Candy buffet on display at a party. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 24: Emerging as the new trendsetter in this wedding season, candy buffets are rising in stature and are in great demand among the young couples these days. They are basically a table set with numerous glass jars and bowls, filled with delicious candies, chocolates and lollipops.

A number of wedding planners in the city are offering candy buffets filled with sweet surprises and colourful treats. Manas Das of Bahaghara says that the demand for such buffets among the young couples is quite high. “Candies never go out of style and when presented properly they are extremely eye-catching and leaves a lasting impression on the guests. The trend is quite popular in the metro cities and is gradually catching up here as well,” said Das.

Depending on the wedding theme, or the couples’ taste buds and style, the buffet is more or less customised.

Ranjan Kumar from PKS Events who offers candy buffets and says that he puts in a lot of efforts to ensure that the buffet becomes a visual treat to the guests at the wedding. “The most important aspect of a candy bar is its décor. The choice of vessels is also of equal importance. We use them in various shapes and sizes to enhance the look. Moreover, a number of accessories like ribbons and colourful crystal balls are also added to add an extra zing,” said Kumar.

Planners select the candies from various villages of Odisha to add an ethnic flavour to the platter. “I and my team have visited a number of rural places to gather the various types of toffees and lollipops made by the local people,” said Das.

For 27-year-old IT professional Amrita Pattnaik, who is going to tie the knot on January 7, candy buffet is the best way to let the elderly members of her family reminisce their early days. “All my uncles and aunties will come to the wedding. Indulging them in candies will bring out their inner child,” said Amrita.

A few youngsters feel that the advantage of a candy buffet is that one can do it by oneself without depending on planners or caterers.

Durga Prasad Behera, a 32-year-old social worker, is setting up a candy bar at his wedding reception scheduled in January and said that he first came to know of such buffets while attending the wedding of her colleague in Bangalore.

“I liked the concept a lot and shared the idea with my partner and she readily agreed. She is a creative person so she is going to design the buffet and I will be more than happy to buy the candies,” said an elated Durga.