Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Wedding Ceremony & Reception Wedding Reception Ideas Wedding Food, Drink & Menus 21 Cocktail Hour Food Ideas Your Guests Will Love By Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber has been writing, editing, and producing lifestyle and weddings content for over seven years. In that time, she has interviewed and worked with hundreds of leading experts to become an authority on all things homekeeping, flower arranging, home design, and wedding planning. Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 10, 2018 Close Clay Austin Photography Your cocktail hour is one of the first moments to introduce your guests to your wedding's cuisine. This is a pretty major first impression, especially if you two consider yourselves to be foodies. And if traditional offerings like pigs-in-a-blanket and veggie platters don't live up to your idea of impressive cocktail hour fare, you're likely on the hunt for creative snack ideas that look as fresh as they taste. That's where we come in. We rounded up the coolest cocktail hour bites from real weddings. Trust us—there's definitely a way to infuse this post-ceremony, pre-reception interlude with plenty of flavor. We're not, however, telling you to knock the classics. Kebabs, French fries, charcuterie boards, and more are staples for a reason—chances are, your guests will expect them. But there are ways to make these go-to dishes feel tailored to your particular event, most of which has to do with presentation. Throwing a modern fête where a rustic meat-and-cheese plate might feel off-beat? Serve up these savory snacks on trendy acrylic trays (not wooden cutting boards!) that feel infinitely more contemporary. If tacos are a must-have, consider a taco wall instead of a make-your-own station. (These types of food installations aren't just a way to serve delicious bites—they ultimately contribute to your big day décor.) Or go majorly-mini with one-bite tacos, served in lime wedges alongside margarita shots. Yum. We're all about the more inventive snack options out there, too. From gazpacho in a mug and full pizza pies with every topping under the sun, to crunchy maple-glazed bacon bourbon shots and a bread station (yep!), there are so many ways to make your cocktail hour a wedding highlight. Click through to discover which of these tasty appetizers would work best at your celebration. 01 of 20 Oysters Nancy Ray Photography Getting hitched by the sea? Pass around an oceanic delicacy, like oysters. Bonus points if you also lay out a cocktail sauce, vinegar, and citrus bar for toppings. Delicious Food Bars for Your Wedding 02 of 20 Fresh Bread Lisa Blume Photography Bread lovers, this one's for you. Present croissants, ciabatta rolls, sourdough, and nut breads in wooden crates for that authentic, fresh-from-the-bakery aesthetic. 03 of 20 Updated Charcuterie Board Whiskers & Willow Photography Not all meat, cheese, and fruit plates are served on rustic cutting boards. Make like Smoke and Brine Co. and give the traditional appetizer a modern update with clear and smoke-gray acrylic trays. Polish off the station with a just-as-contemporary escort display (this one was created by Luna Wild Design Co. and Chasing Linen), so guests can snack on mozzarella and prosciutto as they search for their table information. Unexpected Wedding Food Ideas Your Guests Will Love 04 of 20 Donuts Amy Pinder Don't let anyone convince you to save those artisanal donuts for dessert—especially if they're your favorite. For a fun presentation idea, try piling donuts into a dainty jewelry display case so guests can grab them quickly as they mingle. 23 Delicious Ways to Serve Donuts at Your Wedding 05 of 20 Taco Wall Roxanne McClure Photography The only thing that could ever make tacos taste better is pretty presentation. This flower-filled wall (Rooted & Wild Floral Design Co. provided the bright pink bougainvillea!), complete with stocked shelves and limes for squeezing, would bring an epic element to just about any cocktail hour. 06 of 20 Popcorn Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography Bags of kettle corn (both salted and caramel!) work just as well as a pre-ceremony snack as they do as cocktail hour cuisine. Edible Wedding Favors 07 of 20 Bacon and Bourbon Austin Gros Enhance your wedding bourbon's flavor with salty-sweet maple-glazed bacon. Extra crispy, of course. 08 of 20 Soups by the Mug Heather Waraksa If you're creating a cocktail hour menu around light, easy-to-eat foods, put this handy idea on your radar. Serve up your favorite soup (a warm tomato works in the fall, while a chilled gazpacho is best for summer fêtes!) in a mug, to eliminate the need for spoons. Guests will be able to sip, while keep their other hand free to hold your signature wedding cocktail (what else?). 09 of 20 Kebabs Kendra Elise Photography Think beyond the go-to chicken kebab and brainstorm a few fresher combinations. Charred peaches, basil, and mozzarella make for a solid trio, as do grilled grapefruit, mint, and avocado. How to Serve Carnival Food at Your Weddings 10 of 20 Pizza Bites Koman Photography This is your compromise if your fiancé wanted to pass around post-ceremony pizza bagels. 10 Delicious Wedding Ideas for Couples Crazy About Pizza 11 of 20 Full Pizza Pies onelove photography If bites aren't going to cut it, full-blown pizza pies—complete with all the fixings!—will surely satisfy. 12 of 20 Fries to Go Joel Serrato Pro tip: Squeeze ketchup into the base of paper cones before adding in piping-hot French fries. 7 Types of Foods to Never Serve at Your Reception 13 of 20 Cheese Rounds Mara Guenzi Photography Full rounds of cheese look sophisticated before you cut into them (pile them on top of each other and they could pass as a cake!)—but that won't stop you and your guests from indulging. 14 of 20 Little Hot Dogs KT Merry If the pig-in-a-blanket app isn't your style, but you stil want to serve up hot dogs, go for a classic presentation. Half-sized dogs, topped with ketchup and mustard, are your best bet, so grazers don't get too full before dinner. 15 of 20 Chicken and Waffles Erin Wilson Bring on the southern comfort with a fried chicken and waffle bites station. Cocktail Hour Ideas from Real Weddings 16 of 20 Salad Cones Jose Villa Make a light salad snack easy to nosh on by adding arugula, onion, tomatoes, and mozzarella balls to paper cones. A breadstick is the perfect finishing touch. 17 of 20 King Crab Legs Michael and Anna Costa Your waiters will have a hard time keeping their king crab leg trays full—they're a crowd-pleaser, every time. Do You Have to Have a Cocktail Hour at Your Wedding? 18 of 20 Grilled Veggies Rebecca Yale Photography Fire up the grill and roast plenty of in-season veggies ahead of your cocktail hour. Asparagus, zucchini, carrots, peppers, and eggplant are all solid ideas. 19 of 20 Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Rachel Solomon These grilled cheese wedges and tomato soup shots will take you all the way back to your childhood. 20 of 20 Shrimp Salsa CJK Visuals Pair healthy shrimp wraps with a spicy summer salsa (choose a recipe that's grilled corn and tomato forward!) for a low-calorie bite that's seriously flavorful. What to Know About Pre-Ceremony Cocktail Hours Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit