Appetizers are a great way to entertain your guests before the main event. With so many to choose from, here are some choices of great appetizers to serve at a wedding.
These are also known as hors d’oeuvre or starters. Appetizers are served during the cocktail hour which usually lasts for an hour or more. This is after the wedding ceremony while people arrive at the reception area. Appetizers are usually small bite-sized food that doesn’t require any cutlery and can be eaten with your fingers. A little something to entertain your guests while waiting for the main event. Guests usually socialize with others while digging into these and sipping some drinks.
You can either agree on having a station where food is presented onto a table, servers walking around the venue carrying trays of food and drinks, or a mix of both. Guests will be impressed with the many food choices and unique food presentations. Either way, you should have a variety of great appetizers to serve at a wedding.
Food
There is a variety of food to choose from. Here is a guide on the different great appetizers to serve at a wedding. You can mix it up by changing the presentation and the kind of meat or vegetables to use on a specific appetizer to make yours unique. This is in no particular order.
For Meat Lovers
- Mini Sliders
- Pigs-in-a-blanket
- Mini Meat Skewers
- Mini Tacos
- Bacon Wraps
- Chicken/Lamb Lollipops
- Meatballs
- Deviled Quail Eggs
- Mini Corn Dogs
For Seafood Lovers
- Tuna Tartare Cones (or you can use wonton cups or chips)
- Shrimp Cocktail Shooters
- Mini Lobster Rolls
- Crab Cake Bites
- Fish Taco Bites
- Scallop Skewers
For Cheese Lovers
- Fried Mac and Cheese Bites
- Cheese and Crackers Tray
- Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Shooters
- Mini Pizzas
- Cheese Sticks
- Crostini with Cheese Dips/Toppings
- Quiche Bites
For Vegetarians
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Baked Mini Potatoes
- Fresh Veggie Platter
- Family-Style Caprese Salad
- Grilled Veggie Skewers
- Spinach Balls with Dipping Sauce
- Fresh Fruit Station
- Sweet Potato Bites
Drinks
It is up to you on how many drinks you want to serve.
- Water (must be available at all times)
- Lemonade
- Iced Tea
- Fruit Juices
- Sodas
- Alcoholic Beverages (punch or cocktails)
Gluten-Free Appetizers
- Crispy potato bites with salmon
- BLT bites with chipotle mayo
- Ham roll-ups with goat cheese, mango, and herbs
- Sweet potato meatball bites
- Potato skins stuffed with taco filling
- Cucumber bites with spicy tuna
- Seasoned popcorn
- Bacon-wrapped baby potatoes
- Deviled eggs
- Onion rings
Tips To Reduce Cost
- Open call for contributions: Invite guests to sign up to contribute homemade or store-bought appetizers of their choice.
- Off-the-shelf appetizers: Buy low-cost store-bought appetizers for convenience.
- Food Stations instead of Passed Appetizers: Passed appetizers are more expensive because hiring servers would cost you extra.
- Stick to one drink: Keep things simple and offer just one type of drink before the start of the reception.
- Avoid serving too much food: Guests will feel too full to enjoy the main course. An excess could waste both food and money. Do a final headcount prior to the event.
Conclusion
Having an appetizer table at the reception is great to have. It keeps your guests satisfied up until the main course and a great presentation keeps them entertained. Choosing your starters for your wedding can be fun and exciting especially when you’re planning it as a couple.
Her Expertise Includes:
- Being a former bride
- Planning her own wedding
- Helping run her husband's wedding service USA DJ
As a former bride herself, she knows first hand what it takes to plan a successful wedding. She now offers her experience with wedding planning to other brides to be through smartestbrides.com.
Her mission is to help other brides wedding planning become as simple and stress-free as possible.
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