One of the best ways to add a candy buffet into your plans on a budget is to add a mini-buffet. Above is a photo of a set of mini's we did for a recent event.  Mini's can be part of another table such as place cards or just amother station amoung others.  If you go mini, just use the smaller size treat bags so that each person only takes about 1/4 lb.  You still have a great take away, or something folks can just pick at throughout the party.

Another way to do candy buffets on a budget is to stick to the less expensive types of candy, such as gummi's, sixlets, candy stix and kisses. Licorice twists like twizzlers are also very inexpensive. 

For Example:  If we take the beach themed table we have shown below, there are tropical blue jelly beans 10lbs, chocolate candy coated beach shells 5lbs, and salt water taffey 10lbs. that is 25lbs of candy or 1/4th of a lb per person for 100 guests.  The cost for the candy for this display is $163.00  or $1.63 per guest.

pricing for pink cake mini buffet-as pictured $3 per person

The pink mini buffet has a bottom layer of foil wrapped truffles. There are 160 truffles per box and they run $99. The next layer is strawberry cheesecake jelly beans 10lbs at $68 and the top is barber poles at .75 per ( there are approximately 25-30 on that layer).  This 'cake' will feed 65-75 people easily. Add the container and ribbons and this buffet comes in at $225 which is $3 per person. 

The 'cakes'  come in many colors and sizes (i.e. does not have to be for 100 people-we can do one for as few as 25-30, just multiply by $3 a person) and can be brought down somewhat in price by subing out the chocolate for say taffy.  They are wonderful with balloons floating over them in coordinating colors or you can add an edible centerpiece such as the one pictured. 
The topiary pictured is very large has expensive artificial flowers and an expensive base. As shown, it would run $175 with chocolate roses.  The same centerpiece done with ribbons instead of flowers would be much less, depending on size and what type of container.

All centerpieces are custom.