Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Wedding Ceremony & Reception Wedding Reception Ideas Wedding Food, Drink & Menus Unexpected Wedding Food Ideas Your Guests Will Love By Nashia Baker Nashia Baker Nashia Baker is a skilled writer and editor in the journalism industry, known for her work interviewing global thought leaders, creatives, and activists, from Aurora James to Stacey Abrams. She has over five years of professional experience and has been a part of the Martha Stewart and Martha Stewart Weddings teams for the last 3 years. Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 11, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Jes Workman You don't have to plan an unconventional wedding to serve up unexpected, unique cuisine. There's so much more to your big day's hors d'oeuvres than shrimp cocktail and pigs-in-a-blanket (not that there's anything wrong with those options!). To inspire your own creative fare, we've rounded up our favorite dishes with a twist from real weddings. Mini lobster rolls and tiny ceviche bites proved that small versions of the classics often have maximum impact. Festive paper cones with fries and personalized packets of popcorn made the cocktail hour snacks compact enough to tote around, while milkshake shots, gelato carts, and churro donuts showed up the classic wedding cake. Ultimately, there's nothing wrong with sticking to tried-and-true wedding foods. They're signatures for a reason, and there are so many ways to make expected cuisine unexpected, including serving those staples in unique ways. However you approach it, here's one piece of advice: Serve the foods that you love as a couple—no matter how niche—to ensure that your menu, like the rest of your wedding day, reflects who you two are. 01 of 27 Pressed Chicken Spoons Rachel Havel You won't want to let these shareable snacks pass you by during cocktail hour. The oversized spoons, made by GB Culinary, featured pressed chicken thighs with garlic aioli and pickled beets. How Much Food Should You Serve During Cocktail Hour? 02 of 27 Individual Meals Meg Smith Consider ordering individual meals from a caterer and serving them in picnic baskets, like this duo did here. Attendees snacked on miniature cheese boards with charcuterie, mason jar salads, and easy-to-eat entrées, like salmon, Wagyu steak, and vegetables, courtesy of Betty Zlatchin Catering. 03 of 27 Dippable Bites Ether and Smith Who says finger foods have to be reserved for casual settings? Try serving dippable options like these from Panda Catering. Miniature egg rolls or spring rolls with a signature sauce are perfect cocktail hour bites. How Many Appetizers Should We Offer During Cocktail Hour? 04 of 27 Loaded Ladles Joel Serrato Serve lighter fare, like tuna tartare on wonton spoons, so that guests can easily grab and snack. 05 of 27 Milkshake Shots Abby Jiu Photography Mini milkshake shots, complete with chocolate chip cookie dippers, will satisfy everyone's sweet tooth at the end of your big day. The Inn at Fernbrook Farms supplied these sweet treats for the couple and their guests to indulge in on the dance floor. 39 Amazing Dessert Tables from Real Weddings 06 of 27 Serrano Ham and Pan-Fried Foie Gras Anya Kernes This couple's caterer, De Bouche en Bouche, made a sampler of light bites, such as serrano ham and pan-fried foie gras, for their reception; they were presented so beautifully, they looked like dessert! 07 of 27 Gelato Bike Tailor James Photography For those who love gelato—or who have a special connection to Italy—consider adding a bike filled with the sweet stuff. These brides believed that more is, well, more when it came to dessert, so they had six gelato flavors on deck from Dolce Bacio, in addition to their wedding cake and cannolis. Mouthwatering Ways to Serve Ice Cream at Your Wedding 08 of 27 Charcuterie Cones Valorie Darling These antipasto charcuterie cones, a twist on the charcuterie board dreamed up by Lon Lane's Inspired Occasions, will please celebrants. One perk to this particular appetizer? It's perfect for those hoping to curate an allergy- or intolerance-friendly menu, as it can be completely gluten-free. 09 of 27 Homemade Paella Alex Mari Dish out a delicious, homemade main entrée, like paella, to root your reception in tradition, like this couple. The bride's father and best friend who she grew up with next door were both chefs, and they prepared this meal. The food was reminiscent of childhood, as she often cooked and shared homemade dishes with her neighbors. 10 of 27 Pizza Pies This Modern Romance If you're searching for a unique main course, copy this couple and set up a pizza station. Bonus points if you go for unique toppings, like this pie: a smoked salmon pizza with dill crème fraîche and caviar made byWolfgang Puck Catering. 11 of 27 Donuts, Parfaits, and Cookies Sophie Epton When it comes time to serve desserts, why display just one? This set-up, complete with berry almond parfaits, churro donuts, and cookies, was created by Hey There, Cupcake. Perfect for the couple with a sweet tooth, a spread of unexpected sugary treats will leave you and your guests fully satisfied. How Many Different Options Should You Have on Your Wedding Dessert Table? 12 of 27 Bubble Teas Bo Shim of Bashful Captures Signature sips are not just reserved for cocktails. Treat yourself and your guests to bubble teas—they're perfect to cool off and indulge in during a warm-weather celebration. Patina Events provided these tasty sips. 13 of 27 Crispy Fennel and Leek Arancini The Edges Calling all outdoor enthusiasts: This crispy fennel and leek arancini on a tree branch, created by Meadowood Napa Valley, is quite literally the epitome of al fresco eating. 16 Things You Need to Know to Pull Off an Outdoor Wedding 14 of 27 Easy Eating Elias Kordelakos It's safe to say that serving appetizers on a stick makes for the best kid- and adult-friendly wedding foods. Address Montgomerie made this delicious shrimp tempura on a stick. 15 of 27 Omelet Bar Ashley Brown Who said you can't have breakfast for dinner—or for any meal? Try out a custom omelet bar, like this one crafted by Hamby Catering, that your loved ones can customize with their favorite ingredients. What to Eat on the Morning of Your Wedding 16 of 27 Spread of Fruit and Cheese Mo Davis Photography Create an awe-worthy display of wedding food come dinnertime with fruits, savories, and a specialty cheese cake.Bacchanal Wine catered this event to piece all of the delicious items together. 17 of 27 Ceviche Bites Greg Finck This all-around favorite will please any palate during cocktail hour. Plus, you can mix and match other bite-sized eats to go along with them, too, likeFour Seasons Baltimore did at this party. 18 of 27 Donut Cubbyholes KT Merry Let your guests pick out their donut of choice from individual cubbyholes. Just be sure to make like VG Donut & Baker and dish out different sizes and flavors for variety and a great photo opp. 19 of 27 French Fry Cones Joel Serrato Go carnival style and present your guests with garlicky French fries in paper cones. It's so much more festive than serving them plated. 25 More Ways to Serve Carnival Food at Your Wedding 20 of 27 Mini Chocolates KT Merry Give your loved ones a sweet surprise at the reception with a chocolate-inspired seating chart like this one; a rich bite was placed next to each guest's name at this party catered by Fairmont Grand Del Mar. 21 of 27 Home and Heritage O'Malley Photographers Take tradition to a whole new level with wedding food inspired by your culture—like this colorful Hawaiian-inspired salad with poached pears, created by Chef Chai. 22 of 27 Country Cobbler Kayla F Photography Add a bit of rustic charm to your sweets menu by letting guests enjoy crumbly blueberry cobbler. Make sure everyone tops theirs with mounds of vanilla ice cream. 23 of 27 Waffle Bites Lori Paladino Photography Waffles aren't just for weekend breakfasts: Serve bite-sized varieties, with dollops of sour cream, corn, and cilantro, during cocktail hour. How to Plan the Perfect Brunch Wedding 24 of 27 Baby Lobster Rolls Emily Delamater Photography You don't have to get hitched in Maine to serve up this New England classic. Lobster rolls are an unexpected hors d'oeuvre all on their own, but these tiny versions kick it up a notch. 25 of 27 Ready-to-Go S'mores Jasmine Star Photography A s'more just doesn't taste as good if you haven't roasted it yourself. Set your guests up with everything they'll need so they can make their own at your venue's fire pit. 26 of 27 Popcorn Packets Branco Prata Perfect for a pre-ceremony snack, small popcorn bags will keep your attendees satisfied until it's time for more. 27 of 27 Churro Bites Rebecca Yale Photography Add some cinnamon-sugar sweetness to your dessert spread by offering tiny churros. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit