These Late-Night Snacks Will Keep Your Wedding Going All Night Long

By Anne Momber
June 05, 2017
Clark Brewer

The best late night snacks for your wedding reception.

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Clark Brewer

When you're planning your wedding menu, you may be totally focused on the essentials. And that's great! Figuring out your main menu, cocktail options, and dessert display (plus anything you want to add for cocktail hour) is more than enough to keep you busy. But if you're also planning an all-night-long reception where your loved ones can show off their best dance moves into the wee hours of the morning, it might be a good idea to consider adding a little something extra to your edible options. Like late-night snacks. Sounds like an amazing idea, right?

These reception additions don't have to be elaborate—in fact, sometimes they're even better when they can also double as edible wedding favors—but they will add that extra bit of oomph to your event, and your guests' energy levels! Whether your idea of the perfect late-night snack includes a sugar rush or a plateful of your favorite savories, we promise that reception treats will be a hit with every person in attendance. Think cookies, donuts, or chocolate, or head toward more substantial snack food like French fries, a tempting cheese platter, or even sliders and milkshakes for a real hit of energy.

Looking for a few ideas to get you started? Click through this gallery for late-night snack inspiration galore. Popcorn not included.

Beer and Waffle Chips

This summer wedding had its snack scene on point. How refreshing would these mini-glasses of IPA and bites of waffle chips be when you need a break from the dance floor?

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Cooling Off

Gideon Photo
See More Mouthwatering Ways to Serve Ice Cream at Your Wedding

Worried your dance floor might get a little too hot? Follow it with the addition of your favorite popsicle flavors, like these one of a kind options from Si! Paletas.

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Get it Popping

Roey Yohai Photography

Is there a more iconic late-night snack than popcorn? The best thing about this wedding reception snack is how easy it is to customize with unique toppings and flavors. You could even create a build-your-own popcorn bar with sweet, salty, and savory add-ons.

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Late Night Loaves

Mademoiselle Fiona Wedding Photography

Guests at this charming fall wedding took home late-night snacks of pumpkin bread from a local baker, Bee's Bake Shop. The treats doubled as favors. Win, win!

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Custom Candies

Corbin Gurkin

Custom chocolates (like these from Phillip Ashley Chocolates) placed on every guest's pillow by the hotel staff during turndown service? Best late-night snack idea ever. It was certainly the perfect choice for this couple's destination wedding!

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Pretzel Pairing

Clark Brewer
See More Menu Ideas to Munch On

New favorite midnight snack alert: Soft pretzels paired with individual packets of mustard! We're pretty sure a late night snack like this won't survive the reception.

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Say Cheese

Heather Payne

If in doubt, always include cheese. A cheese platter, like this one from Boxcarr Handmade Cheese, packed with all your favorites is a satisfying way to refuel and recharge as the night goes on.

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S'more Snacks

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Is there anything better than a fresh s'more to round out your wedding reception? This couple pulled out all the stops with their individually packed s'more packs, plus a bonfire so guests could roast their own sweets.

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Snacks and Sips

KT Merry

Cozy up to this pick-me-up for some sweet (and spiced) snack inspiration. Warm glasses of mulled wine and ginger cookies are a great late-night snack pairing, especially for a fall or winter wedding!

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Chocolate Send Off

Roey Yohai Photography

These favors were paper-covered boxes of local chocolate from Thorncrest Farm & Milk House Chocolates. The flavors? Dark chocolate lavender and milk chocolate with bourbon praline. The perfect options for post-reception snacking!

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Classic Snacks

Tec Petaja

Would you like fries with your reception? We be your guests would. This couple's selections—a trio of fries that included sweet potato, waffle, and classic fry varieties—were set up alongside a array of dipping sauce for the ultimate late-night treat.

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Sweet Extension

Roey Yohai Photography

The bride at this wedding joked that guests would be fed whether they liked it or not—then proceeded to serve an extended dessert course at their after party that included fruit tartlets, tiramisu verrines, lemon shortbread, and more.

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Chocolate Dipped Oreos

Steve Steinhardt
Nontraditional Ideas for Your Wedding Desserts

The real secret to a reception that just won't stop? White chocolate dipped Oreos. These from Sweet and Saucy Shop might be too pretty to eat…but we'd try them anyway.

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Go Nuts

Corbin Gurkin

These favors, which included a shot glass and a pack of nuts, are the best reception pick me up for a couple who prefers their snacks with extra salt.

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Chocoholics Allowed

Corbin Gurkin

Not sure you want to devote a ton of time to thinking up creative late-night snack ideas? Skip the extra menu planning and set out boxes of your favorite assorted chocolates instead. Yum!

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Snack Buffet

Heather Waraksa

This couple's late-night fare was a whole buffet of tempting options. Their Asian "night market" table included treats like scallion pancakes, spring rolls, and sesame balls. The perfect combination of sweet and savory for fueling the dance floor!

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Bite-Sized Sweets

Lani Elias Fine Art Photography

One handheld treat that will always make a late-night snack bar look extra pretty? Macarons, like these tasty sweets from Jenna Rae Cakes. Pick your favorite flavors, incorporate your wedding color palette, and you're good to go.

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Savory Snack Spread

Jesse Leake

Not all late night snacks have to be loaded with sugar—or salt. You can also take a cue from this couple and include a feast-worthy display for your very own charcuterie buffet, complete with all the best cheese and fruit additions.

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Ice Cream Additions

Polly Alexandre Fine Photography
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Is there anything more tempting than a late-night scoop of your favorite ice cream? This couple added gelato (and sugar cones!) to their reception, and we think it makes for an amazing mid-dance-floor addition.

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Sugary Sweet

Katie Stoops Photography

Hoping to have your snack options and favors do double duty? These frosted cookies from Kendall's Cakes are a great option. Plus, they're customized to include some essential wedding day details and a thank-you note.

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Cider With Style

Mademoiselle Fiona Wedding Photography

Why not round out your dessert table with an equally sweet offering, like these apple cider donuts and individual mini pies from Lael Cakes? Bite-sized snacks are always a good idea!

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Chocolate Noshes

Belathée Photography

This couple has it all figured out. Chocolate is always a good idea for the end of the evening! Their snacks-turned-favors were inspired by a favorite local restaurant, and featured chocolate bars and white petit fours with a chocolate monogram from Lisa Dupar Catering.

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By Anne Momber