Fresh Takes on Classic Comfort Foods

If you think your favorite comfort foods are too casual for your wedding day, think again! These homestyle classics have been reimagined and are ready for even the most formal of celebrations.

—Rosie Purdy, former Assistant Digital Editor

Guests at this cocktail hour enjoyed bite-size chicken and waffles served on skewers for easy noshing.

Put an elegant twist on this Italian-American favorite by topping individual meatballs with a swirl of spaghetti and a tiny dollop of sauce.

Instead of the traditional wedding cake, consider serving a couple of your favorite pies. These newlyweds opted for apple and pumpkin flavors.

Plain old grits are instantly elevated when served in individual casserole dishes and topped with mouth-watering options like stewed spicy shrimp, pulled pork, or roasted mushrooms.

An array of gourmet garnishes will transform mashed potatoes from a side dish to a front-and-center favorite. Guests at this wedding had a choice of sliced black olives, caramelized onions, chopped tomatoes, caviar, salsa fresco, tortilla chip strips, basil pesto, cabernet gravy, and baby peas.

Macaroni-and-cheese doesn't have to be limited to the kids' menu. These fried bite-sized versions are dusted with truffle salt and all grown up.

Funfetti might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think wedding cake, but when placed in canning jars that are tagged with guests' names, the classic Betty Crocker mix becomes a unique (and delicious!) escort-card-turned-favor.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds served a variety of sweets at their South Carolina wedding. One standout option? These s'mores bars by Bakehouse Charleston. Their unique shape and pretty packaging makes them more suitable for a ballroom than a bonfire.

Who says a delicious Thanksgiving feast can only happen once a year?  Delight loved ones with a traditional turkey meal served with stuffing and cranberries, cornbread pudding, and mashed potatoes. Trust us, it tastes amazing at any time of the year.

Make this BBQ staple a cocktail hour favorite by serving it on bite-sized buttermilk biscuits with a side of coleslaw.

French fries are always a crowd-pleaser, but seasoned truffle fries served with delicious dips (think garlic aioli, truffle mayo, and chipotle ketchup) are in a league of their own.

For a rustic, laid-back wedding, comfort foods like mashed potatoes and corn on the cob are right on the money. Serve the meal family-style so that guests can help themselves.

There are few things more comforting than grilled cheese and tomato soup. Turn the delicious duo into a cocktail hour snack by shrinking down the sandwiches and placing them over soup shooters.