When you’re gearing up to host a gathering or throw a party, preparing a mouthwatering spread is essential to any celebration, especially wedding showers. If you’re hosting a bridal shower (or wedding shower), creating the menu can be just as important as any aspect of the party planning process.

Today, I’m dedicating this post to talk about what foods to prepare for a fun and memorable wedding shower no matter the time of year.

Wedding Shower Food

When planning your menu for a wedding shower, there are a few things you’ll want to consider: who’s invited (head count), the time of day, dietary preferences, and the venue.

It’s helpful to know if the event will be adult only (in case you need to have simple, kid friendly options), if the venue allows you to bring your own food or catering only, and the types of alternative food options to have available for those with various dietary preferences whether you need vegan or vegetarian, gluten free, nut free, or dairy free options to name a few either due to food allergy, Celiac, or other reasons.

Use this post as a help when menu planning to be sure to have some all inclusive options.

What Is A Wedding Shower

If you’re unfamiliar with a wedding shower, rather than a traditional bridal shower for the female guests only, it’s basically a co-ed pre-wedding party for both the bride and groom and their friends and family. It’s usually an opportunity for both sides of the family to meet and mingle as well as “shower” the engaged couple with gifts from their wedding registry, well wishes, play games, and bond over light hor d'oeuvres.

The food can impact the vibe, which is why we want to help set you up for success. If you’re needing wedding or bridal shower finger foods that are a crowd pleaser no matter the time of day, here are some wedding and bridal shower food ideas you should try.

10 Wedding Shower Food Ideas

Tortilla Chips with Guac

228 calories

Now what’s a gathering without chips and dip? No matter the crowd size, age of guests, or dietary restrictions, tortilla chips with guacamole make a top choice for all guests, making this one of the best crowd pleasers you can offer.

Most tortillas are naturally gluten free, but if that’s a dietary preference you’re wanting to be sure to accommodate, just double check the labels to be sure the brand you pick for the wedding shower doesn’t contain wheat.

Ingredients

1 oz Tortilla chips - 123 calories

¼ cup Guacamole - 105 calories

Instructions

Use a single-serving guac packet if you prefer.

Deviled Eggs

408 calories

Deviled eggs are popular finger foods to expect at a wedding shower, bridal shower, or even a baby shower event. This comfort food is simple to make and is sure to be a hit. Keep things simple with the flavorings or jazz it up a notch by adding a black olive on top.

Ingredients

3 Egg, large - 216 calories
1 Tbsp Mayonnaise - 97 calories
1 Salt, dash - 0 calories
1 tsp Paprika, dash - 0 calories
0.3 Tbsp Mustard, regular (brown, deli, etc.) - 4.5 calories
2 cups Carrots, baby - 90 calories

Instructions

Hard boil eggs.

Once cooked and cooled, slice eggs in half and scoop out yolks.
Combine egg yolks, mayo, and seasonings in a bowl.
Spoon mixture evenly back into egg whites. Top with paprika.
Serve carrots on the side.
Note: 0.3 Tbsp = 1 tsp.

Crostini with Sun Dried Tomatoes & Brie

395 calories

Your guests will be sure to enjoy these bite sized options at your wedding shower event. Crostinis are delicious comfort food and work as great finger food options, making it easy for guests to enjoy a bite while mingling with friends and family.

Ingredients

2 oz Baguette - 120 calories

2 Tbsp Tomatoes, sun-dried, oil packed - 34 calories

3 oz Cheese, Brie - 240 calories

¼ cup Leafy greens, spinach, raw - 2 calories

¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories

¼ tsp Pepper, ground - 0 calories

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Slice baguette into thin slices. Slice brie into thin slices.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper & spray it with an oil spray. Add baguette slices to the baking sheet.
Layer with brie, then spinach, then sun-dried tomatoes.
Bake for 5 minutes.
Top with salt & pepper.
No dairy? Use a dairy-free cheese, or top with guac & other toppings after baking. No gluten? Use gluten free bread.

Portobello Pizzas

204 calories

There’s something about pairing mushroom with tomatoes and cheese that make a winning combination that many guests will enjoy! This option also works great for those needing gluten-free and vegetarian options. Super easy to prepare. Just remember to make them bite sized so they’re easy finger foods for guests.

Ingredients

2 Mushrooms, portobello - 22 calories
1 Tomato, medium - 22 calories
2 oz Cheese, sliced, mozzarella, full fat/ regular - 160 calories
1 Basil, dash - 0 calories
1 Oregano, dash - 0 calories
1 Salt, dash - 0 calories
1 Pepper, dash - 0 calories

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
Line baking sheet with parchment paper, spray with oil spray
Cut off thick trunk of mushrooms
Place cheese and slices of tomatoes on mushrooms
Bake for 10-15 minutes, season with fresh herbs afterwards
No dairy? Use a dairy-free pesto, available at most stores

Mini Pancake and PB Snacks

526 calories

Now this is a great idea if hosting a bridal shower (or wedding shower) in the morning or early afternoon. Imagine these served with mimosas or brunch cocktails. De-lish!

Ingredients

1 Pancakes, ~100-calorie serving, frozen or homemade - 100 calories

4 Tbsp Peanut butter, unsweetened (Tbsp) - 376 calories

1 cup Strawberries, fresh - 50 calories

Instructions

I’m using mini pancakes from Whole Foods – you can find similar ones at many grocery stores. Just choose a calorie-equivalent amount.
Bake pancakes as directed on package.
Once pancakes are cooked, spread peanut butter & make small stacks. Add 1/2 a strawberry on each stack.
You’ll likely have extra strawberries, eat them on the side!
Gluten free? Use gluten free pancakes.

Salmon Cream Cheese Toasts

405 calories

Another brunch food option you might want to try are these salmon and cream cheese toast. Make these bite sized so they’re the perfect finger food to serve guests at your upcoming wedding or bridal shower party.

Ingredients

2 Bread, thin, whole wheat, slice - 140 calories

4 Tbsp Cream cheese, whipped (Tbsp) - 132 calories

4 oz Smoked salmon - 133 calories

Instructions

Toast bread
Top with cream cheese and smoked salmon
No dairy? Use sliced avocado

Shrimp Cocktail

156 calories

Serve shrimp cocktail as an easy, low effort bite sized option for guests at a wedding shower no matter the time of day (or year). Your friends and family will surely love it.

Ingredients

5 oz Shrimp, fresh or frozen - 140 calories

¼ cup Salsa - 16 calories

Instructions

If cooking shrimp from frozen, spray a pan with an oil spray and cook shrimp for ~8 minutes on medium heat, until cooked through. Drain away any excess liquid.
Dip shrimp in salsa.

Salami Pickle Bites

312 calories

If you’re needing more low effort bridal shower finger foods, then this one may just take the cake! Imagine these served on a nice platter or beautifully presented on a charcuterie board or grazing table.

Ingredients

12 oz Pickles, chip-cut - 0 calories

3 oz Salami - 312 calories

Instructions

Wrap salami around pickles and spear with toothpick to hold together.
Eat any extra salami or pickles on the side.

Bean Pepper Nachos

437 calories

Wanting something a bit more filling for guests? These bean pepper nachos bring comfort when you’re needing a mouth-watering bite. You can add ground meat if you want to make this dish a bit more hardier or serve as is and you’ve got another vegetarian-friendly option for guests.

Ingredients

4 Mini bell pepper - 40 calories

½ cup Beans & legumes, black beans, cooked - 114 calories

¼ cup Guacamole - 105 calories

⅓ cup Cheese, Mexican, shredded - 152 calories

¼ cup Salsa - 16 calories

1 Tbsp Cilantro - 0 calories

2 tsp Taco seasoning - 10 calories

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
Slice mini bell peppers in halves
Mix together beans and taco seasoning
Fill bell pepper halves with bean mixture
Top with cheese
Bake for 8 minutes
Top with guac (I buy pre-made), salsa, more seasoning if you wish, and chopped cilantro
No dairy? Use more guac at the end

Enchilada Casserole

345 calories

Many wedding showers take place in the evenings, which means you’ll need a nice entree option. Casseroles make the perfect comfort foods that are crowd pleasers for all of your friends and family.

Ingredients

1 cup Frozen spinach - 40 calories

4 oz Ground beef, 90% lean, raw - 185 calories

⅓ cup Cheese, shredded, mozzarella - 112 calories

1 tsp Hot sauce (tsp) - 0 calories

⅛ cup Salsa verde - 8 calories

¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories

¼ tsp Pepper, ground - 0 calories

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
This recipe works best when making 2-3 servings, so double or triple the ingredients if you’re making multiple servings at once. Grocery lists are always correct with total ingredient amounts.
Spray a pan with an oil spray. Stir fry beef and spinach until beef is no longer pink and spinach has heated through. Drain away any excess liquid.
Spray casserole dish with an oil spray.
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Add to the casserole dish.
Bake for 10-15 minutes, until cheese has melted.
No beef? Use chicken or tofu. No dairy? Use a dairy-free version. Other notes: If you have enchilada sauce, use that instead of regular hot sauce. If you don’t have salsa verde, use regular salsa.

Comfort Casserole

468 calories

Nothing says comfort food than a dish that has comfort in its name (and for good reason too!). This casserole option is one your friends and family are sure to love.

Ingredients

½ cup Tomatoes, canned, crushed - 25 calories

4 oz Ground beef, 90% lean, raw - 185 calories

¼ cup Ricotta cheese, part-skim - 108 calories

1 cup Cauliflower rice, raw (already riced) - 38 calories

⅓ cup Cheese, shredded, mozzarella - 112 calories

⅛ tsp Garlic salt - 0 calories

¼ tsp Basil, dried - 0 calories

¼ tsp Oregano - 0 calories

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
This recipe works best when making 2-3 servings at once. So double or triple the ingredients above, then divide into 2 or 3 equal sized portions when ready to eat.
Spray a pan with an oil spray. Stir fry cauliflower rice and ground beef on medium heat for about 8 minutes, until beef is cooked through and you see some browning in the cauli rice.
Spray casserole dish with an oil spray.
Combine all ingredients into the casserole dish, bake for 25 minutes.
No beef? Use ground turkey, tofu, or beans. No dairy? Use dairy free cheeses, or swap this meal out for another.
Note: If you find your casserole is excessively watery after cooking, you can continue baking. When serving, use a slotted spoon to drain away excess liquid.

Spinach & Artichoke Bake

410 calories

Ingredients

½ cup Spinach & artichoke dip - 160 calories

6 slice Artichokes, canned (pieces) - 60 calories

6 oz Chicken breast, boneless, skinless, raw - 190 calories

⅛ tsp Pepper, ground - 0 calories

1 tsp Garlic powder - 0 calories

Instructions

Dice chicken and mix together with garlic powder and pepper
Spray a pan with an oil spray and cook chicken on medium heat for 8 minutes, until chicken has cooked through
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
Spray an oven-safe pan or casserole dish with an oil spray
Add in spinach & artichoke dip (if using a frozen one, cook in the microwave first), chicken, and chopped artichoke pieces
Mix contents to combine
Bake for 15 minutes
Enjoy!
No dairy? Swap this meal out for another. No chicken? Use white beans (no need to cook first)