Purple Dessert Table

Dessert Table

I put together this dessert table for my mother’s birthday. I didn’t bake anything myself, but I still take full credit for putting it all together =)

Early on in the planning process, I had no idea if everything was going to fit on the table, or even how many jars/plates I needed to buy. So I did a quick mock-up of the dessert table using google sketchup, which turned out to be a pretty accurate reflection of the real thing.
Google SketchUp Mock Up

Here are the components and cost breakdown of the entire dessert table:

Apothecary Jars ($126.89):

3 from Sears: ($25.99)
1 from Michael’s ($8)
2 from Crate and Barrel

Crate & Barrel: Delfina Small Apothecary Jar $52.95

Crate & Barrel: Delfina Short Apothecary Jar $39.95

Plates/Platters ($198.75):
2 large rectangular
3 small rectangular

Crate & Barrel: Chelsea Ceramic Large Rectuangular $34.95

Crate & Barrel: White Pearl Server $42.95

Apothecary Candy ($101.83 plus shipping = $191.67):
5 lbs. Grape Licorice ($19.95) – only used 1.5 lbs
4 lbs. Grape Salt Water Taffy ($15.96) – only used 2 lbs
2 lbs. Mint Lentils ($11.98) – should have ordered 1 more lb.
3 lbs. Chocolate Almonds ($29.97) – only used 2 lbs.
1 lb. Gumballs ($3.99) – these went surprisingly fast
24 ct. Grape Rock Candy ($19.98) – the kids loooved these
All candy above was ordered from Oh Nuts! Their quality is seriously the best. Shipping is a bit expensive though!

Plated Sweets ($620.86):
12 Brownie Pops from Beau-Coup ($45+tax/ship = $66.91)
24 Macarons (Violet and Vanilla) from Paulette’s Beverly Hills ($37)
24 Petits Fours from Dragonfly Cakes ($48+ship = $71.95)
4 Giant Marshmallows from a local shop – Little Flower Candy Company ($6)
36 Mini Tile Cookies from Etsy seller SunshineBakes ($14+ship = $22)
1 lb. Apple Jelly Beans from whole foods ($7)
1 Top Tier Cake + 96 Cupcakes from Bluecupcake ($410)

Decorations ($294.72):
2 vases Profile Vases from Crate and Barrel ($65.90)
6 manzanita branches from Blooms and Branches ($93.28)
8lbs of white beaded filler Sav-on-Crafts ($37.15)
10 paper poms from Etsy seller PartyPoms ($40 + ship = $52)
3 plastic candy scoops from the Container Store ($12)
8 silver ball card holders from Beau-Coup ($16.80 + tax/ship = $24.39)
2 Packs of labels from Paper-Source: ($10)

Dessert Table

So total cost for the entire table: $1432.89
I wasn’t trying to go the cheapest route with this table.  I chose convenience (meaning I paid shipping costs and bought non-sale items that I would want to keep after the party) for most of the table.  If you want to do this for a lot cheaper, here are some tips:

• use existing plates and vases/jars (mix-match for a fun eclectic look)
• make a cupcake tower using homemade/or Costco cupcakes
• use candy/cookies you can buy at Target or grocery markets (much easier to do if you are going for a multi-colored look)
• break off branches from an existing tree for free (K’s suggestion)