Most can understand me when I say that food and I are in a committed relationship, which is why I think selecting the cuisine for your wedding is such a big deal. I also think that it's important to think outside the box - there is no set menu for weddings, you want it to reflect you and your partner's style. Here are a few ideas I've come up with.
Mini Chicken and Waffles
Have you ever had chicken and waffles? HAVE YOU? They are LIFE CHANGING and my first experience with them was at a work luncheon where petite little chicken and waffles were passed around to make all of our dreams come true. They are perfect for a rustic wedding and are the most delightful bite-sized piece of joy.
Milk and Cookies
What could be more delicious than shot glasses of warm milk with a cookie hanging off the side of it? It’s a pint-sized version of classic dessert that will surely delight everyone.
Assorted Popcorn
This one is in honor of my mother. Growing up – she would take bags of popcorn to almost any event we went to. She dragged me to a very specific popcorn store in Chicago almost every year so she could get the right assortment of popcorn. Popcorn is such a perfect little snack that isn’t super filling and if you set up stations with different popcorn flavors, along with a little paper box – guests can easily tote their snack around to hold them over until dinner.
Build Your Own Mac & Cheese Bar
I will be doing this at my own wedding, because my boyfriend constantly credits his buffalo mac and cheese for making me fall in love with him. But seriously, mac and cheese is a warm, delicious treat that could be the perfect side dish at your fall or winter wedding. Set out some lobster bites, some buffalo sauce or some bacon and you’ve got a spread that will always be a hit.
Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwiches
Breakfast. For. Dinner. Can you think of anything more delicious than a mini bacon egg and cheese appetizer being handed out at a wedding? It’ll give your guests energy while making them feel right at home.
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Dip
This is another deliciously warm idea for a cooler wedding – simply serve small shooters of tomato soup with petite slices of grilled cheese and you’re in business.
A Chicken Tender Bar
This one came from my heart. If you don’t think chicken fingers are really important, then I don’t know if we’ll ever be on the same page. Think of tenders as a blank canvas. You can have an assortment of sauces, like buffalo or BBQ and have a variety of dipping sauces like HONEY MUSTARD, ranch or ketchup. (Here are my chicken tenders from last weekend - they were life changing.)
Cocktail Popsicles
Okay how delicious would these be at a hot summer wedding?! Of course they’d have to be served quickly, but it’s a fun and easy way to get a little buzz going for the wedding festivities.
Burger Bar
Burgers are also really important to me. I can’t think of anything better than having a burger bar – where I could pick my own bread, toppings, meat – or even things to put in the patty itself? Come. On.
Hibachi Grill
This one is inspired by my father, who bought an outdoor hibachi-style grill and refuses to cook on anything else. It’s easy to transport, so why not have something like that at a wedding? Some Hibachi restaurants cater – so it could be a totally fun and unexpected treat for dinner.
Crab Rangoon’s
Crab Rangoon’s are a treat I look forward to every time I go for Chinese food because they so unbelievably delicious. Plus - they're finger food, so they are a fantastic option for an hors d'oeuvre.
Cornbread and Biscuit Station
Okay so I come from a Southern family, and my Great-Great Aunt Sissy and my MawMaw make the most unbelievable cornbread and biscuits. There is nothing better to munch on when you’re hungry/drunk and looking for something warm and buttery. I like my corn bread with butter, some beans and onions while I like my biscuits with butter and jam. I know this is an unusual idea, but imagine it’s either right before dinner and you’re hungry – or it’s at the end of the night and you’re craving something warm. Biscuits or cornbread to me sound like the perfect addition to a rustic wedding.
Candy Bar
This one is inspired by my best friend, who loves candy more than she loves almost anything. She said to me once, “Cake is good but candy is better.” So, there could be nothing better for her than a candy bar at a wedding, with small bags for guests to pick their own combinations. It’s also a clever and cost effective dessert at a wedding.
Crepe Station
I personally experienced a crepe station at a recent Hubspot event. I also lived off of crepes while I traveled through Europe and I know how diverse they can be. It’s a fun new take on a wedding dessert or even a wedding appetizer, as there are plenty of amazing savory crepes.
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