Weddings are the highlight of many peoples lives. From the long, beautiful train of a wedding gown draping the ground to the music, the flowers, wedding party, friends, family, and the food. It’s a festivity you want to be sure to never forget. 

Yet who would’ve thought that crafting a wedding menu would be one of the biggest challenges of the wedding day? Choosing what to serve depends on a lot of different factors, some which are out of your control.

Today, I’m sharing a roundup of wedding party food ideas you can choose from to help take some of the guesswork out of putting together a spectacular and unforgettable wedding menu to match the wedding day of your dreams.

10+ Wedding Party Food Ideas

Heavy Charcuterie Board/ Grazing Table

Is it even a celebration if there isn’t a charcuterie board? Charcuterie boards and grazing tables have taken over special occasions (especially the wedding day) by storm.

If you are thinking of doing a non-catered wedding reception, make a special trip down the produce aisle and rack up on all of the cured meats, fine cheeses, fruits, vegetables, dips, jams, crackers, and even cheese bites you can find for your guest. Charcuterie boards (or grazing tables) add an elegant touch to any event and can be an affordable way to cater your wedding. With a little creativity, you can arrange the most beautiful table spread of finger food that looks like it costs 10x more than what you actually paid. 

Spring rolls with chicken

Speaking of finger food, every wedding needs finger food or bite size appetizer options. Guests will love the ability to eat while on the dance floor or mixing and mingling with other attendees.

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 - 190calories

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.

Fast Buffalo Chicken Dip with Veg

While we’re on the subject of appetizers, you’ve got to try this flavor-packed buffalo chicken dip. It’s perfect for spring and summer weddings, but has the same effect on your wedding day no matter the time of year.

Ingredients

¾ cup Cottage cheese, 2% - 135 calories

5 oz Rotisserie chicken - 250 calories

2 Tbsp Cheese, shredded, cheddar (Tbsp) - 60calories

¼ tsp Ranch Seasoning - 2 calories

1 tsp Hot sauce (tsp) - 0 calories

½ cup Celery stalks, chopped in half - 8 calories

½ Cucumber, medium - 21 calories

Directions

1. Optional: blend cottage cheese in a blender

2. Mix together cottage cheese, rotisserie chicken, ranch seasoning, and hot sauce

3. Top with cheddar cheese, microwave for 1-2 minutes

4. Dip with veggies, enjoy!

5. No chicken? Use white beans, or swap this meal out for another

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

Crostini with Sun Dried Tomatoes & Brie

Your guests will be sure to enjoy this bite size option for finger foods at your wedding party. 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

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.

2 Caprese Stacks

When in search of a winning flavor combo, there’s nothing like tomato, basil, and mozzarella cheese. If you’re serving up an appetizer for cocktail hour or even at one of the wedding food stations, you’ve got to have a bite size caprese as an option.

Ingredients

½ Tomato, medium - 11 calories

2 oz Cheese, sliced, mozzarella, full fat/ regular - 140 calories

1 cup Leafy greens, arugula, raw - 5 calories

¼ tsp Basil, dried - 0 calories

¼ tsp Oregano - 0 calories

¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories

¼ tsp Pepper, ground - 0 calories

Instructions

1. Slice tomato & layer slices on top of cheese as shown in the picture.

2. Top with arugula and seasonings.

3. No dairy? Use a dairy-free cheese, or top cheese with slices of avocado.

Chicken Cheesesteak Skillet

Keep things healthy and hearty with this cheesesteak skillet recipe your guests will love.

Ingredients

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

¼ Bell pepper, red, medium - 9 calories

¼ Bell pepper, green, medium - 7 calories

¼ cup Mushrooms, small, whole or sliced - 4 calories

¼ Onion, yellow, large - 14 calories

⅓ cup Cheese, shredded, mozzarella - 112 calories

2 tsp Avocado oil (tsp) - 82 calories

⅛ tsp Red pepper flakes - 0 calories

⅛ tsp Garlic salt - 0 calories

Instructions

1. Slice veggies and chicken into thin strips

2. Add oil to a pan

3. Stir fry veggies and chicken, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes on low-medium heat

4. Mix in seasonings, and top with cheese

5. Let cheese melt ~5 minutes

6. No cheese? Use more oil, or top with diced avocado at the end.

Chicken and waffles

Can you really host a brunch wedding reception without serving up chicken and waffles? This classic brunch menu item lends itself to offering guests with a meal that’s both savory and sweet whether they’re in the mood for breakfast foods or lunch.

Fried chicken

Not only does fried chicken work great accompanying chicken and waffles as previously discussed. Fried chicken is a popular comfort food many would love to see served at a wedding party buffet style or even in a plated dinner. It works great with either of these side dishes for a wedding reception in the afternoon or over dinner.

• Baked beans

• Mashed potatoes

• Baked potatoes

• Roasted potatoes

• Potato salad

• Macaroni salad

• Mac n cheese

• Rolls

• Cornbread

• Green beans

• Salad

Pecan Tuna Salad in a Pita

This tuna salad “wrap” is a fun recipe that uses a pita instead of a tortilla as a wrap. But feel free to swap pita for any other wrap you prefer. 

Ingredients

• 1 Tuna, canned (1 can) - 120 calories

• 1 Pita bread - 200 calories

• 2 Tbsp Pecans (Tbsp) - 94 calories

• ¼ cup Cheese, crumbled, feta - 99.75 calories

• ¼ cup Celery stalks, chopped in half - 4 calories

• 1 Apple, small - 77 calories

• 1 cup Leafy greens, spinach, raw - 7 calories

• 1 Tbsp Red wine vinegar (Tbsp) - 3 calories

• ¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories

• ¼ tsp Pepper - 0 calories

Instructions

1. Dice apple and celery.

2. In a bowl, mix tuna, feta, pecans, celery, spinach, salt & pepper, red wine vinegar (more to taste, if you like).

3. Slice pita in half.

4. Fill pita halves with tuna salad.

5. Have any remaining tuna salad on the side.

6. Note: Roasted & salted pecans are fine.

7. No dairy? Use more pecans. No nuts? Use more feta.

Dessert Station

Most people opt to stick with a bride and groom wedding cake as the primary dessert. However, the sky's the limit when it comes to wedding reception desserts. Choose as little or as many dessert ideas as your sweet tooth craves to suite your wedding theme. Some wedding dessert ideas include:

• Ice cream 

• Cinnabon cinnamon rolls

• Fruit tarts

• Cookies

• Brownie bites

• Macaroons

• Crepe cakes

• Cupcakes

• Donuts

• Pies

Pies are perfect for weddings in the beginning or thick of the holiday season. If your wedding is set to happen in autumn, see also these fall wedding ideas on a budget.and so much more!

How To Serve Food At A Wedding

• How to choose foods that go well together

The food that is selected creates an experience for your guests all of its own. Terrible or bland food leaves attendees feeling ready to leave earlier than expected in order to satisfy their taste buds and bellies. Comfort food on the other hand, helps guests feel more at home, comfortable, and is sure to help contribute to them enjoying being there through to the end. The same goes for making sure you have plant based options those with certain dietary restrictions or other special requirements.

To choose food that pair well together, pick opposing foods like salty and sweet, sweet and savory, and heavy/dense foods with something fresh and light.

Need additional help with how to plan a wedding reception menu? Get a load of these other great ideas.

• How to make food look appetizing 

Elevate your dining experience by making your food look amazing. This can be done with the serving trays they are presented on and also with special detailing placed on each food option. Like for example, using 3 tiered towers for stacking bite size appetizers or displaying your finger food or entrees buffet style on a platter.

• How to keep food warm or cold

It’s important to follow food safety guidelines, which means not leaving food out for over two hours, and if it is, being sure that warm food is kept warm and cold foods have been properly chilled.

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