginger, and all the girls hair and makeup was done by Daneene Jensen and Associates. All of the fun moments of the night were captured by Joe from Ulrich  Photography and Martin's Video. We can't wait to share their photos with you but for now, here a few of our non-pro pics. -Caitlin

Get to Know Proud to Plan: Stephanie

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Childress Photography
Tell us about yourself: I am 24 years old. I graduated from the University of Delaware in 2011 with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management. Currently, I work full time in Center City Philadelphia at a private social club. 

Where do you live?: Wilmington, DE

Give us three words that best describe your personality: Outgoing, caring, goal-oriented

How did you get involved in the event industry?: Through my previous and current work experience, I've been involved in events in some way or another. I've worked the food and beverage end as well as the back end preparing lists and paperwork. I feel my ability to pay close attention to detail and always wanting to go the extra mile for guests to make their event extra special is what makes event planning such a natural fit for me. 

What's your favorite part of a couple's wedding day?: The look on the groom's face when he watches his bride walk down the aisle. After all the hard work that goes into planning a wedding is complete and the day has finally arrived, it's a beautiful moment to watch two people who love each other begin their lives together. 

When you're not doing events, what do you do?: I love going to new restaurants in the City (Philadelphia), meeting and catching up with friends at happy hour, spending time with my family and my boyfriend. I'm a very active person and love trying new things. My boyfriend and I enjoy planning fun dates on our time off together, such as visiting local craft breweries, wine tastings, (we are definitely foodies!) and bowling!

Do you have any hobbies? Or what do you do for fun?: In the past year, running has become a hobby of mine. During my free time, you can find me training for an upcoming race. 

Fun question, if you were stranded on a deserted island and could only bring one thing (not person), what would it be?: A good bottle of wine!

Get to Know Proud to Plan: Sharron

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Childress Photography
Tell us about yourself: I am a graduate of Temple University who enjoys trying new things and meeting new people. I'm a perfectionist and natural-born planner which means I don't have a single spontaneous bone in my body. I enjoy making people happy and I feel successful when I know I've made someone's dream a reality. I am very excited to be a part of this Proud to Plan team!

Where do you live?: I'm a Philadelphia Suburban girl! I grew up about 45 minutes outside of the city in Royersford and now I currently live in Manayunk. 

Give us three words that best describe your personality: Funny, Creative, Giving. 

How did you get involved in the event industry?: I've always had a passion for designing and planning events but it wasn't until I transferred to Temple University that I fell in love with this industry. I was originally a nursing student at Temple and found their Tourism and Hospitality Management program while browsing the site; it was at that moment that I knew I had found what I was born to do. 

What's your favorite part of a couple's wedding day?: My favorite part of a couple's wedding day is when they see each other at opposite ends of the aisle for the first time. I guess I'm traditional in that way; the way a couple looks at each other in that moment speaks volumes to me. It's beautiful. 

When you're not doing events, what do you do?: I am full time Meeting Manager for a Pharmaceutical company. I spend my days planning small and large corporate events in various cities around the world. Traveling to these different locations to execute my events is the greatest perk to my job! 

Do you have any hobbies? Or what do you do for fun?: My favorite thing to do is to spend time with my family and friends. It could be something simple like sitting in the house to going all out for a night of dancing; no matter what I know I'm going to have a great time. I'm lucky- I have an amazing family and great friends. 

Fun question, if you were stranded on a deserted island and could only bring on thing (not person) what would it be?: My German Sheperd, Mystic. I know she would protect me if need be and if nothing else, she would definitely make me laugh. 

Kate and Anthony's Wedding

Brace yourself for this stunner of a wedding! Kate hired Erin to plan her and Anthony's August wedding and wanted it to be glamorous and full of bling, since Kate loves sparkles! Lucky for her, Erin does too :) We started the glam theme with their Save the Dates and followed it through with all of their stationery and even their welcome bags. On the day of, Kate and her maids got ready in a suite at the Omni Hotel in Philadelphia and started their day with hair and makeup. The girls looked beautiful in their floor length, pale pink gowns and complemented the stunning bride in her traditional ball gown that was adorned with lots of sparkles and bead work. The couple was married in a traditional Greek Orthodox ceremony. The church was decorated with amazing trees that Brittany from Petals Lane created and she to bring the glam theme around, she decorated the trees with orchids and crystals- it looked so pretty and was the perfect touch! While the couple and their bridal party were taking their photos around the city, we were busy at work at the reception. The centerpieces were a mix of three different designs that all featured the pink color scheme with touches of green. The space was up lit in amber and Kate and Anthony decided to use the amazing chandeliers that are hung in the space to add more bling to their reception! Kate had one of the BEST reactions when she saw the space all decorated on wedding day. She actually squealed with joy when she saw everything and was so happy with how it all came together! The couple and their guests had an incredible night, enjoying the music from the band and the food from Cescaphe. You can see all of the fun they had by watching the highlight video at the end of this post from our good friends at Tweed Weddings!

Congratulations Kate and Anthony!

Videography: Tweed Weddings
Florist: Petals Lane
Stationery: Paper by Proud
Entertainment: East Side Mix
Makeup: Nina and Mandy from Cheekadee
Groom's Cake: Truly Custom Cakery
Lighting: Beautiful Blooms
Coordinators: Erin, Caitlin, and Laura