Once you’ve done a lot of legwork of narrowing down your wedding venue and destination, deciding on a color scheme and theme, and trying on wedding dresses, etc. , one of the most challenging parts about planning a wedding is deciding on wedding food. 

Regardless of whatever your favorite foods are to eat, deciding on a wedding menu can be super challenging due to the fact that the number of guests you’re feeding can have a substantial impact on your wedding budget. Not only that, but there are so many different food options that are, and often you’ll have to count for your guest, dietary restrictions such as food, allergies, for example. 

So today, I’m sharing with you the best food for weddings to make planning a wedding a little bit easier for you.

50 Best Foods for Wedding

Sliders 

There are so many options that you can do when it comes to serving up sliders on your big day. You can have cheeseburger sliders, ham and cheese sliders, barbecue chicken sliders, buffalo chicken sliders, pork belly sliders, all American club sliders, Cuban sliders, pesto mozzarella sliders, and many many more! What’s important is when it comes to these mini sandwiches is packing incredible , meaty flavor in between two bite sized soft buns.

Tacos

Now tacos are another popular comfort food to offer at wedding receptions. Your taste buds and guess will love the opportunity to buy into this trustee, comfort food. You can stick with a classic ground beef tacos, shrimp, taco, or switch it up and do chicken tacos or a bean taco for the vegan and vegetarian guests on your list.

Pizza

What I love about peace for wings is the fact that there are so many different ways you can go with that. You can have the savory and sweet options, popular picks like pepperoni and sausage or cheese pizza, or even do a dessert pizza— the sky's the limit. Your guess will love having this food on the menu because pizza generally leaves people with the feeling of fullness and is one of those dishes that’s generally liked by most. For those with diet restrictions, you can also offer gluten-free crust options and vegan cheese or have a build your own pizza buffet station for customizing the sauce and topping selections as well.

Roasted Chicken

Now you can’t go wrong with offering roasted chicken at your wedding reception. Some simple size you can offer to accompany your roasted chicken could be asparagus, potatoes, rice, broccoli, roasted vegetables to name a few. You may also offer dinner rolls and a side salad. Roasted chicken is a trusty option that will appeal to most of you guests — adults and kids alike.

BBQ

Barbecue is a must have to serve at summer weddings, but it’s also a great option if you’re looking for buffet style wedding food ideas. This food is a great option and will surely satisfy your guest. Think about pulled pork, brisket, or ribs. For side, you can serve up coleslaw, mashed or baked potatoes, macaroni, green beans, and dinner rolls.

Meatballs

Meatballs are another great option to serve your gifts for your wedding. It is super easy to make a large batch of meatballs for a large group of people. You can serve them with classic marinara meatballs, up for Capri style on skewers, serve them with a sweet and savory glaze on top, try Swedish meatballs, or if you’re having a winter wedding you might even try meatballs and a special cranberry sauce.

Pasta Station

If you want to be economical, pasta is the way to go when needing to serve food to a large group of people. Even if you’re not exactly on a budget, still great option for wedding reception because of the variety that you can do how this comfort food is generally a crowd pleaser. Pasta at your wedding can be served up family style, or through a pasta bar where your guest get to pick and choose and build a pasta of their own. 

If you are presenting a build your own pasta bar, key ingredient you want to include would be varying pasta type such as macaroni, linguine, or tonini. You also one of a variety of cheeses, a variety of sauces and pesto, and a variety of vegetable toppings, such as garlic, tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach.

Potato Bar

A potato bar is the old ultimate tasty dish that is feeling and exactly where guest love at weddings. When you are curating wet to include at your potato bar, think of building a loaded baked potato, and all that would be. So you would want different protein options with this chicken, ground beef, bacon. Vegetable options like avocado. Dairy sources, such as cheese varieties and sour cream.

You can display your baked potatoes pre-cut or with the skin off in a glass, and make it easy for your guest to add the toppings that they prefer.

Fried Chicken

I absolutely love fried chicken and the ability in any opportunity really to have it at special events. The worst thing you want is to eat a fancy meal that taste bland. Fried chicken chicken is just one of those dishes that is hard to mess up, which is why it’s such a good wedding food idea for receptions.

Air fried chicken with waffles if you are having a wedding that starts earlier in the day. It works good served family style or buffet style. Pair with a leafy green vegetable like green beans, and starch like macaroni or potatoes, and a dinner roll. If you’re in the South, can’t forget this meal with sweet tea.

Flatbread

Like pizza, flatbread is one of those types of foods that is fully customizable and able to appeal to guest with a variety of dietary restrictions. You can find gluten-free crust, and have dairy free and keto-friendly flatbread options for your guests.

Salad Bar

I really don’t have the same much about salad bar. Wives are great for weddings because they especially if you’re serving a lot of rich, heavy, dense foods. So it just offers a nice break away from heavier meals. It gives an opportunity to eat some vegetables and it’s just a classic option that many people look for in order to get some fresh, frozen vegetables on the pallet and balance out everything they’ve eaten so far.

Fish and chips

Ships is a great action for summer weddings, but it really can be offered anytime of the year. Just battered fish fried with french fries. A simple, yet effective wedding food idea your taste well love.

Plated dinner ideas for weddings

Surf and Turf

If you want to create a more refined and elevated experience for your guest, surf and turf is a sure fire way to go. Just think of a classic steak paired with your choice of shrimp, Scallops, lobster, or salmon. 

Lobster Rolls

Lobster rolls are usually chopped lobster marinated in a sauce in between a hoagie style bun. Pretty solid finger food option for gas to fill their stomachs and get a bite of seafood and flavor they are sure to love.

Sushi

If you were thinking about serving up sushi at your wedding reception, is one of those finger foods you want to have catering services for. The reason being is you wanna make sure that sushi stays at a cool and food safe temperature throughout your event. Not everyone would like eating raw fish, so having those options without the fresh fishes good idea. You can do different types of sushi like Maki, avocado roll, tuna, California roll, crispy tofu, and many many more.

Risotto

Risotto is a more elevated dish to serve to your guests. You can incorporate various proteins or strictly have a vegetarian option with no meat. It’s up to you. That’s what makes risotto  a great option to serve at your wedding day.

Brisket

Brisket is one of those food options you want to serve family style or a a plate dining experience or wedding reception. It’s so good and so loved you will not regret serving brisket at your wedding.

Salmon

There are so many different ways to go with salmon at a wedding reception. You can do it grilled and play with a few sides. You can have it accompanied with a suffer turf. You might even have it fried or chopped and stuffed into meatballs or various other pasta types. Many people love salmon so definitely consider this for your wedding reception.

Soup

For soups at a wedding you can do Italian wedding soup as a classic and obvious choice. You might also do the broccoli cheddar soup, some type of chowder, lobster bisque or tomato soup. Soup is especially great for winter weddings, but they’re also welcomed in other times of the year as well.

Bruschetta

Many people like and expect to have finger foods at weddings. Bruschetta is a great option. There’s so many different ways. You can go with it many people love it.

Casserole

Casserole is a she want to serve family salad at your wedding reception. It’s such a comfort food that is well received. With many different casseroles, you can serve lasagna, shepherds pie, hamburger casserole, breakfast casserole, chicken, and broccoli casserole, or so much more.

Chili

much like soup, chili is a great option for weddings, especially the winter ones and cooler months. When think about you, we think about the classic beef chili recipe. You’re such a easy meal to make for a large quantity of people serve with choice of sour cream, cheese and tortilla chips on the side as well.

Spaghetti

Spaghetti is one of those inexpensive wedding meal ideas you can serve up to your guests. This comfort food is sure to satisfy many taste buds.

Unconventional wedding food ideas 

Brunch and Mimosas

If you have an earlier wedding reception, brunch is definitely way to go. But you can’t serve brunch without also offering mimosas in the mix. When I think about brunch, I think about shrimp and grits, waffles, bagels, and egg bites like quiche.

Kabobs

If you’re utilizing catering services, definitely looking into kebabs. It’s just your choice of protein, such as chicken or beef with roasted vegetables all on a stick.

Macaroni Bar

Proportion macaroni into shooters or various size serving glasses displayed next to various topping options such as chives, fried onion, jalapeño, bacon, mushroom, chicken, or beef.

Spring rolls

Fresh spring rolls are another great idea to serve up at weddings. You can also do pork and vegetable spring rolls, crispy chicken spring rolls, or shrimp and avocado summer rolls.

Snackable foods for weddings

Chips and salsa

When all this fails, chips and salsa is a classic snack option to serve for gas to keep in full. You might also think of offering chips with guacamole or other types of dip. Chicken and salsa can’t explain beyond the traditional corn tortilla chips, it can also also include various types of crackers and bread as well.

Popcorn

I’ve seen so many different ways to go when it comes to serving popcorn at your wedding. You can go with a gourmet popcorn, various topping options to add to the popcorn, traditional butter, popcorn, or even caramel popcorn. If you have a fall wedding, you might consider pumpkin spiced popcorn as a snack option for your guests. 

Meat and Cheese Board

I feel like everyone knows pretty much me and cheeseboard is. Just serve a variety of cured meats, cheeses, along with crackers, dips, and jam.

Grazing Table

A step above a meat and cheese board or charcuterie board would be a grazing table. This is a dining experience, where you supercharge a charcuterie board across a full table spread where guest can pick and choose from a mass of food, such as meat and cheeses, fruits, vegetables, bread, side dishes, desserts, you name it is the limit. The point is just over the food and wide tables spread where guests are able to self serve.

Fries

French fries at your wedding for the perfect late night snack during your wedding reception. French fry bars are creative and unexpected color food. Your guest will love. Your fry bar can be displayed and easy to grab, and pre-portioned off containers. You might include various toppings that pair well with french fries such as chili cheese, ketchup, truffles, or just serve them plain. You really can’t go wrong with that!

Grilled Cheese Bar

grilled cheese paired with tomato soup makes the stellar comfort food option. That’s great for a late night bite during cocktail hour, the wedding reception, or after a full night of dancing. I’ve seen a grilled cheese bar. Also if you wanna be extra and take it up a night so that gas can choose from a white variety of cheese or you can also put your grilled cheese on toothpicks and serve them up as appetizers the soup in Lil shooters cups with bites size amount of grilled cheese on top.

Dessert ideas for wedding

Fondue

Find do such a visual and interactive appeal for your big day. You can do a fondue fountain with creamy cheese or for desserts, you can have a fondue fountain of your choice of chocolate chocolate. Fondue is great for dipping fruits, marshmallows, or pretzels.

Mini cheesecakes

Cheesecakes are so delectable, you can go with the classic New York cheesecake, a chocolate cheesecake, Oreo, cheesecake, caramel cheesecake, orange cheesecake, Japanese style, or even gluten-free.

Donuts

I don’t know. A while is such a magnificent thing if you’ve ever seen one. Such a pleasant surprise and delight to guess that they would love. You might even think of doing a donut as well. Dennis are so fun and a great addition to wedding menu for both adults and kids.

Mini Pies

So many different flavors of pies are available out there. You can go with a blueberry, caramelized apple, cherry, chocolate or pumpkin.

Candy bar

Sometimes people just like to nibble on something. Your candy bar could be various chocolate options or it might also be Kandi, taffy, gummy, and gum. Kandi buffet looks beautiful at weddings when they are unwrapped and monochromatic. You might also think to do a candy cocktail which is essentially a candy trail mix with various candy types.

Ice cream bar

Where do you wanna book an ice cream Chuck or have an ice cream bar, this is such a great idea for summer weddings but really any wed in general. Who doesn’t love ice cream? You can ice cream that’s prepackaged or pre-scooped with syrups and toppings that can be added.

Cookies

Cookies are a great customizable dessert option that you can serve up to gas as a thank you for coming by. Cookies work great for adding monogrammed details or other specialized themes for your big day. Pass them out as a wedding favor or have them available for display on another food station such as on the dessert table with the wedding cake. 

Finger food ideas for cocktail hour (Recipes)

Looking for the perfect finger foods to serve during cocktail hour? Check out this comprehensive list with recipes of appetizers for wedding receptions below.

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Ingredients

2 Dates - 120 calories

¼ cup Ricotta cheese, part-skim - 108 calories

2 Uncured bacon, slice - 88 calories

Directions

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.

Bean Pepper Nachos

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

Directions

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

Bowtie Meatball Bites

Ingredients

½ cup Pasta, cooked - 100 calories

½ cup Leafy greens, lettuce, raw - 3 calories

3 oz Meatballs, turkey - 180 calories

Directions

1. Cook pasta (bowtie shapes preferably!) as instructed on package.

2. Microwave meatballs from frozen.

3. Spear with toothpicks as shown in picture.

4. Gluten free? Use gluten-free pasta. No meat? Use a vegetarian meatball type, available at most stores.

Caprese 

Ingredients

2 cups Tomatoes, grape - 64 calories

3 oz Mozzarella balls, mini - 210 calories

2 Tbsp Red wine vinegar (Tbsp) - 6 calories

⅛ tsp Garlic salt - 0 calories

Directions

1. Stick 1 tomato & 1 mozz ball on each toothpick.

2. Drizzle red wine vinegar, and garlic salt over the bites.

3. You may have extra tomatoes leftover – that’s ok!

4. If you have fresh basil, add that to the toothpicks.

5. No tomatoes? Use another non-starchy veg like cucumbers or peppers. No dairy? Make an easy salad with tomatoes & 1 small avocado

Coconut Salmon Bites

Ingredients

4 oz Salmon fillet - 200 calories

1 Egg, large - 72 calories

2 Tbsp Coconut, shredded, unsweetened - 70 calories

0.6 Tbsp Almond flour/Almond meal - 24 calories

1 cup Carrots, baby - 45 calories

1 cup Celery stalks, chopped in half - 16 calories

2 Tbsp Dressing, creamy (e.g. ranch), light (less than 50 calories per 2 Tbsp) - 45 calories

¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

2. Line a baking sheet with tin foil or parchment paper & spray it with an oil spray.

3. Remove the skin from the salmon.

4. Cut salmon into bite sized pieces.

5. In a small bowl, whisk egg with a fork until smooth.

6. In a second larger bowl, combine coconut, almond flour, and salt.

7. Dip salmon pieces first in egg, then add pieces to the bowl with the flour and coconut. Mix with a spoon until pieces are all coated.

8. Add salmon pieces to the baking sheet. Also add salmon skin to the baking sheet to cook separately (it’s delicious and good for you!).

9. Bake for ~15 minutes, until salmon flakes easily.

10. Serve carrots and celery on the side with dressing.

11. Note: I like Bolthouse light creamy dressings. They’re available at most stores. No dairy? Use a light vinaigrette instead.

12. Note: There’s an olive feta salad in the picture, but it’s not in this recipe.

Cucumber Goat Cheese & Prosciutto

Ingredients

1 Cucumber, small - 32 calories

2 oz Cheese, goat - 206 calories

2 oz Prosciutto - 120 calories

½ cup Blueberries, fresh - 35 calories

½ cup Strawberries, fresh - 25 calories

Directions

1. Slice cucumbers into coin shapes.

2. Chop up strawberries into small pieces.

3. When ready to eat, top cucumber slices with cheese, prosciutto, and berries.

4. No prosciutto? Use additional cheese. No dairy? Use a dairy-free brand or additional prosciutto.

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

Directions

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.

Jalapeño Poppers

Ingredients

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

¼ cup Cheese, shredded, cheddar - 114 calories

¼ cup Cheese, shredded, mozzarella - 84 calories

2 Uncured bacon, slice - 88 calories

2 Jalapeno peppers (whole) - 10 calories

Directions

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

Salami Pickle Bites

Ingredients

12 oz Pickles, chip-cut - 0 calories

3 oz Salami - 312 calories

Directions

1. Wrap salami around pickles and spear with toothpick to hold together.

2. Eat any extra salami or pickles on the side.

Shrimp Cocktail

Ingredients

5 oz Shrimp, fresh or frozen - 140 calories

¼ cup Salsa - 16 calories

Directions

1. 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.

2. Dip shrimp in salsa.

Spring Rolls with Chicken

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

Directions

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.

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