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  6. 22 Wedding Finger Foods That Will Satisfy Everyone's Palate
Martha Stewart Weddings

22 Wedding Finger Foods That Will Satisfy Everyone's Palate

Nashia Baker, Associate Digital Editor at Martha Stewart
By Nashia Baker Updated March 21, 2022
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whitney zach wedding appetizer blini with caviar
Credit: Jose Villa

Serve these sweet and savory crowd-pleasers, ranging from huckleberry hand pies to sushi, during your celebration.

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whitney zach wedding appetizer blini with caviar
Credit: Jose Villa

The heart of the wedding day is arguably the ceremony, when a couple exchanges their marriage vows. The food that rolls out over the course of the event, however, is a close second in some couples' eyes. Newlyweds and guests alike pay special attention to all aspects of the menu, from the cocktail hour to the reception. For an extra dose of fun, consider having a few wedding finger foods on deck—after all, serving these grab-and-go bites will make everyone's culinary experience more seamless, since attendees won't have to worry about juggling plates and drinks as they mingle.

If you haven't yet given much thought to your menu, don't worry—just start with what you know and think about your favorite snacks. (Consult your partner, too, since you might have the same go-tos in mind!) Once you make a running list of your top options, think about when and what you want to share throughout your party. And remember: Wedding finger foods don't have to be reserved for the cocktail hour. Fill your reception with these easy snacks—or treat your guests to late-night bites as you make your exit.

Whatever finger foods you decide to dish out, make sure they connect to the rest of your event (try a few options that speak to your theme!); they should also be easy to carry and snack on. For a black-tie affair, for example, emulate Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events, who made these blini with caviar bites for a formal celebration along California's coastline. The light snacks were presented on a sleek marble slab, which added to the chic factor. In need of more ideas? Ahead, discover our favorite wedding finger foods—your attendees will be eager to try all of them.

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Fried Vegetables

leila joel wedding appetizers
Credit: Erich McVey

Fried wedding finger foods are an instant favorite at any event, but don't be afraid to personalize their presentation to make them specific to your nuptials. Here, Roland's Social & Business Catering whipped up some fried vegetables and served them in wood veneer cones for easy snacking; they were the perfect choice for a rustic outdoor party.

  • Your Burning Wedding Food Questions, Answered!

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Figs and Almonds

unique passed app cocktail hour figs
Credit: Sylvie Gil

Fruit can make a surprisingly big impression on guests' palates. Figs are an elevated option in this category, and when studded with almonds, offer sweet and salty flavor. Best of all, these grab-and-go bites are nutritious and gluten free when dried—which means they are perfect for those who may have dietary restrictions.

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Ahi Tuna

jena donny wedding appetizers on tray
Credit: Ashley Ludaescher Photography

If you enjoy eating fish on the regular, consider serving a colorful array of related seafood nibbles on the big day. These ahi tuna bites were provided by Field to Table and were displayed on a platter with garnishes already placed on each piece. 

  • 20 Raw Bars Perfect for Your Summer Wedding

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Short-Rib Beggar's Purses

rae rob wedding appetizers
Credit: Joel Serrato

Want to transform your finger foods into an Instagram-worthy moment? Take a cue from Paula DeLuc, who cooked up these short-rib beggar's purses—they were almost too beautiful to eat.

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Mini BLTs

Claire and Dan's reception food tray with mini BLTs
Credit: Brandon Chesbro Photography

Sandwiches are everyday lunchtime staples, but that doesn't mean you can't upgrade them on the big day. Kristen Winston Catering made elevated versions of mini BLTs, composed of toast rounds topped with tomato slices and crumbled bacon, for this couple's elegant event.

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Pork Steamed Buns

wedding cocktail hour food on skewers served on gold tray
Credit: Lauren Renée Photography

If you want to add snackable Chinese cuisine to your menu, consider emulating this couple, who asked their caterer, JPC Event Group, to make delicious pork steamed buns—filled with Chinese barbecue pork and vegetables—as shareables.

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Hand Pies

small pastries on wooden tray for wedding food
Credit: Orange Photographie

If you love dessert but don't want to serve a big wedding cake, consider asking your caterer to provide tiny pies. These individual huckleberry hand pies from The Wild Table are the perfect alternative.

  • The 22 Best Wedding Pies

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Meat and Potato Bites

server holding tray of wedding food
Credit: Liz Fogarty Photography

Design Cuisine leaned towards simple, yet tasty, finger foods for guests at this party. To maximize the flavor of these meat and potato bites, celebrants used tasting sheets to select the perfect wine pairing.

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Quartet of Treats

wedding reception petite desserts treat bar
Credit: Alp & Isle

Why indulge in one type of petite treat when you can have a tetrad? This couple decided to skip a traditional wedding confection altogether and served mini fours instead with raspberry toppings, chocolate flavors, and more at their reception, which was designed by Calluna Events.

  • How to Create the Ultimate Wedding Dessert Table

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Crab Cakes

person holding white tray of wedding appetizers
Credit: Charla Storey

Are you a fan of seafood, but don't want to serve oysters or cocktail shrimp? Think outside the shell and try Italian herb-crusted crab cakes, for instance. Proper Catering made these bite-size finger foods for this pair's backyard wedding.  

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Hawaiian Tuna Poke

wedding cocktail hour appetizers
Credit: Shannon Moffit Photography

It's definitely possible to recreate your favorite meals in miniature form—which is a great approach to take when you're ideating your finger foods. Occasions Caterers, for example, downsized a traditional poke bowl by offering Hawaiian tuna poke on nori crackers.

  • How Many Passed Appetizers Should We Serve During Cocktail Hour?

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Fried Fare

white cocktail tray with wedding appetizers
Credit: Allen Tsai

Wolfgang Puck Catering served up fried bites atop trays lined with the couple's engagement photos for a personal nod to the newlyweds. Mimic this design element when dishing out your favorite foods to pay homage to your relationship, too.

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Cuban Sandwiches

shelby david wedding cocktail food on trays
Credit: Lisa Blume Photography

The point of finger foods is to pick them up and pop them in your mouth, whether you're mingling with guests around a cocktail table or on the dance floor. That's why Copper Kitchen served Cuban sliders speared with toothpicks; they were an easier appetizer to enjoy while the celebrants were moving around at this event.

  • What to Serve at Your Post-Wedding Day Brunch This Spring

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Goat Cheese Crostini

black and white tux server holding wicker serving tray with appetizers
Credit: Hunter Ryan Photo

Cheese lovers won't be able to get enough of these tiny goat cheese crostinis. Puff 'n Stuff supplied the snack-size food on mini wooden dishes and a stunning woven tray for the perfect presentation.

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Churros and Hot Chocolate

sofia alberto wedding dessert churros and hot chocolate
Credit: Merari Teruel

Planning to pay homage to your roots through your wedding food? Make a statement with even the tiniest of bites, like this couple did at their party. They honored their Spanish and Cuban heritage even as the night came to a close by serving churros with hot chocolate, courtesy of Le Basque.

  • Dessert Table Ideas from Real Weddings

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Open-Face Sandwiches

gigi kyle wedding server holding appetizers
Credit: Abby Jiu

If you're sticking to a wedding theme, you might as well go all out. That's what this duo did at their Paris-inspired nuptials, complete with building façades reminiscent of a street market in the French city, designed by Grit & Grace. To reinforce the idea, they dished out their favorite French finger foods, such as open-face sandwiches, foie gras, mousse macarons, and other bites.

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Cloche Appetizers

platter of wedding appetizers
Credit: Jainé Kershner Photography

An outdoor event is great for the pair who wants to enjoy the sunshine on their big day, but if the conditions turn (or you get a particularly buggy afternoon) you'll want to protect your food, however tiny. Miniature cloches are a stylish way to do just that. Thomas Preti Events to Savor plated these individual loaded crackers and covered them with glass to keep them fresh.

  • How to Choose a Summer Wedding Menu That'll Hold Up in the Heat—and Help Keep Guests Cool!

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Ceviche Bites

server holding copper dish of wedding appetizers
Credit: Greg Finck

Served up in a gold bowl, this classic seafood appetizer gets an elegant, snack-sized twist. Four Seasons Baltimore created the dish for this wedding; they were the perfect size to grab and go.

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In-N-Out Burgers

in-n-out burgers on white tray at wedding reception
Credit: Matoli Keely

At weddings, anything goes, food-wise—which means you should feel free to serve your guilty pleasures. These newlyweds rounded up New York Food Company to grill sliders similar to those from In-N-Out Burger. The best part? Lizzie Mooney created monogrammed napkins to add another personal touch.

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

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Goat Cheese Tartelettes

cocktail hour appetizers on platter
Credit: Rebecca Yale

When you think of tartelettes, your mind might go to sweet pastries. Savory versions shouldn't be cast aside, though. At this wedding, the Estate at Yountville's goat cheese tartelettes caught the attention of guests—and were a definite favorite for this couple.

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Wall of Doughnuts

charlene jeremy wedding reception donut desserts
Credit: Alexandra Meseke

Doughnuts are one of our favorite dessert finger foods. Kick things up a notch by choosing unique flavors, like Glazed & Confused did, here. Options like "Pardon my Strawberry French Toast" (a maple-glazed creation with cream cheese, freshly sliced strawberries, and powdered sugar) and "What the Fluff?" (a peanut butter glaze with fluff buttercream and a chocolate drizzle) were guest favorites.

  • 20 Wedding Food Walls That Will (Literally) Elevate Your Big-Day Cuisine

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    1 of 22
    2 of 22 Fried Vegetables
    3 of 22 Figs and Almonds
    4 of 22 Ahi Tuna
    5 of 22 Short-Rib Beggar's Purses
    6 of 22 Mini BLTs
    7 of 22 Pork Steamed Buns
    8 of 22 Hand Pies
    9 of 22 Meat and Potato Bites
    10 of 22 Quartet of Treats
    11 of 22 Crab Cakes
    12 of 22 Hawaiian Tuna Poke
    13 of 22 Fried Fare
    14 of 22 Cuban Sandwiches
    15 of 22 Goat Cheese Crostini
    16 of 22 Churros and Hot Chocolate
    17 of 22 Open-Face Sandwiches
    18 of 22 Cloche Appetizers
    19 of 22 Ceviche Bites
    20 of 22 In-N-Out Burgers
    21 of 22 Goat Cheese Tartelettes
    22 of 22 Wall of Doughnuts

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    22 Wedding Finger Foods That Will Satisfy Everyone's Palate
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