Creating Candy Trees For Your Wedding Day

Candy trees are a fun and whimsical addition to any wedding. They can be used as centrepieces or as treats for guests to enjoy. Making your own candy tree is a simple process that can be adapted to suit your wedding theme and colour scheme. All you need is a small flower pot or vase, a wooden dowel, some ribbon, a Styrofoam ball, glue, and your choice of sweets and treats. You can also decorate your tree with garlands, ornaments, and bows. The process is straightforward: cut your dowel to size, decorate it with ribbon, secure it to the Styrofoam ball, and stick your chosen sweets to the ball with melted chocolate or royal icing. Leave it to set, and your candy tree is complete!

Choosing a base for your candy tree

Wooden Dowel: A wooden dowel is a great option for the base of your candy tree. Look for a wooden dowel that is approximately 7/8" x 36" in size. You will need to cut it to the desired length, typically around 10" long. Wrapping the dowel with ribbon adds a decorative touch and helps to secure the candy attachments.

Flower Pot or Vase: A small flower pot or vase can be used as the base for your candy tree. These can be purchased from craft stores or garden centers at a low cost. Fill the pot or vase with a substance like Cocoform or modelling paste to secure the dowel and provide stability.

Tree Stump: For a rustic wedding theme, consider using a tree stump as the base for your candy tree. This option provides a natural and unique look. You can even personalize it by carving your initials and the wedding date into the wood.

Whiskey Barrel: If you want to add a touch of vintage charm, a whiskey barrel can be a creative base for your candy tree. You can place a wooden board on top of the barrel and decorate it with lace or other embellishments.

Suitcases and Crates: For a whimsical and eclectic look, consider using old suitcases or crates as the base for your candy tree. By using different-sized crates and suitcases, you can create a staggered display that adds visual interest to your wedding decor.

Remember to choose a base that fits the overall theme and style of your wedding. The base should also be sturdy enough to support the weight of the candy tree and any additional decorations you plan to add.

Selecting sweets for your tree

The type of sweets you choose for your candy tree will depend on a few factors. Firstly, consider the overall theme or colour scheme of your wedding. If you have a particular colour palette, you can select sweets that complement those colours. For example, if you're having a pastel-themed wedding, opt for sweets in soft shades of pink, yellow, green, and blue.

Another factor to consider is the season or time of year. For instance, if you're having a winter wedding, you might want to incorporate festive-themed sweets such as candy canes, gingerbread men, and chocolate coins. For a summer wedding, you could choose brighter, more vibrant sweets like lemon drops, strawberry laces, or colourful gumballs.

You can also personalise your candy tree by selecting sweets that hold a special meaning for you and your partner. Perhaps there's a particular type of candy that you both enjoy or that played a part in your relationship. Including this in your candy tree will make it even more unique and memorable.

When choosing sweets, also think about the size and shape of the candies. A variety of sizes and shapes will add interest and texture to your tree. For instance, you could combine larger lollipops or candy canes with smaller treats like chocolate-covered almonds or candy-coated chocolates.

Finally, don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different types of sweets. You can even mix and match different flavours and colours to create a truly unique and whimsical candy tree that your guests will adore.

• Lollipops
• Candy canes
• Chocolate-covered almonds/hazelnuts/raisins
• Candy-coated chocolates (e.g. M&Ms)
• Gummy bears/worms/rings
• Rock candy
• Chocolate coins
• Macarons
• Peppermints
• Toffee
• Fudge

Using a glue gun to stick sweets to the base

To make a candy tree for a wedding, you will need a small flower pot or vase, a wooden dowel, a small saw, a glue gun, a selection of sweets of your choice, and any other decorations you would like to add.

Start by selecting a small pot or vase that can be purchased at a craft store or garden centre. Cut your wooden dowel to approximately 10" long using the small saw. Wrap a ribbon of your choice around the dowel horizontally, securing both ends with a dab of glue from the glue gun to prevent it from unraveling. You can also use a thinner ribbon in a contrasting colour to wrap between the first ribbon, securing the ends with glue in the same manner.

To attach the sweets to the base, you will need to use the glue gun. First, create an indent of about 1.5 cm deep into the Styrofoam ball by pushing firmly in the middle. Make sure that the indent is central, or your tree will not stand straight. Then, use the glue gun to stick the decorated dowel into the indent, holding it firmly in place for a minute to secure it.

Take your chosen sweets and use the glue gun to attach them to the base. You may need to hold each sweet for a moment until it sticks without sliding off. Work in a circular motion, adding sweets in layers until you reach the bottom of the Styrofoam ball. Make sure to get right underneath and close to the dowel.

Finish off your candy tree with any desired embellishments, such as bows or ribbons. Enjoy creating your own unique and colourful candy trees for your wedding!

Decorating your tree with ribbons and bows

Choose your Ribbons:

Select ribbons that complement the colour scheme of your wedding. You can opt for a single colour or experiment with multiple colours and patterns. Consider using ribbons with varying widths and textures to create visual interest.

Cut the Ribbons:

Before you begin decorating, cut your ribbons into the desired lengths. You can create loops or leave them as strands, depending on the look you want to achieve. If you're using wired ribbon, you can bend and shape it to add extra flair to your design.

Attach the Ribbons:

Start by wrapping a ribbon horizontally around the dowel or tree trunk. Secure both ends of the ribbon with a small amount of glue to prevent it from unraveling. Repeat this process with additional ribbons, using contrasting colours or thinner ribbons to create a layered effect.

Create Bows:

Making bows out of ribbon is a beautiful way to embellish your candy tree. You can create simple loops or more intricate bow shapes, securing them with glue or wire. Place the bows at different heights on the tree to create a sense of depth and dimension.

Combine with Other Decorations:

Don't be afraid to mix and match! You can combine ribbons and bows with other decorations like garlands, ornaments, or even small lights. Just remember to leave enough space on your tree for your candy and sweet treats.

Finish with Embellishments:

To give your candy tree a truly unique touch, add some final embellishments like small flowers, pearls, or glitter. These extra details will make your tree stand out and impress your wedding guests.

Remember to have fun and be creative when decorating your candy tree with ribbons and bows. There are no hard and fast rules, so feel free to experiment and find the combination that best suits your wedding theme and style.

Adding a tree topper

Choose a topper that complements your tree:

Select a tree topper that complements the overall theme and colour scheme of your candy tree. For example, if you have a whimsical, multicoloured storybook tree, opt for a topper that is equally playful and colourful. You can go for a classic star or angel topper, or think outside the box with something like a large bow, a pair of love birds, or a unique sculpture.

Personalise your topper:

Consider adding a personal touch to your tree topper. You could include your initials, the wedding date, or even a meaningful quote. This will make your candy tree even more special and memorable. For instance, you could hang your initials from the branches of the topper or incorporate them into the design.

Use lights or glitter for a touch of sparkle:

To add some sparkle and magic to your candy tree, consider using lights or glitter in your tree topper. Opt for a lighted star or a glitter-covered snowflake topper. You could also use fairy lights to outline the shape of the topper, making it shine and sparkle.

Opt for a seasonal theme:

Tie your candy tree into the season by choosing a topper that reflects the time of year. For a spring wedding, you might choose a tree topper with pink and white blossoms or delicate birds. In summer, go for sunny yellows or light iridescent greens, perhaps with a beach theme. Autumn calls for rich reds, oranges, and golds, while winter is the perfect time for sparkling crystals, white pearls, or clear stones.

Incorporate special items:

If you have any special jewellery or sentimental items that you'd like to include, consider incorporating them into your tree topper. For example, you could send a beaded necklace or bracelet to your artist, who can then use the beads to create a truly unique and meaningful tree topper.

Seek inspiration online:

If you're feeling stuck for ideas, don't hesitate to seek inspiration online. Websites like Etsy and Amazon offer a wide range of tree topper options, from custom wire sculptures to candy-themed toppers. You can also find pre-made toppers that you can customise to match your colour scheme.

Frequently asked questions