If you’ve already started planning for your big day, then you know – food can take up a majority of your wedding budget. Planning your dream wedding menu on a budget can feel overwhelming and like a mighty feat. You don’t want to be cheap, but you also don’t want to break the bank for an event that will just last one day. It’s challenging, but there are plenty of affordable appetizer ideas you can serve at a wedding reception to satisfy your guests.

Today, I’m sharing a round up of wedding appetizers on a budget.

10 Wedding Appetizers on a Budget

Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese

When you’re working with a tight budget, a tasty, yet classic staple you could add to the menu is a creamy tomato soup shooter with grilled cheese on top. Soups are a great menu add because of the cost efficiency per person. You can feed 100 people this appetizer for well under $100.

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are classic finger foods with simple ingredients that’s satisfying, tasty, and not boring for guests. You can keep things basic or add bacon bite toppings and still be able to feed $100 for under $100!

Cheese and Crackers

And while we’re on the trend of mentioning classic appetizer ideas, you can also add cheese crackers to your menu. Cheese crackers are super affordable for large crowds. Load up on a wide variety of crackers and cheese (even grapes) from Sam’s or Costco and pay less than $100 to feed 100 guests.

Ingredients

1 Serving of crackers, whole wheat, 110 calories per serving - 110 calories
1 oz Cheese, sliced, mozzarella, full fat/ regular - 80 calories

Instructions

Cut cheese into small slices.
Make mini sandwiches with crackers and slices of cheese.
No dairy? Use avocado or peanut butter. Gluten free? Use gluten-free crackers.

Bowtie Meatball Bites

Serve this either hot or cold and you’ve got yourself another great appetizer option for cocktail hour or a wedding reception. Ground meat and pasta are among the most economical options you can get when it comes to feeding a large crowd protein and grains. These bites are super filling, and because it’s a finger food, you can feed more people on an even tighter budget.

Ingredients

½ cup Pasta, cooked - 100 calories
½ cup Leafy greens, lettuce, raw - 2.5 calories
3 oz Mini meatballs, turkey - 180 calories

Instructions

Cook pasta (bowtie shapes preferably!) as instructed on package.
Microwave meatballs from frozen.
Spear with toothpicks as shown in picture.
Gluten free? Use gluten-free pasta. No meat? Use a vegetarian meatball type, available at most stores.
Cook for 25+ minutes. Insert fork or toothpick into egg muffins to see if it comes out clean (then you know it’s done).
No cheese? Use a dairy-free cheeses, or extra bacon.
Note: Silicone muffin tins work very well here (rather than the traditional metal or carbon steel ones).

Low Carb Tea Sandwiches

Got any vegetarians on your guest list? Offer up these bite sized tea sandwiches that are as affordable as it gets (and healthy too)! Once you slice them and load up on the cheese, you’re able to feed 100 guests for well under $100, even under $50!

Ingredients

1 Cucumber, medium - 42 calories
7½ Tbsp Cream cheese, whipped - 250 calories
2 Tbsp Dill - 0 calories
2 Tbsp Chives - 0 calories
1 Salt, dash - 0 calories

Instructions

Note: 7 1/2 Tbsp cream cheese = 1/2 cup
Cut herbs finely.
Slice cucumber.
In a bowl, combine cream cheese, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir until herbs are mixed in.
Spread mixture evenly on cucumber.

Easy Antipasto Skewers

For the meat and cheese lovers, offer up a bite of salami, cheese, and olives for the perfect combination to hold guests over until it’s reception time. The simple ingredients make this appetizer option great for feeding a lot with a little. Again, more appetizer ideas that could feed 100 for under $100. Plus, this recipe is also super easy to prepare.

Ingredients

2 oz Cheese, sliced, mozzarella, full fat/ regular - 140 calories
2 oz Salami - 208 calories
2 oz Black Olives, whole - 100 calories

Instructions

Cut block of mozzarella into small squares.
Pierce 1 square mozzarella + 1 circle slice of salami (folded) + 1 black olive with a toothpick (& continue).
Dairy free? Use a dairy free cheese – see Supplemental Materials. Vegetarian? Use a meat-free sausage chopped up into small slices.

3 Ingredient Banana Cookies

Ingredients

0.3 Tbsp Cacao powder - 6 calories
1 Banana - 105 calories
½ cup Oatmeal, dry oats (uncooked) - 150 calories
2 tsp Sugar - 32 calories

Instructions

Mash banana with a fork.
Combine all ingredients and mix evenly.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spoon mixture evenly onto tray and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Apple Prosciutto Bites

This recipe has a little bit of everything – notes of sweet, savory, salty, and bitter making it a winning combo so many of your guests will find it to be a hit! To put this one together at a low cost per person, you’ll need:

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

Slice apple.
Top apple slice with 1 piece arugula + 1 strip Parmesan.
Wrap 1 small strip prosciutto around stack and pierce with toothpick if desired. Continue.
Dairy free? Use a dairy free cheese, or more prosciutto. Vegetarian? Add more cheese instead of using prosciutto.

Mini Pancake and PB Skewers

For those earlier weddings (or even a late night snack), try these mini pancake and pb skewers. They are super economical to whip together large batches at home using just a few ingredients from the grocery store. This won’t work for those with peanut allergies, for those you can switch out for a different nut butter altogether (just be sure to distinguish which is which!) or just go without it to be safe. Totally up to you.

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.

Shrimp Kabobs

Shrimp is one of those ingredients that can be served cold, which makes it the perfect appetizer recipe for weddings or bridal showers. Shrimp kabobs are low cost finger foods that are easy to put together too. Just head to the grocery store and pick up the following items and enjoy!

Ingredients

1 Cucumber, medium - 42 calories
5 oz Shrimp, fresh or frozen - 140 calories
¼ cup Guacamole - 105 calories
¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories
⅛ tsp Red pepper flakes - 0 calories

Instructions

Spray a pan with an oil spray.
Cook shrimp on medium heat ~6 minutes, drain any excess liquid if necessary. Also de-tail shrimp if necessary.
Slice cucumber.
Top cucumber slices with guac and shrimp.
Stick the bamboo skewers through the appetizers.
Season.

How To Do A Wedding Reception On A Budget

Earlier weddings: Sometimes the time of day matters a lot when it comes to how much food to buy. For example, a wedding scheduled earlier in the day can get away with a brunch menu, which is cheaper or even a dessert only reception (see this wedding dessert table ideas on a budget). Whereas an evening wedding reception party could last past midnight, and will require dinner and midnight snacks for guests to keep them full and satisfied.
DIY food: When you want to save as much money as possible, you’ll have to cut out the middle man by preparing some foods yourself. Whether that’s the appetizers, the cake, or the main menu, doing it yourself will help you have more control over how your budget is used so that more of the budget can go towards the actual grocery bill versus having to also pay for the cost of catering and time a chef is taking to prep, cook, and deliver.
Buffet style vs. plated dinner: Plated dinners cost more per person. If your food is served buffet style, you will be able to feed more people with your budget.
Wedding cake: The wedding cake in and of itself traditionally is one of the most expensive items on the menu. To cut back on costs, you could opt for grocery store cakes accompanied by cupcakes – which can still be beautiful and elegant, just without all the wedding bells and whistles.

Got any tips of your own? Share below to help a bride to be -- what did we miss?