Finger Foods to Serve at Your Wedding Reception

finger food

A wedding finger food reception is best for receptions that fall between regular meal times, such as late morning or early afternoon events. They are also the perfect choice for shorter receptions. If you want very elaborate hors d'oeuvres, check your costings if budget is an issue as they can be more expensive than simple full service meals. Discreetly print "finger food reception to follow" or "hors d'oeuvres reception to follow" on your invitations so guests know what to expect.

By opting for small finger foods, a couple can serve a greater selection of culinary treats for their guests to sample, rather than selecting just two or three main dishes. This can be the best choice for larger receptions catering for many diverse tastes, as well as multicultural celebrations that can introduce new foods to everyone.

Many finger foods can be easily prepared, and couples may wish to save money by creating the reception food themselves. If you are having a smaller reception and are opting for simpler foods like platters of cheeses and sliced meats, prepare ten percent more food than the proposed head count which should take care of varied appetites and unexpected guests. If you have a larger number of guests or prefer more exotic dishes, a caterer may be your best option.

Choosing finger food to serve at your wedding reception does not mean that your guests will go hungry, but it requires a balance between easy-to-eat food that will not distract from friendly greetings, and dishes that taste delicious. Here we list some of the best easy finger food to serve at your wedding reception:

Sandwiches

Sandwiches are the staple of any finger food buffet, but they can be given a modern twist by using miniature tortilla wraps, half-bagels, filled croissants or cubes of focaccia bread with olives or sun dried tomatoes.

Tarts

Bite size tartlets or mini quiches are ideal wedding finger food, and caramelised red onion with goat’s cheese, or roasted peppers with mozzarella are popular choices.

Chinese nibbles

Any wedding menu should serve dishes that taste good together, and a finger food reception is no exception. Chinese nibbles add flavour to your buffet, and spring rolls, prawn wantons, and crispy duck pancakes will also work well with other styles of cuisine. Fortune cookies are another fun addition.

Indian bites

Indian bites will inject some spice into your wedding food. You can serve samosas, onion bhajis, or pieces of tandoori chicken, all with mint yoghurt dip or mango chutney.

Kebabs

Individual kebabs on decorative wooden skewers are easy to eat on the move. Try minted lamb, curried chicken, Thai prawns, or vegetables with halloumi to provide something for every taste.

Japanese style foods

japanese style foods

Japanese style finger foods include small sushi rolls, teriyaki chicken pieces, baked kabocha, and tempura.

Potato skins

Potato skins are perfect wedding finger foods and work well with either hot salsa and sour cream or melted cheese and crispy bacon.

Toasted bruschetta

Toasted bruschetta is easy to hold as well as being tasty, and they can be loaded with smoked salmon or cherry tomatoes, olives and garlic.

New York, New York

New York themed finger foods include miniature hamburgers and hot dogs with gourmet toppings and sauces.

Chinese spoons

Chinese spoons are a practical and fashionable way to serve something hot or messy as part of a finger buffet. They work especially well with a single meatball in tomato sauce or a piece of tortellini in a soup.

Bread and batter

Bread is essential for any food finger food buffet, but the type you choose depends on the style and theme of your buffet. You can choose crusty white or French bread, dark rye bread, ciabatta, naan bread, pitta bread or bread sticks.

Breadcrumbs or batter can be used to make meat easier to pick up, serve up chicken goujons, battered king prawns, and sweet and sour pork balls as all are tasty possibilities.

Vegetable dips

Vegetable dips can give a healthy dimension to your finger food buffet, and carrots, celery, cucumber, baby corn and spring onions can all be served with a blue cheese dip or a crunchy salsa.

Cupcakes

Cupcakes are an ever growing trend and a decorative cake stand filled with colourful cupcakes will make a great feature on any buffet table.

Miniature desserts

Miniature desserts are another sweet treat that can be eaten standing up. Bite sized cheesecakes, and chocolate brownies are ideal and you can always provide individual scoops or spoons for shot glass mousses or sundaes. Strawberry Bruschetta is a bite-sized food that brings together fruit, cheese, and tomatoes to create an incredible citrus savoury flavor that your guests are sure to remember. Individual desserts can also include biscuits, petit fours, cream puffs, or fruit tarts.