How Early to Buy Candy for a Wedding

As you might have supposed, planning a wedding involves numerous details; from choosing the perfect suit to selecting the right venue. Among these details is the task of organizing the sweet treats for your special day.

Candy, often featured in candy buffets, or dessert tables, can add a charming touch to your wedding celebration. However, one common question that arises is: how early to buy candy for a wedding?

In this article, we will talk about various factors that influence the timing of your candy purchase. We will also talk about storage conditions, types of candy, and seasonal availability. So let’s see how early you should buy candy for your wedding, and how to ensure that your candy is fresh and delicious on your big day!

Factors That Influence the Timing of Your Candy Purchase

1. Storage Conditions

When deciding how early to buy candy for your wedding, you must first consider storage conditions. Different types of candy have different storage requirements, and improper storage can affect their taste, texture, and appearance. Here are some general guidelines:

• Chocolate: You should store chocolate candies in a cool, dry place. It should be away from direct sunlight and strong odors. If stored properly, chocolate can last for months. However, if you live in a warm climate or your wedding is in the summer, you might want to purchase chocolate closer to the wedding date to prevent melting.
• Hard Candy: Hard candies, such as lollipops and candy canes, have a longer shelf life so you can purchase them several months in advance. You should store them in an airtight container to prevent them from becoming sticky.
• Gummy Candy: These candies can last several months if you store them in a cool, dry place. However, they can become stale and hard if exposed to air. It is ideal to keep them in airtight containers.
• Marshmallows: Marshmallows can last for several months but can become stale if not stored properly. Make sure to keep them in an airtight container and away from any moisture.

As you can see, most candies should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity. Also, although it might seem like a good idea, make sure not to refrigerate candies! This can cause condensation when brought back to room temperature, which can lead to spoilage or texture changes.

2. Type of Candy

The type of candy that you choose for your wedding also impacts how early you should buy it. Some candies have a longer shelf life than others, which allows you to purchase them well in advance. Here are a few examples:

• Candy Favors: If you intend to give candy favors to your guests, consider purchasing them a few months in advance. Hard candies, mints, and individually wrapped chocolates are good options as they have a longer shelf life.

• Candy Buffet: For a candy buffet, you can buy most candies a few months ahead of time. However, fresh candies like chocolate-covered fruits or nuts should be purchased closer to the wedding date.

• Dessert Table: If you plan to include candy on your dessert table, consider the shelf life of each type of candy. Fresh candies, such as truffles or chocolate-covered strawberries, should be bought a few days before the wedding.

• Hard candies: As mentioned, these have the longest shelf life, so you can purchase them several months in advance. Examples include lollipops, rock candy, and hard mints.

• Gummy candies: Gummies and other chewy candies can last a few months. However, they might lose their texture over time. You should buy these 1-2 months before the wedding.

• Candy-Coated Nuts and Fruits: These can generally last a few months but you should store them in a cool, dry place to prevent spoilage.

• Specialty Candies: Candies with fillings, such as truffles or pralines, should be purchased closer to the wedding date. Typically, you should buy these 2-4 weeks in advance.

3. Seasonal Availability

Another important factor you need to consider is the seasonal availability of candies that you intend to buy. For example, some candies are only available during certain times of the year, such as holiday-themed treats. If your wedding is during the holiday season, you may want to buy candy well in advance to ensure that you get what you want.

• Holiday-Themed Candy: If you plan to include holiday-themed candies on your wedding, such as candy canes for a winter wedding or heart-shaped chocolates for a Valentine’s Day wedding, make sure to purchase them as soon as they become available in stores.

• Limited-Edition Candy: Limited edition candies or special flavors may also be available for a very short time. Keep an eye out for these treats and buy them early if they fit your wedding theme.

Note that, if your wedding is during winter, you will have more flexibility in purchasing candies, as cooler temperatures help preserve freshness. For summer weddings, especially those held outdoors, it is crucial to buy candies closer to the wedding date to avoid melting and spoilage.

If your wedding falls during peak wedding season, which is usually late spring or early fall, order your candies early to avoid potential supply issues. This way, you will ensure to get your preferred selection.

Tips for Ensuring Freshness

Ensuring that your candy is fresh and delicious on your wedding day is crucial. Here are some tips that will help you achieve that:

1. Check Expiration Dates

Make sure to always check expiration dates on the candy packaging before purchasing. This is especially important if you are buying candy in bulk. Choose candies with the longest shelf life to ensure they remain fresh until your wedding day.

2. Store Properly

Proper storage is essential to maintaining the freshness of your candy. Make sure to use airtight containers to keep out moisture and air. Also, store your candies in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing candy near strong-smelling items, as they can easily absorb odors.

3. Avoid Buying Too Early

It might be quite tempting to buy all your candy months in advance. However, it’s important to avoid purchasing certain candies too early. Fresh candies, such as chocolate-covered fruits or nuts, should be bought closer to the wedding date to ensure they remain fresh.

4. Order Samples

If you are not sure about the shelf life or quality of a particular candy, consider ordering samples before making a bulk purchase. This will allow you to test the candy’s freshness and taste before committing to a larger order.

You might also want to check our Wedding Candy Collection.

Timeline for Buying Wedding Candy

Here is a suggested timeline to help you plan your candy purchase effectively:

6-9 Months Before the Wedding

• Research and planning: Start researching different types of candies, suppliers, and prices. Decide on the type of candy buffet or favors you want.

• Budgeting: Establish your candy budget and allocate funds accordingly. Keep in mind the cost of both candies and the containers or packaging.

3-6 Months Before the Wedding

• Sample tasting: Order samples of your chosen candies to taste and ensure quality. This is especially important for custom or specialty candies.

• Finalize selection: Finalize the types and quantities of candies you will need. Make sure to consider a bit extra to account for any last-minute additions or unexpected guests.

• Place orders: For hard candies, candy-coated nuts, or other long-lasting candies, place your orders during this time. Coordinate with suppliers to ensure delivery a few months before the wedding.

1-2 Months Before the Wedding

• Order perishable candies: For chocolates, gummies, and other candies with shorter shelf lives, place your orders in this period. Confirm delivery dates to ensure the candies arrive on time but are still fresh.

• Storage preparations: Prepare your storage area, making sure it’s cool, dry, and secure. Purchase any necessary storage containers or packaging materials.

2-4 Weeks Before the Wedding

• Receive and inspect: You should receive your candies during this period. Make sure to inspect them for quality and freshness. Then, store them in the designated area following the proper storage guidelines.

• Packaging and Assembly: Start assembling wedding favors or setting up your candy buffet. If you have helpers, organize a candy assembly party to speed up the process and make it enjoyable.

1 Week Before the Wedding

• Final checks: Perform final checks to make sure that all candies are in good condition. Make any last-minute adjustments or replacements if necessary.

• Setup: Start setting up your candy buffet or distributing the favors to their designated locations. Ensure that everything is ready and beautifully presented.

How Early to Buy Candy for a Wedding | Final Words

As you can see, buying candy for your wedding involves careful planning and consideration of various factors. These may include storage type and condition, type of candy, and seasonal availability.

By taking these factors into account, you can ensure that your candy remains fresh and delicious for your special day. Also, remember to check expiration dates, store your candy properly, and avoid purchasing certain candies too early.

With these tips in mind, you will be well-prepared to delight your guests with a sweet and memorable candy display at your wedding.

You might also want to check out Most Elegant Bulk Candies for Weddings. It will present you with some amazing tips on candy presentation and choosing the ideal flavor combinations. 

FAQs

• How far in advance should I buy chocolate for my wedding?

• You can buy chocolate several months in advance if you store it properly in a cool, dry place. However, if your wedding is in a warm climate or during summer, consider purchasing it closer to the wedding date to prevent melting.

• Can I buy gummy candies several months before my wedding?

• Yes, you can purchase gummy candies several months in advance if you plan to store them in a cool, dry place in airtight containers. Just make sure to keep them away from air and moisture to prevent them from becoming stale and hard.

• How can I ensure the freshness of chocolate-covered fruits or nuts for my wedding?

• Chocolate-covered fruits or nuts should be purchased a few days before the wedding. That way, you will ensure they remain fresh and delicious. Store them in a cool and dry place until the wedding day.