By Erin Frank

If you’ve spent any time on wedding blogs, you’ve likely come across photos of a candy bar. Candy bars—referring to containers of colorful sweets guests can munch on and/or bag up as wedding favors—are a great way to move beyond the traditional cake-only reception. Guests can self-serve, freeing your staff and family members up for more important things than passing out rounds of cake slices.

But rather than filling apothecary jars with plain-Jane M&Ms and jordan almonds in your wedding colors, explore candies that are out of the ordinary. Find retro candies online at places like Economy Candy and Dylan’s Candy Bar or, even better, head over to Fiona’s Sweet Shoppe near Union Square in San Francisco.

Shop owner Fiona moved to San Francisco in 2005 and immediately missed her favorite sweets from her native United Kingdom.  She set aside her work in medicine for a career in candy, and she now sources sweets from across the pond and brings them to you via her small Sutter Street sweetery.

Fiona’s Sweet Shoppe’s offerings are unique, with creations like mango licorice, boiled sweets, strawberry bootlaces, and more. Below you’ll see chocolate toffee robin’s eggs, mini Rolos, and brown sugar cube licorice.

To really seal the deal, pick up some authentic metal candy scoops (I’ve found them at Kamei), tie colorful ribbons to the handles, and provide glassine bags your guests can scoop and snack from.

Fiona’s Sweet Shoppe

214 Sutter Street, San Francisco CA 94108

415-399-9992

www.fionassweetshoppe.com