22 Genius Food and Drink Pairings for Your Wedding

By Emily Platt
April 04, 2013
Braedon Photography

Impress guests with a delicious menu duo. These snacks and sips perfectly complement each other.

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Braedon Photography

Great food and good drinks will leave a lasting impression on your big-day guests. But to really drive the success of your wedding's menu home, it doesn't hurt to take things one step further. We're talking about serving food and drink pairings that are curated to complement one another. Here, we've compiled a mouthwatering list of some of our favorites.

Food and drink combinations work well during cocktail hour—especially if they're easily passable and perfectly presentable. Picture mini beverages paired with bite-sized appetizers that are both adorable and functional. You can also serve dynamic duos later into your reception, though, whether that's during the main meal, dessert, or as late-night treats. That's because there are tons of options when it comes to these types of snacks and sips. Whether you're looking for something sweet or savory, there's an idea out there for you.

Our roundup of refreshments draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including wedding seasons, wedding locations, and wedding themes. Getting hitched in England? Obsessed with Downton Abbey? Fish 'n' chips and mini glasses of beer are an irresistible nod to the Brits, for example. (The ones pictured came from Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events.) There are foods from all sorts of categories, plus hot drinks, cold drinks, and—of course—boozy drinks.

Overall, we've worked to showcase a whole bunch of delicious wedding food and drink pairings, from classic combos to creative couplings that are sure to surprise and delight your guests. Don't blame us if they go fast!

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Corn Dogs and Beer

Katie Stoops Photography
Get More Genius Ideas for Serving Carnival Food at Your Wedding

Nod to your favorite carnival fare with mini corn dogs plus beer, as shown in this A Thyme to Cook spread.

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Cotton Candy and Bubbly

Marsais Photographie

Bubbly beverages, like Champagne and Prosecco, pair well with sweets. Lush Puff swirled up this cotton candy.

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Shrimp and Gazpacho

Lauren Kinsey

There's nothing like the classic combo of shrimp and cocktail sauce, but gazpacho is a pretty close second. Shooters of the chilled soup were garnished with fresh shellfish.

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Bacon and Bourbon

Austin Gros
Get More Cocktail Hour Food Ideas Your Guests Will Love

Believe it or not, the savory snack tastes delicious combined with the dark spirit. Kristen Winston Catering catered this event.

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Grilled Cheese and Soup

Elaine Palladino Photography

At this Starr Catering Group wedding, guests chased their mini grilled cheeses with shots of tomato soup.

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Fry Cakes and Ice Cream

Mary Dougherty
See Other Mouthwatering Ways to Serve Ice Cream at Your Wedding

This couple worked with Oliver's to serve yummy fry cakes alongside vanilla ice cream.

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Tacos and Margaritas

Luna de Mare

Can you name a more iconic duo? Haute Catering served these tiny Jose Cuervo margaritas with tacos.

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Beignets and Coffee

Arte de Vie Photography
See More Creative Ways to Serve Coffee at Your Wedding

We love how Nottoway Plantation & Resort offered these beignets and cups of coffee as a sweet way to wind down the night.

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Fries and Soda

Elyse Hall Photography
Get More Tasty Ideas for Late-Night Wedding Snacks

A Dash of Details had the genius idea to create "lunchboxes" of sorts for her guests, featuring sweet Coca Cola and salty French fries.

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Biscuits and Beer

Nancy Ray Photography

Mitchell's Catering & Events served biscuit sandwiches and beer as mouthwatering hors d'oeuvres.

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Oysters and Bloody Marys

Nancy Ray Photography

These refreshments weren't just paired—they were served to be consumed simultaneously. Each little Bloody Mary shooter (from Cru Catering) contained an oyster.

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Sandwiches and Beer

Olivia Leigh Photographie

Offer your favorite sammie with your favorite brew. Wolfgang Puck catered this food.

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Cookies and Coffee

Rachel Moore

Here's another tasty dessert pairing: coffee-flavored liqueur and cookies. This G Catering & Events wedding featured Kahlúa shots (complete with sprinkle-coated rims) plus oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies.

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Pretzels and Beer

Trevor Dixon

Serve a regional pairing, like this couple did. Their Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, celebration included Yuengling beer and Philly Pretzel Factory snacks.

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Truffles and Liqueur

Mary Rosenbaum Photographs

Chef's Market topped these Grand Mariner shots with dark chocolate-flavored cake truffles.

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Fritters and Soup

Larissa Cleveland Photography

Sage Catering Co. served summery appetizers at this wedding: corn fritters with chilled tomato soup shooters.

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Popsicles and Champagne

The Great Romance
See More of Our Favorite Frozen Wedding Drinks

Try popsicles in Champagne—guests will marvel at the fun combination. Hungry Bear Catering Co. provided these desserts-turned-drinks.

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Tacos and Moscow Mules

Anna Delores Photography

What's cuter than mini Moscow mule cups? The mini cocktails combined with tiny tacos, of course. Haute Catering served these ones.

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Cake and Whiskey

Milou + Olin Photography

These adorable dessert flights came with individual Paper Heart Patisserie cakes paired with different whiskeys. 

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Pigs in a Blanket and Beer

5th Avenue Digital

Bite-sized hotdogs and mini "pints" are an adorable pairing, as this Westminster Hotel wedding went to show.

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Donuts and Coffee

Braedon Photography
See More Delicious Ways to Serve Donuts at Your Wedding

Who doesn't love a donut hole? Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events served the childhood favorite with mugs of coffee for an after-dinner wedding treat.

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By Emily Platt