Creating A Sweet Cart For Your Wedding Day

A sweet cart is a delightful way to add a touch of fun and personality to your wedding reception. Whether you buy or DIY, here's how to make a sweet cart for your wedding.

First, decide whether you want to buy a ready-made sweet cart or build your own. If you're crafty and enjoy a challenge, building your own sweet cart can be a fun project. You'll need an old wooden chest, a wheelbarrow, wood for the frame, and various tools like a drill and sandpaper. You can find detailed instructions online.

If you'd rather buy a sweet cart, there are many options available on Amazon and Etsy, with prices ranging from £4.99 to £547.20. Some carts come with decorations and supplies, like jars, scoops, and bags, while others are more basic and will require additional purchases.

Once you have your cart, it's time to fill it with sweets! You'll want to offer a variety of options to suit different tastes and dietary restrictions. Calculate how much you'll need by providing at least 100g of sweets per guest. Then, choose your favourites, from retro classics like Flying Saucers to chocolates like Ferrero Rocher. Don't forget to keep chocolate treats cool!

Finally, add some personal touches to your cart. Decorate it with ribbons and bunting that match your wedding colour scheme. You can also customise the sweet bags with your wedding date or initials.

Your sweet cart is now ready to delight your wedding guests!

Sourcing a pre-made sweet cart

If you're looking for a pre-made sweet cart for your wedding, there are several options available online. Here are some places you can source one:

Etsy

Etsy offers a wide range of wedding candy carts, including large 6-foot options, mini versions, and collapsible or foldable designs. Some carts come with customisation options, such as different colours or personalised stickers. You can also find candy cart plans on Etsy if you want to build your own.

Amazon

Both Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk offer a variety of candy carts suitable for weddings. These range from simple tabletop displays to large, 6-foot tall carts with wheels. Some carts are customisable, allowing you to choose colours and add decorations to match your wedding theme.

Myweddinghire.com

Myweddinghire.com offers a charming, handmade replica of a vintage cart with fully functional wheels. This cart is customisable, allowing you to use ribbons and bunting to match your wedding colour scheme. The company provides delivery and collection services, ensuring your sweet cart arrives on time and is hassle-free.

With these options, you can easily source a pre-made sweet cart for your wedding, customising it to fit your unique style and personality.

Building a sweet cart from scratch

Building a sweet cart for a wedding from scratch is a fun and creative project that can add a unique touch to your special day. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you build your own sweet cart:

Materials and Tools:

• Old wooden chest
• Wheelbarrow
• Wooden boards
• Sanding sheets (80 to 120-grain)
• Jigsaw blade (BIM, T 308 BF)
• Cordless combi drill
• Torx screws (4 x 40 mm and 3.5 x 20 mm)
• Bubble wrap
• 5 mm plywood boards
• Wood glue
• G-clamps
• Adhesive tape
• Wooden handles made from squared timbers (optional)
• Paint (optional)

Step 1: Finding and Preparing the Chest

Start by finding an old wooden chest. You can look for one in an attic, or you can find one on an online classifieds site. Once you have your chest, sand it down using the sanding sheets to prepare it for a new coat of varnish or paint.

Step 2: Creating the Cart Base

The base of your sweet cart will be a wheelbarrow. Remove the tray from the wheelbarrow frame. Measure the height of the frame at the front and back to determine the thickness of the wooden boards you'll need to create a level surface for the chest. Cut small wooden boards to fit the frame and screw them into place to form a 'U' shape.

Step 3: Attaching the Chest

Place the chest in the centre of the wooden support you created. Use four screws to fasten the chest from the inside to the wooden support. If your chest is old and needs extra support, attach decorative wooden slats to the lower end for added stability.

Step 4: Building the Inner Box

To keep your sweets cool and fresh, especially during hot summer days, you'll want to build a watertight inner box. Use 15 mm plywood boards cut to the appropriate size to create a box that fits inside your chest. Assemble the box using wood glue and screws. Line the inside of the inner box with bubble wrap to provide insulation. Secure the bubble wrap with adhesive tape.

Step 5: Creating the Tray and Compartments

Cut 5 mm plywood boards to create a tray and compartments for your sweets. You'll need two long side walls, five short side walls, dividers, and a bottom panel. Sand the cut edges for a smooth finish. You can also add wooden handles to the tray for easier transport. Assemble the tray using wood glue and adhesive tape.

Step 6: Final Assembly and Decoration

Once all the parts are dry and ready, it's time for final assembly. Place the inner box with the bubble wrap inside the large chest. Set the small upper tray on top of the box, resting on the edge. You can now paint your sweet cart to match your wedding colour scheme or add decorations like ribbons and bunting.

Your sweet cart is now ready to be filled with delicious treats for your wedding guests to enjoy!

Choosing a colour scheme

Decide on Your Wedding Colours

If you have already chosen a colour scheme for your wedding, you can use the same colours for your sweet cart. This will create a cohesive look that ties in with the rest of your wedding decor. Consider using the same colours for ribbons, bunting, or other decorations on your sweet cart.

Complementary Colours

If you want your sweet cart to be a focal point, you can choose colours that complement your wedding colours. For example, if your wedding colour is pink, you could use green or purple accents on your sweet cart, as these colours complement each other. Be sure to choose a complementary colour scheme that still fits the overall theme and aesthetic of your wedding.

Vintage or Rustic Theme

For a vintage or rustic wedding, opt for soft, romantic colours such as blush pink, sage green, or cream. You can also use lace or burlap accents to add to the vintage or rustic charm. A wooden sweet cart with vintage-style glass jars will further enhance this theme.

Bright and Bold

If you want your sweet cart to be fun and vibrant, go for bright and bold colours! Colours like yellow, orange, or fuchsia will definitely make a statement. You can also use patterned ribbons or bunting to add more visual interest. This approach is perfect for a summer wedding or a wedding with a playful theme.

Monochromatic Scheme

A monochromatic colour scheme can be elegant and sophisticated. Choose different shades, tints, and tones of a single colour to create a cohesive and stylish look. For example, if you choose blue as your main colour, you can use various shades of blue, from light blue to navy, to create a beautiful and elegant sweet cart display.

Personalisation

Make your sweet cart even more special by incorporating your wedding colours into the treats themselves. For example, you can have candies or chocolates in your chosen colours, or use coloured sugar or sprinkles to decorate cupcakes or cookies. This attention to detail will delight your guests and make your sweet cart truly unique.

Picking the right sweets

Variety is the Spice of Life

Offer a mix of retro classics, gourmet treats, and classic sweets. Retro favourites like Drumsticks, Refreshers, Flying Saucers, and cola bottles will evoke nostalgia and add a fun element to your cart. Include some standard choices like jelly beans, marshmallows, and chocolate options such as Maltesers, M&Ms, or Ferrero Rocher. For a unique touch, consider adding some gourmet options like handcrafted gelato or unique chocolate creations.

Dietary Requirements

It's important to cater to different dietary needs and label allergens clearly. Offer vegetarian or vegan options, and ensure you have a variety of sweets that cater to different dietary restrictions. Check out suppliers like The Conscious Candy Company, Guilt-Free Sweet Shop, or M&S for veggie-friendly treats.

Quantity

A good rule of thumb is to provide at least 100g of sweets per guest. For a guest list of 100, you'll need around 10kg of sweets. You can always refill containers with cheaper options if needed, and don't forget that guests may want to take some sweets home with them.

Presentation

The right containers can make your sweet cart even more appealing. Choose traditional jars, vases, or stands that suit your wedding theme and ensure they fit on your cart or table. If you want your containers to look full, place an upturned glass inside larger containers to push the sweets to the edge.

Scoops, Tongs, and Bags

Hygiene is essential, so make sure you have enough scoops and tongs for each sweet type. Have extras on hand in case of accidents. Provide paper bags so guests can take sweets home, and consider customising the bags with your wedding date, initials, or personalised stickers.

Your sweet cart is sure to be a hit with these tips in mind!

Adding the finishing touches

Now that your sweet cart is assembled and filled with treats, it's time to add the final flourishes to make it truly special. Here are some ideas for those perfect finishing touches:

Ribbons and Banners

Add a burst of colour and a festive feel to your cart by tying ribbons to the cart's handles or sides. Opt for colours that complement your wedding theme or match the ribbons to the colours of your sweets. You could also hang a "Love is Sweet" banner or a similar sign above the cart to invite your guests to indulge.

Flowers and Foliage

Incorporate fresh or artificial flowers and foliage to bring a touch of nature into your display. Flowers add a romantic and elegant feel to your cart, especially if they match your wedding bouquet. Faux flowers or greenery can also be a cost-effective option.

Fairy Lights

Twinkle lights draped over your sweet cart will create a magical and enchanting atmosphere. Opt for warm white lights or coloured fairy lights to accentuate your wedding colour palette. Just ensure any lighting is safe to use around food.

Personalised Touches

Customise your sweet cart with personalised stickers, tags, or labels. Add your initials, wedding date, or a sweet message to the containers, bags, or even the cart itself. These small details will make your cart feel extra special and memorable.

Decorative Containers

While simple glass jars are a classic choice, you can elevate your display with decorative containers. Look for vintage-style jars, colourful bowls, or themed containers that fit your wedding theme. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, you could use seaside-themed containers.

Remember, the finishing touches are all about personalising your sweet cart to match your style and wedding theme. Get creative, and don't be afraid to mix and match different elements to create a unique and delightful display that your guests will adore.

Frequently asked questions