Food is an important part of any wedding celebration and guests will always remember if they ate well or badly.
That’s why it’s crucial to create a wedding menu that will cater to everyone’s tastes and food allergies, intolerances, or sensitivities.
The meal will capture most of the attention during planning phases, but appetizers, finger foods, and snacks available as the night continues can make quite the difference in a guest’s overall culinary experience.
Finger Foods as a Welcome
Finger foods served with a welcoming aperitif before guests are seated at the table can take the edge off waiting for the bride and groom’s arrival.
Most people are hungry when they arrive at a wedding lunch or dinner, and many will not eat beforehand because they assume there will be too much food at the wedding.
If the bride and groom are off shooting photos and arrive a bit late to the selected venue, guests will be mulling around.
This is the perfect time to serve a glass of wine or cocktail and accompany it with petite finger foods that quell the hunger without making guests feel full.
Favorite Welcoming Finger Foods
It’s easy to get creative when selecting the perfect welcoming finger food. Here are some of our favorites to prepare guests for the main meal.
1. Finger sandwiches
Easy to handle, these delightful treats should ideally be bite-sized. They can be mini grilled cheeses, salmon and mayonnaise or butter, tuna, a combination of ham and cheese, or anything else that counts as a favorite for your taste buds.
2. The Italian Bruschetta
Italians are known for their prowess in the kitchen. A favorite Italian “antipasto” is the bruschetta which is a traditionally toasted mini bread slice with freshly diced tomatoes and a bit of garlic.
But creativity here is not limited. You can create your version with olive pate, anchovies, cheese, or whatever inspires you.
3. Mini-Quiche
The advantage to selecting a bite-sized quiche is that it can be served cold or hot and you can be creative with your filling choice.
Vegetables for the vegans with an egg substitute, bacon, cheese, or even caramelized onions.
4. Mini Shrimp Cocktail Shooters
What to tantalize your guests while they wait for your arrival with a glass of prosecco in hand.
Opt for a shooter with a dab of cocktail sauce and a chilled shrimp or two.It doesn’t get much better. These stop the hunger pang but are light and not very filling.
5. Salmon and Cucumber Bites
Salmon is always impressive when included on the menu. These bites will not only impress but are light and refreshing.
A slice of cucumber, a dab of cream cheese, a drop of lemon and garlic, and a bit of smoked salmon. If you want something snazzy add in some green onion.
The Late-Night Wedding Snack
If you’re dancing the night away, somewhere near midnight, guests may feel a slight hunger pain.
To treat your guests, why not offer a thoughtful late-night wedding snack? Like hors d’oeuvres and finger foods, these snacks should be easy to handle and preferably bite-sized.
No necessity for plates or forks and knives, just a quick napkin, and guests can regain some energy while still on the move.
They should be served a couple of hours after the wedding dinner and wedding cake have been served.
You may also want to serve them after the bouquet and garter have been tossed when dancing and socializing are in full gear.
Favorite Late-Night Wedding Snacks
Whether savory or sweet, these late-night snacks will energize and delight guests well into the wee hours of the morning.
6. Pizza or Gourmet Breads
A small square of pizza or seasoned flatbread is a great snack, especially when accompanied by a miniature beer or a taste of wine.
Make sure your caterer cuts them into small enough pieces to not create a mess and facilitate handling.
7. Mini Ice Cream Cones
If you want some respite during dancing, there’s nothing like the cooling taste of ice cream but without the containers and spoons.
Full-sized cones can get messy, so why not opt for a bite-sized ice cream cone or two for energy and refreshment?
8. Mini Dessert Cups
Whether you fill them with pudding, parfait, or a fruit cobbler, these are a perfect option for guests who may be feeling pretty full but still want a taste of something light and sweet. Recyclable plastic mini cups and spoons are a must.
9. Skewers
Skewers offer lots of room for imagination and creativity. If you want savory skewers, fried chicken, bacon bites, or cheese bites will satisfy salty cravings.
If, on the other hand, you want something refreshing, fruit pieces like apples, peaches, pears, watermelon, and strawberries, or your favorite fruit can delight.
If you want the best of both, consider pineapple and ham skewers. Bacon-wrapped dates, or a watermelon, mint, and feta combo.
10. Crostini with Beef and Goat Cheese
If you want something elegant that people will remember, consider beef tenderloin on a bed of whipped goat cheese and pesto slathered on a toasted crostini. This snack comes with the wow effect.
11. Popcorn Bags or Cups
If you want to keep a wedding theme and give your guests a tasty snack, consider wedding popcorn!
Safe + Fair’s wedding cake drizzled popcorn option is vanilla flavored with blue sprinkles for the “something blue” every wedding needs. It’s also the perfect snack because it’s nut-free, egg-free, gluten-free, vegan, and tasty!
Wedding Snacks
Miniature wedding snacks allow you to satisfy even the most demanding of guests. You can cater to individual tastes and health needs and be creative at the same time.
There are options for every budget and what’s great is that these snacks can be served as a culinary welcome or as a late-night snack for the serious partiers among your guests.
