Creating Sweet Trees For Weddings: A Step-By-Step Guide

Sweet trees are a unique and fun way to decorate a wedding venue. They can be used as centrepieces on tables or as an alternative to a wedding cake on a dessert table. The best part is that they can be personalised to match any theme and colour scheme, and they can be made with any sweet treat of your choice. They are also a great activity to do with children. Making sweet trees is simple and inexpensive, and they can be made well in advance of the wedding day.

Choosing a base

The base of your sweet tree will be the foundation of the whole creation, so it's important to choose something sturdy and aesthetically pleasing. Here are some tips and ideas for choosing the perfect base:

Firstly, consider the size of your sweet tree. If you're making a larger tree, opt for a wider base such as a small flower pot or a vase. These can be purchased at craft stores, garden centres, or even reused from old flower pots or vases you may have at home. If you're making a smaller tree, a small bucket or coloured pot can be a good option.

When choosing a base, it's important to consider the colour and style to match your wedding theme. For a rustic wedding, a simple terracotta pot can be a great choice, while for a more elegant affair, a glass vase or coloured pot can add a touch of sophistication. You can also decorate the base with ribbon, wrapping paper, or tissue paper to match your colour scheme.

If you want to ensure your sweet tree is secure, consider using plaster of Paris or concrete to hold the stick or dowel in place. Fill the pot halfway with the plaster or concrete and place the stick in the centre, leaving it to set for a couple of days. This will create a sturdy base for your sweet tree.

Another option for the base is to use an oasis ball, which can be found at garden centres, florists, or craft shops. The oasis ball will fit snugly into the pot and provide a stable base for your sweet tree. You can decorate the oasis ball with tissue paper, ribbon, or even chocolate if you're feeling adventurous!

Remember, the base is an important part of the overall presentation of your sweet tree, so take the time to choose something that complements your creation. With a well-chosen base, your sweet tree will be sure to wow your wedding guests!

Preparing the dowel

Firstly, you will need to cut the dowel to the appropriate length. For a standard sweet tree, a length of around 20cm is suitable, though some sources suggest cutting it to 10 inches (approximately 25cm). This can be done with a small saw, ensuring a straight and clean cut.

Next, you will want to decorate the dowel. Take a ribbon in the colour of your choice and wrap it horizontally around the dowel, securing both ends with a small amount of glue to prevent it from unravelling. You can add additional ribbons in contrasting colours or patterns to create a unique design. Make sure to let the glue dry completely before handling the dowel further.

Now it's time to attach the dowel to the Styrofoam ball. Using a glue gun or melted chocolate, apply a generous amount of adhesive to the end of the dowel. Then, firmly push the decorated end into the centre of the Styrofoam ball, creating an indent of about 1.5-2 cm deep. Hold it in place for a minute to secure, ensuring that the dowel is straight and central, as any crookedness will cause the tree to be lopsided.

At this stage, you can add an additional layer of security by creating a base for the dowel. Using a small pot, fill it halfway with a substance such as cocoform, plaster of Paris, or concrete. Then, firmly push the dowel, with the Styrofoam ball attached, into the centre of the pot, leaving it to set overnight. You can decorate the pot with wrapping paper, tissue paper, or ribbon to match your theme.

With these steps completed, your dowel should be securely in place, providing a stable base for the rest of your sweet tree creation.

Decorating the ball

Now for the fun part: decorating the ball!

First, you'll want to wrap your Styrofoam ball with tin foil or tissue paper. Secure it with a small amount of glue if necessary. You can also use edible materials to cover the ball, such as melted chocolate or candy melts. Just be sure to let it dry overnight.

Next, it's time to add the sweets! Using cocktail sticks, secure the sweets to the ball. If you're using wrapped sweets, be careful with the cocktail sticks as they are sharp. Alternatively, you can use edible sugar glue or craft glue. If you're using lollipops, simply poke them directly into the ball. Work your way down from the top, keeping the sweets close together to avoid gaps.

If you want to make your tree extra special, try making tissue paper flowers or bows to place between the sweets. You can also create petals with tissue paper and put a sweet in the centre to look like a flower. Use different types of sweets to make it more decorative, or make flower shapes using coloured sugar-coated chocolates.

Once you're happy with your decorated ball, poke it into the stick, making sure it's secure.

Adding sweets

When it comes to the number of sweets, make sure you have plenty, as you may need more than you think. As a general rule, aim for about 80 sweets per tree, depending on their size. If you are using mini packets of sweets, such as Love Hearts or Liquorice Allsorts, you can use cocktail sticks to secure them to the tree. Alternatively, you can use edible sugar glue or craft glue if the sweets are in wrappers.

If you are using lollipops, simply poke them directly into the Styrofoam ball. You can also use chocolate to secure your sweets. Melt some chocolate in a pan and coat your Styrofoam ball with it using a pastry brush. Leave it overnight to dry, and then start adding your sweets. Place a dot of chocolate on the top centre of the ball and add your first sweet. Press gently until it sticks without sliding off. Continue adding sweets in a circular motion in layers until you reach the bottom of the ball. Make sure to get right underneath and down to the dowel so that there are no gaps.

If you want to make your tree extra special, try making petals with tissue paper and putting the sweets in the centre to look like flowers. You can also use different types of sweets to make decorative patterns or flower shapes using coloured sugar-coated chocolates. Get creative and have fun with it!

Finishing touches

Now for the fun part: decorating your sweet tree! This is your chance to get creative and add your own unique flair to your wedding centrepiece. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Ribbons and Bows

Add a touch of elegance to your sweet tree by wrapping ribbons around the dowel and securing them with a dab of glue. You can use contrasting colours or patterns to make it more interesting. Finish it off with a bow at the top or bottom of the dowel.

Flowers

Bring some freshness to your sweet tree by adding paper or tissue paper flowers. You can make these yourself by cutting out petal shapes from coloured paper or tissue paper and assembling them together. Attach them to the Styrofoam ball using cocktail sticks or glue.

Embellishments

Spruce up your sweet tree with various embellishments like pearls, rhinestones, or even small toys. You can glue these onto the Styrofoam ball or hang them from the ribbons. Get creative and use items that reflect your wedding theme or your personal interests.

Themed Decorations

If your wedding has a theme, incorporate it into your sweet tree! For example, if you're having a beach wedding, you could add small seashells or starfish decorations to your tree. Or, if you're having a winter wedding, you could add snowflake ornaments or sprinkle artificial snow on the branches.

Personalised Touches

Make your sweet tree extra special by adding personalised touches like your initials or your wedding date. You can cut out letters from cardboard or foam and glue them onto the tree, or hang them from the ribbons. Your guests will surely appreciate this unique and thoughtful detail.

Remember, the finishing touches are all about making your sweet tree your own. Don't be afraid to experiment and mix and match different ideas. Have fun with the process, and your sweet tree is sure to be a show-stopper at your wedding!

Frequently asked questions