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The Whole Works
By Louise Baltruschat Hollis
Have a sweet tooth? Or know your guests will be after some sugary snacks on your wedding day? Unsure just how to create a wedding sweet table and how to style your sweeties to perfection?
I am here to my rescue, with my foolproof sweetie table guide. I’ll be sharing the lowdown on what to include on your table, how to set it up, the best placement and of course, all the gorgeous wedding sweet table ideas! Sound good? Let’s go.
Photo: Carrie Lavers Photography via Gilbert Whites House Barn Wedding Decoration: LulaBee
Before we cover the logistics of how to set up your wedding sweet table and what you need. Let’s take a look at some seriously sweet inspiration to help you find your dream sweetie set-up.
If your venue has some shelving in place, or you have a unit at home. Utilise it by using to display your sweets.
Photo: Kim Williams Weddings via Brighton Barn Wedding Sweet Table Sign: Small Type Studio
Boho cool, this vintage bamboo unit looks fantastic filled with sugary treats.
Photo: Kazooieloki Photography via Pampas Grass Barn Wedding Décor/Hire Born Boho
Own a tired dresser or found a free one? Give it a lick of paint for a new lease of life.
Photo: Matt Moore Photography via Bohemian Tipi Wedding
How stylish is this acrylic sweet table sign with paper boxes for guests to fill?
Photo: Terri & Lori Photo and Film via Boho Rustic Barn Wedding
Sweets not your thing? How about a statement cookie wall instead?
Photo: The Light Painters via Hazel Gap Barn Wedding Cookie Wall: Ruby Lou’s Cake Company
A dressing table is a great option to use for a sweet table thanks to its reflective mirror. PS. how good do those macaron towers look?!
Photo: Katherine Ashdown Photography via Barnston Lodge Wedding Sweetie Table: Sophies Bakes Cakes
Tower up your sweets vertically with a specialist stand such as this one.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Milton Keynes Wedding
When sourcing sweet containers, think about mixing different shapes and heights for a stylish effect.
Photo: Amy Lou Photography via Castletown Woodland Weddings
Grazing tables are all the rage. And does it get any better than a sweet feast?
Photo: Katherine Ashdown Photography via Holkham Hall Wedding Sweet Table: Dust With Coca
To ensure all your sweets are in full view think about raising jars with wooden crates or stands.
Photo: Rebecca Carpenter Photography via Hoop Decor Wedding Ideas Stylist: Coastal Wedding Event Hire
If floor space is limited, create a sweet wall using wooden plants and hooks. Ingenious!
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Northamptonshire Barn Wedding
Buckets are such a fun way to store sweets and add a seaside vibe too.
Photo: Amber Louise Photography via Whimsical Wonderland Wedding
Have fun with your sweets by having a themed table. Add coordinating decor and a funny sign to tie in with your overall wedding theme.
Photo: Adam and Grace via Tullyveery House Wedding
Why not double up your wedding cake table with your sweets for a show-stopping display?
Photo: Rebecca Carpenter Photography via Hoop Decor Wedding Ideas Stylist: Coastal Wedding Event Hire
Paper bags are a great option for storage. This table has savoury snacks and pretzels to ensure every guest is happy.
Photo: Paul and Tim Photographers via Eclectic Wedding
Add a chocolate fountain centrepiece to your sweets for dipping. Yum!
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Cooling Castle Barn Wedding Chocolate Fountain: Olly’s Elegant Hire
To create the ultimate boho sweetie table, add macrame, pampas grass and natural elements.
Photo: Camilla Andrea Photography via Whimsical Boho Wedding Prop Hire: Rock The Day
Pretty meringue kisses displayed in wooden trays are simple yet beautiful.
Photo: Charlotte Hu Photography via Yew Tree Lakes Wedding Meringues: Meringue Girls
An old vintage bureau or desk can look wonderful for a sweetie table set up.
Photo: HBA Photography via Calke Abbey Wedding
Wooden crates can be inexpensive or free to source, plus they add all the rustic vibes.
Photo: Emma and Rich via Cowshed Woodhall Farm Wedding
Find a small or large wooden wedding ladder and stack sweets high.
Photo: Emma Barrow Photography via Wonwood Barton Wedding Planner: AMTStyling
How beautifully vintage does this table set up look? Wow.
Photo: Sarah Jayne Photography via Eco Friendly Wedding Inspiration Styling: The South West Wedding Company
Try hanging your sweetie jars for a unique table style.
Photo: LJM Photography via Romantic Coral Summer Wedding Sweet Table: Every Event Hire
Rent a wooden ferris wheel for an interactive sweet table idea.
Photo: James Green Photographer via Whimsical Countryside Yurt Wedding
Go old school with a proper pick n’ mix set-up for all the nostalgia.
Photo: Fairclough Studios via Fun Quirky Colourful Floral Wedding Sweets: The Sweet Cellar
Does it get any better than your faces on your wedding sweets?!
Photo: Robert Leons Photography via Langar Hall Wedding
Sweet and pretty, this pink and white sweetie card looks fantastic.
Photo: Terri & Lori Photography and Film Studio via Sheene Mill Wedding
Have some lovely cookware you could repurpose? Try it out on your sweet table.
Photo: Samantha Kay Photography via Post-Elopement Reception Party
It never ceases to amaze me the ways a wooden pallet can be used at a wedding. And here one is as a sweetie table, brilliant!
Photo: Cotton Candy Photography via Railway Station Wedding
This painted trolley looks really lovely, I especially love the chalkboard effect sign.
Photo: Stevie Jay Photography via 92 Burton Road Wedding
Large open vases can be ideal for a stylish sweet container.
Photo: L’Ordine della Giarrettiera via Villa Del Grumello Wedding Planner: DAB Wedding
Perfect for Easter weddings, chocolate eggs are sure to prove popular.
Photo: Sara Reeve
This opulent red and gold sweet table really looks glorious.
Photo: Victoria Tyrrell Photography via Fairytale Whimsical Burgundy Gold Wedding
Rustic yet simple, this wooden table is a fantastic base for sweets.
Photo: Jo Bradbury via Lavender Grey Wedding
Perfect for a tipi wedding, a wooden sweetie card looks like it’s from a bygone era.
Photo: Natalie D Photography via Unique Country Farm Tipi Wedding
Raid lofts or charity shops for suitcases to use to display your sweet treats.
Photo: Story and Colour Photography via Colourful Fun Loving London Wedding
These mini caterpillar cakes are the cutest!
Photo: Amber Louise Photography via Minamlist Barn Wedding Cakes: M & S
Bring along a stylish drinks trolley from home for a sustainable table option.
Photo: Golden Vibes Photo via Magical Fairytale Wedding Ideas Bakery: Sweet Petite Treats
Autumn couples will love this dipping apple idea. Such fun!
Photo: Photography34 via Ox Pasture Hall Wedding
Add sweeties to drawers. Just be careful to weigh the chest down to prevent it from topping over.
Photo: Chris Cowley
A wedding sweet table is a tasty feast of sweet treats ready to be devoured. But it’s also good to think about the practicalities of having one at your wedding. It’s a good idea to think about what you actually need to include.
To cut costs, of course, you can simply buy some tubs of sweets and leave them out. However, things may get messy and complicated. Plus, it may not match the rest of your wedding colour scheme.
So, for a stylish, organised and successful sweet table, you’re going to need some essentials.
First things first, you are going to want some sweeties. You could go for classic pick n’ mix, boiled sweets, fizzy jellies, wrapped sweeties or mini chocolates. In fact, you could opt for mini cakes, doughnuts, meringues, lollies, cookies or macarons if you are looking for something more substantial. Pick n’ mix sweets are likely to be more cost-effective though.
Try to supply a small bag or plate of sweets for each of your wedding guests (and you!). That way there will be enough for everyone to enjoy.
Photo: Terri & Lori Photography and Film Studio via Sheene Mill Wedding
Sweets in their original tubs or jars may suit your wedding theme. But if they are unsightly you can decanter sweeties into jars of your choice. Glass jars, Kilner jars and canisters with lids are best. Lidded containers will ensure the sweets are airtight to help them stay fresh and clean. Plus protect them from the elements, especially if your sweet table is set to be outdoors.
If you want to go without lids, it may be best to serve the sweets later on when they are about to be eaten. You could collect free jam jars, borrow containers, hire or buy sweet jars. Some wedding decor hire companies have specialist sweetie carts and containers which may make things really simple for you.
It may sound obvious but try to have containers for each type of sweet treat. That way guests can easily access the sweets they like or are able to eat if they have dietary requirements.
Photo: Photographer Liam Gillan via Willingale Village Hall Wedding
Next up, you’re going to want some spoons, tongs or scoops. This helps to keep things tidy as well as hygienic. Also, consider the size of your container openings, double check your scoops can fit inside comfortably.
It’s also sensible to provide an empty container to store the scoops and keep things neat and clean.
Photo: Binky Nixon via Creative Spring Floral Wedding
It’s all well and good creating a wedding sweet table of dreams. But if no one uses it or doesn’t know if they are allowed to, it’s going to be a waste of time and effort.
Creating clear wedding signs or instructions directing guests to your sweet table and how to use it will ensure guests will dig in. Also labelling sweets so everyone knows what they are is sensible to avoid any confusion. Consider providing some gluten/dairy/nut-free or vegan alternatives to the side for guests with dietary requirements.
Photo: Ana Parker Photography via Portugal Destination Wedding Sign: Painted By Katie
Be sure to give guests paper sweetie bags, plates or bowls on the sweetie table. It will mean less sugary mess and keep everything in one place. Paper bags may be best as they can be wrapped up and taken home if guests don’t finish their treats by the end of your wedding day.
If you are having baked goods, plates or bowls may be easier for guests to use though. Offering napkins is a good idea to allow guests to clean themselves up.
Photo: Chris Randle Photography via Le Petit Chateau Wedding
Finally, once you have all the practical elements nailed, you can then think about the pretty wedding decorations!
The sweets and containers themselves can provide enough decor, especially when teamed with a lovely sign. But you could add flowers, table confetti, balloons, lights, garlands, bunting, ribbon, table runners or a statement backdrop behind. That will really make your table sing as well as draw attention to it.
Photo: Brook Rose Photography via Green Copper Rustic DIY Wedding
Ideas For What To Include On A Sweetie Table
When it comes to setting up a wedding sweet table it’s a good idea to have a plan of action.
Once you have all your sweetie table items, note them all down so you remember all the elements for your table. This can then be used by a handy helper, your wedding venue or wedding planner to use on the day.
If you want to be super organised, you could even do a trial set-up at home. Then take a photograph of how you want it to look so it can be set up to your satisfaction without needing to be involved.
Photo: Ria Mishaal via Babington House Wedding
It could be you want it ready for your ceremony, or at your welcome drinks. Some couples prefer to wait until the evening to put out sweets.
Think about the food you are providing during the day and if you have young children in attendance. Sweets too early could cause a bit of a sugar rush or interrupt guests’ appetite for the wedding breakfast.
Keep sweets airtight for as long as possible and have them set up as close as you can to serving time. You could have everything else set up and simply add the sweet treats later on. Then it’s time to enjoy all the sugar!
Photo: Curious Rose Photography via Clapton Country Club Wedding
Then, there is the consideration of where to put your wedding sweet table. When you’ve decided when to serve, you can choose the room (or outdoor space) in which you want your table. Then it’s a case of deciding where has enough space and visibility for guests to use it.
Photo: Stevie Jay Photography via Cute Rainbow Wedding
You do not need a wedding sweet table. There are no rules about what should or shouldn’t be included in terms of food or treats at a wedding. Never feel pressured to have something just because you feel it’s the done thing.
Stay true to yourself and what is important to you both on your day.
Photo: Wild Tide Weddings via Trevenna Barns Wedding
That's a wrap! All the advice for planning your wedding sweet table plus oodles of sweetie table ideas for your wedding. Yay!
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