23 Delicious Food Bars for Your Wedding

When it comes to building the best wedding menu, guests appreciate choices. That being said, you don't have to settle on the basic trifecta of chicken, fish, or steak. There are tons of options beyond the standard sit-down meal, and we don't mean the typical buffet! One of our favorite customizable ideas is a self-serve wedding food station. Whether you go with a classic, like an elegant raw bar, or want something casual and unexpected, like a brunch waffle bar, there are possibilities aplenty.

Year after year, the wedding food bars we come across get more and more unique. We've seen everything from snack selections to full-blown feasts served in interactive ways. No matter what you're looking for—be it appetizers for your cocktail hour, hearty dishes for your reception, or sweet treats for dessert—you can turn to the following examples for inspiration. We've rounded up some of the tastiest and most fun displays we've seen to help you brainstorm your own event's station(s).

The fare presented ahead comes in many different styles. For traditional couples, we've included some common options, like the ever-popular charcuterie table. For couples who want their meal to double as a source of entertainment, we've spotlighted made-to-order and build-your-own ideas, too (mac and cheese bar, anyone?). This mix also features food that nods to various cultures, plus dishes that adhere to other themes. You shouldn't just think about what you're serving, either—put some thought into how you'll serve it. In turn, you'll find genius setup inspiration here, as well.   

Ashley Nicole Events worked with this couple to create a "market table" filled with delicious veggies. We love the display idea for a crudité bar, complete with an array of dips.

For a brunch celebration, try a build-your-own waffle bar, where guests can top their breakfast treat with whatever they want. The Waffle Experience catered this one.

For Kacey Musgraves and Ruston Kelly's wedding, Popcorn Papa provided the snack with a variety of seasonings.

For this event, Trumpet Vine Catering offered different renditions of the Hawaiian dish, which were set out on a Lovelyfest Event Design display.

Classic BBQ fare is sure to please at a casual wedding. This Biltmore buffet included watermelon wedges, coleslaw, loaded baked potato salad, macaroni salad, molasses baked beans, hot dogs and burgers, grilled chicken, and slow-cooked BBQ pork shoulder.

Let guests snack on an upgraded version of the childhood favorite. Componere Fine Catering's extensive topping options elevated the dish at this celebration.

Actress Frankie Shaw had Harvey's Gourmet Mini Donuts made on the spot for her wedding to Zach Strauss. Attendees could choose from multiple flavors (cinnamon and sugar, powdered sugar, sugar glaze, chocolate glaze, and maple glaze) and add chocolate or rainbow sprinkles.

L.A. Roots Catering Co. arranged this mouthwatering charcuterie table for guests to graze on.

It's hard not to get excited about made-to-order pizza pies. Bola Pizza prepared fresh ones as guests at this wedding looked on.

This inventive brunch spread—coordinated and designed by Wink! and Pluck—prompted guests to build their own cereal bowls. Different types of cereal, milk, and toppings were provided.

Salsarita's set up this taco bar, which featured three different kinds of—you guessed it—salsa.

If you're all about sushi, consider serving the bites rolled-to-order style. That's what Componere Fine Catering did here.

Have you ever considering firing up the grill for a summertime affair? Command Performance Catering did so for this celebration, then set out a station with all the staples.

Smoke & Pickles hosted an oyster roast for this seaside soirée

An omelet station—like this one by Trumpet Vine Catering—is another foolproof brunch option.

When actor Steven Yeun married Joana Pak, they had an Urban Palate dduk, or rice cake, station.

Lett guests flavor their food to their liking with a smattering of different sauces, seasonings, and more. Tastes of Tampa Bay provided this display.

This station by FCI Catering & Events combined high-end cuisine with fast food classics, like mini lobster corn dogs served with Maine lobster and hominy ceviche. We recommend the option for a kid-friendly event or late-night crowd.

This Heirloom LA's crostini station mixed an array of crostini, including a number of different breads and toppings.

This fresh California-style food bar by Pure Joy Catering included a chef who prepared ceviche. The wedding's catch of the day was served along with local avocado, cilantro, onions, lemon juice, and corn chips.

This food bar by FCI Catering included crab and artichoke fondue, spinach and artichoke fondue, and brie and artichoke fondue with a selection of breads, crostini, crudité sticks, micro-vegetables, and crab claws. Yum!

Here, guests could create custom-order pasta dishes with a chef-manned pasta bar by Pure Joy Catering with imported pastas, fresh made sauces, vegetable toppings, and fresh seafood.

This couple set out a raw bar, catered by Annie Gunn's, for their guests to snack on during cocktail hour, featuring sashimi, ceviche, and four types of East Coast oysters.