Make your own candy cart: a mobile system to deliver sweets at your wedding

In the first step, all you’ll need is an old wooden chest. Where could you find one? Maybe in your nana’s attic? No luck there? Then you’re sure to find one on an online classifieds site.

Sand the entire chest down so that you can apply a new coat of varnish later on.

Let’s get started with the wheelbarrow by removing the tray from the frame. With most wheelbarrows, all you’ll need to do is remove a few screws (image 1).

A more detailed illustration can be found in the diagram above (image 2).

You will need to offset any differences in the height of the frame to ensure the wooden chest will be level when you fasten it to the frame. Begin by measuring the height of the frame at the front and back (image 1). This step is important to ensure you choose the right thickness for the piece of wood you’ll be using to offset the difference in height.

Now saw small wooden boards that fit exactly on the frame. Choose the thickness of the boards you’ll be using based on the measurements you previously made (difference in height between the front and back of the frame).

Then screw the boards to the front and back part of the frame to form a ‘U’ (image 2). Choose the screw size based on the size of the holes found in the frame of the wheelbarrow. Ideally, you should pre-drill holes with the matching diameter using a Brad point drill bit.

Now use four screws to fasten the chest from the inside to the wooden support you installed on the wheelbarrow.

Is your chest old and falling apart? Then attach a decorative wooden slat to the lower end to add a bit of stability and spruce it up. To do this, measure the length and width of the chest, cut the wooden slats to size and fasten them to the chest using screws.

This step is optional.

You’ll need the precise inner dimensions of the chest for each of the steps to follow. Grab a pocket rule and make the measurements (image 1). In the diagram (image 2), you’ll see the height C (here: 320 mm), width (910 mm) and length (410 mm). Ideally, you should jot down the measurements on a piece of paper.

To keep the contents of your candy cart cool during those hot summer days, you’ll need a watertight inner box.

You can build one out of simple 15 mm plywood boards cut to the appropriate size. The diagram (image 1) shows how much shorter each of the boards needs to be in relation to the dimensions of the chest.

Calculate the dimensions you’ll need and have an employee at the DIY store cut them to size.

Arrange the boards on the workbench to form a box (image 2). Use a bit of wood glue to hold the pieces together.

Then screw the boards together to make the box (image 3).

In the final step, place the bubble wrap inside the inner box so that it covers the entire surface. Please note: Take care not to cut the bubble wrap while cleaning the inner box. If not, it will leak.

Use adhesive tape to fasten the bubble wrap in place.

You’ll want to offer a range of different sweets at your candy cart. To make this possible, we’ll give you instructions on how to build a tray containing multiple compartments for your chest.

You’ll again need 5 mm plywood boards cut to the size that will fit in your chest. In total, you will require five short side walls and dividers, two long side walls and one bottom panel. Refer to the diagram (image 1) for the dimensions.

Cut everything to the desired length (image 2) and then sand the cut edges (image 3).

You’ll also need four small wooden handles made from squared timbers, two that are roughly 200 mm in length and two that are 375 mm long. Cut them to size and sand off the edges.

Have you cut and sanded all the pieces?

Then place the bottom panel and two long side walls next to them on your workbench. Fix in place using adhesive tape (image 1). Use the short dividers as spacers.

Apply a bit of wood glue to the bottom edge of the long side walls and tilt them up so that they are standing upright on the bottom panel. Use more tape to fasten them in place (image 2).

Now glue the short side walls and dividers to the bottom panel (as seen in image 3) and to the long side walls. Let the glue dry fully.

Now use wood glue to attach the two small handles to the centre divider and G-clamps to hold this all in place (image 4).

Then apply glue to the two longer squared timbers and attach them to the two short outer sides (image 5). This will prevent the tray from falling all the way into the large inner box.

Well done! Once the glue has fully dried, all the parts for your candy cart are ready. Now you can put them together. In step one, slide the inner box with the bubble wrap installed in it into the large chest. Place the small upper tray on top of but not inside the box, so that it is resting on the edge of the box on the squared timbers (image 1). Practical: The tray is easy to put in and take out of the open wood chest (image 2).

If you want to add your special touch, you can paint it in any colour that inspires you. But remember to sand any surface you’ll be painting beforehand.

We hope you have a great wedding and enjoy the candy cart.