When planning your wedding, food is one of the best ways you can insert some of your personality by choosing items that you love to share with your guests. From seated meals, to stations, to passed appetizers during cocktail hour, there are so many ways to get creative that we’ve lost count. Today we are offering up a few fun cocktail hour food ideas for your 30a wedding!
Choose items that reflect the location of your wedding. Here on 30a, there are so many comfort foods that reflect the southern culture and it will give those out of town guests a way to experience that type of food. “My favorite cocktail hour food is the burger slider. There is nothing cuter than a mini cheeseburger that you can pop into your mouth in one or two bites,” says Stephanie Tate, owner and planner of Savoir Faire Weddings. “Another favorite of mine is the fried green tomato topped with pimento cheese. You don’t get more southern than that.”
Mixing up food options to satisfy all guests is another great option. “I think having a variety of hot and colds appetizers are appealing to most guests. Try having some seafood, vegan options and kid friendly as well to accommodate everyone!” says Sherri Kuhn with Destin to Wed planning.
You can pass around appetizers, or have different stations set up with options. “Station area’s are nice too, especially for cocktail hour. Guests like to come and go from these stations, and they also help with more mingling during cocktail hour.” – Sherri says. “Items like sushi, charcuterie display and different dips with hummus, breads, and more.”
Why is your cocktail food choice important? “We just LOVE to showcase fun and interesting appetizers during cocktail hour. It gives us the opportunity to WOW your guest right from the start and and set the stage for whats to come,” says Donna Townsend, owner of Townsend Catering.
We asked the above planners and catering companies for some favorite menu items:
Sushi Martinis
Fried Oyster Spoons
Seared Tuna on Wonton Crisp with Watermelon and Black Bean Salsa
Baked Oysters with Citron Vodka & Parmesan Bread Crumbs
Pear Tomato and Mozzarella Pesto Baguette
Pulled BBQ Mini Corn Muffin
Scallop Ceviche Cucumber Wheels
Brie and Raspberries en Croute
Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders Bourbon Maple Sauce
Coconut Crushed Shrimp Orange Marmalade Sauce
Chicken and Cheese Mini Quesadillas Avocado Dip
Lobster Bisque Shooter
Shrimp and Grits Bite
Lastly, let’s talk presentation! Cocktail hour food can be a talking point, a way for guests to break the ice and meet each other. Think tomato soup in a shot glass with a grilled cheese sitting on top, or macaroni and cheese in a martini glass with toppings – comfort foods served in an unusual way!
There you go! Hopefully our fun Cocktail Hour food ideas for your 30a Wedding was helpful. We’d love to know your favorites too! Leave a comment below and tell us your favorite food from your wedding (or from being a wedding guest!)