Appetizers at weddings are probably one of the most underrated menu items out there, but they’re oh so important! They’re the saving grace to keep guests feeling satisfied in between meals during cocktail hour and before the wedding reception. They have the power to make the wedding experience more fun and interesting for the guests, which is why choosing appetizers for a wedding reception is important, but it can also be overwhelming.

That’s why today, I’m sharing a round-up of appetizers for you to consider for your own wedding day.

15 Appetizers for Wedding

Here are a few wedding appetizer ideas that are great for wedding receptions.

Bean Pepper Nachos

Looking for something that’s hearty and filling for guests? The bean pepper nachos would be perfect! Have a portion that’s without cheese, and you’ve also got an appetizer option that’s allergy-friendly 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

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

2. Slice mini bell peppers in halves

3. Mix together beans and taco seasoning

4. Fill bell pepper halves with bean mixture

5. Top with cheese

6. Bake for 8 minutes

7. Top with guac (I buy pre-made), salsa, more seasoning if you wish, and chopped cilantro

8. No dairy? Use more guac at the end

Jalapeño Poppers

If you’re wanting to push the envelope a bit and offer something fresh and different, this finger food is great for wedding receptions, especially when it comes to Mexican appetizers for wedding receptions.

Ingredients

2 Tbsp Cream cheese, whipped (Tbsp) - 66 calories

¼ cup Cheese, shredded, cheddar - 114 calories¼ cup Cheese, shredded, mozzarella - 84 calories

2 Uncured bacon, slice - 88 calories

2 Jalapeno peppers (whole) - 10 calories

Instructions

1. This recipe works best when making 2-3 servings

2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. In a small bowl, stir/mash together the cream cheese and shredded cheeses (microwave the cream cheese for a few seconds first).

4. Fill the jalapeno halves with mixture and wrap each with ½ strip bacon. Place onto baking sheet.

5. Bake for 15-20 minutes

Loaded Guac

This one works as another Mexican appetizer idea, although it’s perfect for just about any wedding reception, no matter the theme! The combination of fresh ingredients make it guilt free. Just eliminate the cheese for some portions and offer a gluten-free chip alternative and again, you’ve got another option that works for most diets.

Ingredients

1 Avocado, small - 233 calories

⅓ cup Cheese, crumbled, feta - 133 calories

½ Tomato, medium - 11 calories

⅛ Onion, red - 6 calories

1 Tbsp Cilantro - 0 calories

1 oz Tortilla chips - 123 calories

½ Cucumber, medium - 21 calories

1 Lime (half) - 0 calories

⅛ tsp Garlic salt - 0 calories

¼ tsp Oregano - 0 calories

⅛ tsp Pepper, ground - 0 calories

Instructions

1. Dice avocado, onion, and tomato. Chop cilantro. Slice cucumber into strips.

2. Aside from chips and cucumbers, mix all ingredients together. Add in squeezed lime juice and spices and mix to combine. Don’t mix too forcefully unless you want a guacamole-type texture (which is still delicious!).

3. Use chips and cucumber slices to dip avocado dip.

4. No dairy? Use dairy-free feta, or crumbled (cooked) bacon.

BBQ Chicken Pizzas

There’s something about the warm bite of bbq sauce that makes this appetizer idea the ultimate comfort food to serve up for your guests. If you’re looking for bbq appetizers for wedding cocktail hour, you’ve got to try these! They’re de-lish!

Ingredients

4 Tbsp Barbeque sauce, unsweetened - 30 calories

½ cup Cheese, shredded, mozzarella - 168 calories

4 oz Rotisserie chicken - 200 calories

2 Tortilla, whole wheat or corn, small - 120 calories

⅛ Onion, red - 6 calories

1 Tbsp Parsley, fresh - 0 calories

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Dice onion.

3. Dice chicken, mix together with 1/2 your bbq sauce.

4. Spread the rest of your bbq sauce on the tortillas.

5. Top tortillas with chicken, cheese, and red onion.

6. Bake (or air fry) for 5-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you want your pizzas.

7. Top with fresh parsley.

8. No dairy? Use a dairy-free cheese or use a dairy-free pesto instead of the BBQ sauce and cheese (available at most stores). No chicken? Use tofu or beans. Gluten free? Use gluten free tortilla, e.g. corn.

9. Note: you don’t have to use rotisserie chicken – baked or grilled chicken breast will work just as well.

Deviled Eggs

You’ve got to have comfort food during cocktail hour, and you really can’t go wrong by offering deviled eggs as wedding appetizer ideas for guests. They’re filling and nutritious and make the perfect bite sized bites.

Ingredients

3 Egg, large - 216 calories

1 Tbsp Mayonnaise (Tbsp) - 97 calories

¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories

¼ tsp Paprika - 0 calories

0.3 Tbsp Mustard, regular (brown, deli, etc.) - 5 calories

2 cups Carrots, baby - 90 calories

Instructions

1. Hard boil eggs.

2. Once cooked and cooled, slice eggs in half and scoop out yolks.

3. Combine egg yolks, mayo, and seasonings in a bowl.

4. Spoon mixture evenly back into egg whites. Top with paprika.

5. Serve carrots on the side.

6. Note: 0.3 Tbsp = 1 tsp.

Bacon Wrapped Dates

I love these in general, but they also work if you’re looking for a Filipino inspired appetizer for your wedding.

Ingredients

2 Dates - 120 calories

¼ cup Ricotta cheese, part-skim - 108 calories

2 Uncured bacon, slice - 88 calories

Instructions

1. Slice dates in halves, and cut raw bacon strips in halves.

2. Add a small amount of ricotta to date halves.

3. Wrap with bacon and bake for 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees.

4. No dairy? Use a dairy-free ricotta. No ricotta? Use feta (regular). No bacon? Use turkey or soy bacon.

Spring Rolls with Chicken

These spring rolls are so beautiful, and also offer just the perfect bite sized bite that make them great as an appetizer option for your wedding day. The dipping sauce is what sets this entire dish off. You’ve got to try them for yourself! They’re also surprisingly easy to make (and so are these other diy wedding appetizers).

Ingredients

1 cup Carrots, shredded or julienned - 45 calories

¼ Avocado, small - 58 calories

2 cups Leafy greens, lettuce, raw - 10 calories

2 Tbsp Peanut sauce - 80 calories

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

1 Rice wrappers - 60 calories

1 Tbsp Mint, fresh - 0 calories

1 tsp Sesame seeds (tsp) - 13 calories

¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories

¼ tsp Pepper, ground - 0 calories

Instructions

1. Make side salad with 1 Tbsp peanut sauce, lettuce, and ½ cups carrots.

2. Spray a pan with an oil spray. Cut chicken into small pieces. Cook on stove top for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently until cooked through.

3. Spring roll filling: Cut avocado, mint, chicken into small pieces. Mix together with ½ cup carrots. Top with sesame seeds and spices.

4. Place rice wrapper (each separately) in water (I just filled a pan with water) for 10-15 seconds, then remove & place on a paper towel or kitchen towel to dry.

5. Add ½ of filling mixture to the center of each wrapper. Fold & roll like you would a burrito. Dip spring rolls into 1 Tbsp peanut sauce.

Crostini with Sun Dried Tomatoes & Brie

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

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

2. Slice baguette into thin slices. Slice brie into thin slices.

3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper & spray it with an oil spray. Add baguette slices to the baking sheet.

4. Layer with brie, then spinach, then sun-dried tomatoes.

5. Bake for 5 minutes.

6. Top with salt & pepper.

7. No dairy? Use a dairy-free cheese, or top with guac & other toppings after baking. No gluten? Use gluten free bread.

Apple Prosciutto Bites

Who doesn’t love fruit appetizers for weddings? You really can’t go wrong by having options that are fresh bites so guests can try them guilt free and still leaving room for their larger meal to come.

Ingredients

1 Apple, small - 77 calories

1 cup Leafy greens, arugula, raw - 5 calories

⅓ cup Cheese, Parmesan, shaved (cups) - 111 calories

2 oz Prosciutto - 120 calories

Instructions

1. Slice apple.

2. Top apple slice with 1 piece arugula + 1 strip Parmesan.

3. Wrap 1 small strip prosciutto around stack and pierce with toothpick if desired. Continue.

4. Dairy free? Use a dairy free cheese, or more prosciutto.

Pomegranate & Chocolate Chip Snack

I love this idea as an appetizer to serve during cocktail hour. The freshness coming from the fresh fruit combined with the sweetness you’ll get from the chocolate chip make this a surprising and joyful bite sized bite I think many of your guests will love to have on your wedding day.

Ingredients

½ cup Pomegranate seeds - 87 calories

1 Tbsp Chocolate chips, semisweet, Tbsp - 60 calories

Directions

1. Mix together, eat with a spoon.

Some other notable mentions to serve up on your wedding day are:

• Chicken and waffles

• Caprese skewers

• Prosciutto wrapped string cheese

• Fruit skewers

• Tea sandwiches

How To Set Up An Appetizer Table For A Wedding

Serving trays, towers, and platters

When it comes to setting up your appetizer table for a wedding, the biggest thing is all about presentation. You’ll want to have your food displayed at varying heights and spread across the table to encourage sampling. You can do this by using a wide variety of serving trays, towers, and food platters for your dishes.

Ice

For cold appetizers, you can use chilled serving platters and ice to keep your appetizers cold, like certain seafood or frozen treat options.

Food warmers

If you’re opting to present your appetizers buffet style, you can use food warmers to keep your hot appetizers hot.

Use fillers

You’ll want to use decor as fillers to fill in any negative space on the table, which will help the appetizer table look more full and abundant. Some filler ideas include kale, fresh flowers or fauna in between your serving platters and trays which will add texture and help make your table visually more appealing to the eye.

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