Key Takeaways
- Get creative with your wedding appetizers by serving mini pizzas and bacon-wrapped dates for a fun cocktail hour.
- Use unique presentations, like fried mac 'n' cheese on sticks or mussels on toast stands, to impress your guests.
- Incorporate cultural favorites, such as vegetarian summer rolls or Korean rice cakes, to add a personal touch to your menu.
If we could pre-poll your wedding guests, they'd probably say that cocktail hour is their favorite part of any couple's big day, so there's a good chance that they'll be paying attention to what happens at yours. There are likely several reasons why this is the case—the ceremonial, serious half of the day is done and the bar is officially open, for starters—but one of largest draws of this 60-minute interlude is undoubtedly the food. Choose the right (and most delicious!) wedding appetizers, and there's a good chance that your loved ones will leave your event saying it was one of the best they've ever been to. No pressure, right? There actually doesn't have to be. Ultimately, nailing your wedding appetizer menu doesn't have to be a challenge—and there are actually plenty of ways to help these items stand out, from elevating traditional crowd-pleasers through creative displays to selecting foods that highlight your cultures or love story.
Speaking of crowd-pleasers: Some of our favorite hors d’oeuvres ideas are simple and involve serving small, bite-size versions of your favorite foods, like sliders, corn dogs, or even pizza. More adventurous, less-familiar dishes are worth your time, too, especially if they communicate an underlying message (perhaps they're samples of what you ate on your first date!) or speak to one or both of your heritages. Cocktail hour is the perfect place for the latter, especially if these foods feel like too bold of a choice for the main course. Regardless of what you serve, you should spend some time thinking about how you'll serve it, since you'll also want to impress your attendees with surprising, unexpected presentations. Instead of serving mac ’n' cheese in ramekins, for example, you could deep-fry a bite-size portion and offer it on a lollipop stick.
Still not sure how to make your wedding appetizers stand out from the pack? Luckily, you've come to the correct place. Ahead, you'll find some of the best hors d’oeuvres and finger foods we’ve ever seen at real celebrations. From traditional bites to more adventurous eats, the following options will give you some serious wedding appetizer inspiration (and—fair warning—might make you a little hungry).
01 of 42
Spring Rolls With Sprouts
For their rooftop wedding in New York City, this couple hired a chef (who used to live and work in Hong Kong) from Pinch Food Design to put together a dairy-free Mediterranean menu with Asian twists. They also worked with their caterer to display every part of their menu creatively—including these crunchy spring rolls, topped with sprouts. They were served on a vertical board and transported by two members of the team's waitstaff. This presentation is a good reminder that your big-day fare, itself, doesn't have to be complicated; how you offer your wedding appetizers goes a long way.
03 of 42
Noodles To-Go
Photo by Scott Clark Photo
The best wedding appetizers have one thing in common: They're easy to eat while guests are standing, moving, and mingling. These noodles, prepared by Pinch Food Design and served during cocktail hour at a bodega-inspired celebration with food stations, got top notes for presentation, functionality, and flavor.
04 of 42
Vegetable Medley
Photo by Sophie Epton Photography
Believe us, a table full of crudité won't be full for long. When you present seasonal vegetables beautifully—as Pausmith Group did here at this celebration for two food bloggers—and pair them with different kinds of dips, cheeses, and meats, they'll be gone in a flash. We'd argue that these types of stations are some of the most popular at wedding cocktail hours. What's more, they offer fare that's a little lighter, which will help guests leave some room for the epic main course you have coming their way.
05 of 42
Mussels on Toast
Photo by Adonye Jaja
Here's more proof that how you serve your wedding appetizers can completely change the tenor of your cocktail hour. At this waterfront party in Massachusetts, the couple tapped Pinch Food Design to level up mussels on toast (a perennial favorite at coastal events!)—literally. The bites were served on tiered stands looped through a stick, which was paraded around the green so guests could grab and go.
06 of 42
Crispy Okra With Yogurt Dip
Photo by Mark Tuzman
If you serve the right foods (and in the right way!), your wedding appetizers can help tell your love story or even communicate some of your big-day priorities. At this couple's Lake Tahoe nuptials, for example, they took every opportunity to meld their Indian and Italian cultures—and this cocktail hour bite, fried okra with a yogurt crema dip served in wine glasses (provided by Sukhadia Caterers), did just that.
08 of 42
Snack Plate
Photo by Sasithon Photography
If you know your crew has limited food allergies or restrictions, you can take a "snack plate" approach to passed wedding appetizers. At this warm, woodsy celebration in Upstate New York, guests didn't have to hunt down or wait for a waiter to understand what was on offer from the kitchen at Wildflower Farms; instead, they were able to try a few small bites (including salmon caviar blinis, fried peppers, and arancini balls) all at once.
09 of 42
Prosciutto-Wrapped Breadsticks
Photo by Lisa Ziesing With Abby Jiu Photography
Grazing stations aren't the only way to do charcuterie at weddings, as these prusciutto-wrapped breadsticks—dreamed up by Pinch Food Design for a duo's New York City nuptials—prove. We loved how they were offered to guests like lollipops, which made a classic, go-bite feel more inventive.
10 of 42
Oysters on the Half Shell
Photo by Carlos Hernandez Photography
Tying the knot on or near the water? Oysters on the half shell—which this duo served at a country club celebration in Portland, Oregon—are practically requisite, if so. Out of all the options typically included in a raw bar, these shellfish are usually the favorite (next to shrimp cocktail, of course!). They're a worthwhile addition to your cocktail hour, especially if you set your guests up with all the fixings, from vinegars and horseradish to mignonette sauce.
12 of 42
Feta Watermelon Cubes
Photo by Sergio Sandoná
We could eat several of these watermelon and feta bites. Refreshing and crisp, they make the perfect snack for summer weddings. They're also a great option to feed your bridal party as you get ready.
Keep the season in mind as you plan your wedding appetizers. Go for lighter, refreshing options in the summer months and hearty and warm alternatives with thicker sauces in the winter.
13 of 42
Miniature Tacos
Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography
These tacos just might be the tiniest we've ever seen; they're so small, in fact, that they fit in a wedged-out lime. This is genius in so many ways: It looks adorable and inventive, and it soaks the tacos up with all the delicious lime flavor. Just make sure you have a lot of these at the ready—the tinier the taco, the more you'll need to satisfy your crowd.
14 of 42
Gougères and Salmon Bites
Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography
These cheesy bites are a staple of French cuisine. Choux dough is baked with cheese resulting in savory little pastry bites. They look extra yummy paired with salmon and crackers.
15 of 42
Beef Biscuit Sliders With Crispy Fried Onions
Photo by Mary Meck Weddings
Serve beef sliders open-face on a biscuit to show off all their savory goodness. Top each with a crispy onion for some extra flavor. The single garden bloom adds an elegant touch.
16 of 42
Pollo Asado Tacos
Photo by Biancca Wallace Photography
Blend street food with elegant cuisine and you get these tasty Pollo Asado tacos. Make them miniature-sized for the most delicious wedding appetizer. We love how the cilantro topping doubles as a pretty garnish.
17 of 42
Fried Mac 'n' Cheese Lollipops
Photo by Michelle Lindsay
Fried mac 'n' cheese lollipops? Everyone is going to love them—we can all but guarantee it. They're just as tasty as the traditional stuff, minus the mess.
18 of 42
Meatballs
Photo by Belathée Photography
One-bite snacks are always a win with cocktail party hors d’oeuvres. Serve these saucy bites on skewers so your guests can hold their drink in one hand and go for seconds with the other.
19 of 42
Fried Asparagus
Photo by Matt Mendelsohn Photography
Fill your family and friends up on hearty veggies with some large, fried asparagus. Kick the presentation up a notch by serving them standing up on flower frogs.
20 of 42
Stuffed Mushrooms
Photo by Hopkins Studios
Button mushrooms are the perfect savory, one-bite appetizer for cocktail hour. Here, they're served alongside caprese crostini, which looks just as yummy. Be careful with these—make sure to leave room for dinner!
21 of 42
Tiny Chicken Sandwiches
Courtesy of The Umstead Hotel & Spa
Nothing says comfort food like fried chicken on a biscuit—with a pickle on top. These tasty bites make the perfect addition to a backyard barbecue-themed wedding. Take them to the next level by serving them on tiny glass dishes.
22 of 42
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Photo by Carina Skrobecki Photography
You can't go wrong with a bacon-wrapped—well, anything. We'll try our best not to overindulge in these (a date is basically a sweeter version of a prune). These bites are the perfect balance of sweet and smoky.
23 of 42
Classic Sliders
Photo by Jessica Craig-Martin
Miniature burgers and sliders are quintessential finger food—and all-time favorite wedding appetizers. Dress them up by serving them open-faced, with bread on the bottom and all the fixings on top. Offer tiny cups of assorted sauces on the side for your guests.
24 of 42
Seared Scallops
Photo by Birds of a Feather Photography
Scallops are already finger-food sized and always a hit for some cocktail hour grazing. Use your serving details (in this case, painted imitation oyster shells) to add color to appetizers like these seared sea scallops.
25 of 42
Mozzarella and Tomato Bites
Photo by Rebecca Yale
Marinated mozzarella with candied tomatoes? Yes, please. We love how this fresh snack is light enough to indulge in several skewers.
26 of 42
Lobster Rolls
Photo by Chi-Chi Ari Photography
These bite-size lobster rolls are perfect for a New England wedding—or for North Easterners who want to bring a little taste of home to their far-flung reception. This summertime-fine menu item can also be swapped out for an alternate filling like chicken or a chickpea salad for those with an aversion to seafood.
27 of 42
Custard Tarts
Photo by Erich McVey
A sweet offering like this can be served as cocktail hour finger food or mini dessert bites. Or, our choice: both!
28 of 42
Korean Rice Cakes
Photo by Flora & Fauna
These assorted Korean rice cakes made the ideal tasty snack during a paebaek ceremony—and make an excellent complement to some green ginseng tea.
29 of 42
Snap Pea Sushi
Photo by Matt Mendelsohn Photography
This decadent concoction is impressive in presentation and flavor. The light and healthy snack is a choice that everyone can enjoy and is especially great for vegetarian or vegan guests.
30 of 42
Pulled Pork Sliders
Photo by O'Malley Photographers
A barbecue wedding would simply be incomplete without some tried and true pulled pork. Turn it into a finger food by sandwiching the meat between miniature-sized buns and serving with cups of barbecue sauce.
31 of 42
Vegetarian Summer Rolls With Sweet Thai and Chili Sauce
Photo by O'Malley Photographers
Summer rolls are a refreshing, nutritious choice that will keep guests happy (and comfortable) during a hot wedding cocktail hour. Prop up these tasty rolls with wooden pegs for a beautiful presentation.
32 of 42
Clams
Photo by Heather Waraksa
Oysters don't suit your fancy? Try your liking with its mollusk cousin and have a clam spread, instead. Or, offer a full raw bar with both and a side of lobster like this couple did at their nautical wedding in Montauk.
33 of 42
Apple Slices and Brie
Photo by Unique Lapin Photography
Fruit and cheese go hand in hand and look luxurious served in ceramic spoons. These thinly sliced apples with brie are the perfect mix of salty and sweet.
34 of 42
Quinoa Cups
Photo by Chris and Ruth Photography
Small cups of quinoa salad are an excellent choice for a wedding appetizer. The best part about quinoa is you can add in whatever you want for a bespoke salad. Here, the grain is topped off with a bite of shrimp.
35 of 42
Avocado Toast on Bruschetta
Photo by Courtney Dueppengiesser Photography
Avocado toast is always tasty, but when served on mini slices of toasted bruschetta? What a treat—and we think your guests will agree.
36 of 42
Hamachi Crudo Salad
Photo by Nirav Patel Photography
Hamachi crudo is deeply flavorful and is paired well with fresh ingredients. Here, it's mixed in single-serving salads with shaved daikon, radishes, cucumbers, jalapeños, and ponzu.
37 of 42
Chicken and Waffles
Photo by Taralynn Lawton
Skewer popcorn-sized fried chicken with a small waffle square for a delicious taste of comfort food. Use food coloring to dye the waffles for a decorative spin (and don't forget the syrup).
38 of 42
Cucumber and Salmon Slices
Photo by Angel Sheree Photography
Another excellent option for summer nuptials, fresh cucumber slices with raw salmon are easy to prepare and can be customized for any taste. They look absolutely delectable with avocado, seasoning, and dill.
39 of 42
Tropical Fruit Salad Bowls
Photo by Dierdre Alston
These mini coconut bowls are the sweetest tropical vessels for a colorful fruit salad. On a hot day, everyone will be thankful for the refreshing snack—and the hydration.
40 of 42
Mobile Raw Bar
Photo by VOLVORETA / SECOND SHOOTING BY FINCH PHOTOGRAPHY
We thought we'd seen it all, but this mobile raw bar really is fresh. Mix a few expert shuckers with garnish belts into the crowd for a cocktail snack that doubles as entertainment.
41 of 42
Mini Donuts
Photo by Anna Delores Photography
Those with a sweet tooth needn't look any further than these tiny donuts. The sprinkling of petals makes them picture-perfect for a nuptial fėte.
42 of 42
Caviar Bites
Champagne and caviar are the epitome of elegant festivities. Velvety crème fraîche and a generous dose of caviar are standard, but we're loving the crunchy chip base on these delectable bites.
