We’ve been tasked with creating a candy buffet with a Beyond the GALAxy theme for Kids Cancer Care's yearly Dad and Daughter Gala. This has sent us down a very sparkly rabbit hole of mirror balls, metallics, stars, bright cosmic colours and, naturally, a candy buffet theme we’ve affectionately named Saturn’s Sweets.
Right now, we have a basic plan, a mockup and a growing list of candy. Will the final buffet look exactly like what we're showing you here? Probably not, and that's part of the fun.
Our Version of Outer Space
When we started thinking about Beyond the GALAxy, we quickly realized we didn't want to go too literal with spaceships and astronauts. Instead, we're leaning into a colourful, sparkly, slightly disco version of outer space. There will be enough decor at this event that we don't want to compete; we want to stand out!
Basically, if there were a really fabulous party happening on Saturn, this is where we'd want to be.
Our requested colour palette mixes bright pinks, purples and teal with black, silver and plenty of reflective finishes. The darker colours give us that outer-space feeling, while everything shiny, sparkly and colourful keeps it firmly in celebration territory.
And yes, we knew immediately that we wanted mirror balls as if that was ever in question.
From Theme to Mockup
Before we start pulling jars and filling them with candy, we create a theme mockup to help establish the overall direction for the buffet.
This isn't meant to be an exact rendering of the finished table. It's much more of a creative roadmap, giving us a chance to play with colour, texture, decor and some of the larger elements before we start physically putting everything together.
Now, What Candy Belongs on Saturn?
This might be our favourite part. Whenever we can, we use the candy itself as part of the overall design. For this buffet, we'll be looking for candies that bring those pinks, purples, blues and other cosmic colours into the jars, but colour isn't the only thing we're considering.
Shapes and textures can be just as fun. Something round might suddenly look like a tiny planet. A fizzy coating can add a little sparkle. A gummy that catches the light beautifully might earn itself a spot simply because it looks ridiculously good in the jar. And sometimes a candy has absolutely nothing to do with outer space but tastes so good that we're willing to invent a reason.
A Few Candies We're Considering
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Katjes Cosmic Visions
We definitely need to include a candy that is truly out of this world. Katjes Cosmic Visions are a premium candy that is also vegan. We like to incorporate a great mix of allergen-friendly options into our buffets so that anyone can approach and find something, and these are perfectly on-theme! -
Satellite Wafers
These are definitely polarizing candies, but we couldn't leave them behind on Earth. They look like little UFOs and are a blast from the past. Made of edible rice paper. They melt in your mouth, revealing either a tangy candy powder or a nonpareil filling. -
Squashies Sour Shooting Stars
These seem like a no-brainer! They add a playful shape and soft texture. Plus, they come in 3 different flavours, which really adds to the fun and discovery of space! -
Freeze-Dried Candy
This sort of candy brings colour, texture, flavour, and a little something unexpected to the buffet. We don't use freeze-dried candy very often, but this seems like a great time to bring it in, being a space theme and all.
Next Stop: Saturn
For now, we have the plan, the colour palette and possibly more mirror balls than any reasonable person needs. (The limit does not exist).
Check back soon to see the final result! Once Saturn's Sweets has officially landed, we'll share the finished candy buffet, all of the little details that made the cut, and, of course, what changed between this first idea and party day.
Until then, we're off to find more things that sparkle, naturally.
