14 Appetizer Ideas for Your Wedding Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour is a guest favorite at any wedding. By the time the ceremony is over and guests are anticipating the reception, they’re usually hungry and excited to graze on some delicious food. For guests who love culinary variety and options, cocktail hour is the perfect place to taste test a number of choices. To accommodate a diversity of palates, preferences, and dietary restrictions, it’s usually best practice to include a handful of different options for your wedding cocktail hour.

From ethnic dishes to American comfort-food favorites, the options might seem overwhelming. The great news is that variety is your friend, and giving your guests some contrasting choices only serves your best intentions. To help jumpstart the planning process, we’ve compiled a list of 14 appetizer ideas for your wedding cocktail hour to inspire your culinary vision for your big day!

Sushi

Sushi is a great option for your wedding cocktail hour. It comes in bite-sized pieces and can provide a number of flavor options with a few different rolls. This will please the seafood lovers in your life while vegetarian options can also provide accommodations to those who aren’t.

Pasta Bar

A pasta bar with a handful of sauce and topping options is a perfect comfort food for your guests. Pasta is almost always a fan-favorite and you can accommodate certain dietary restrictions by allowing guests to choose what they want on top. Offer dairy- and meat-free sauce options for greater variety and sensitivity to dietary restrictions.

Mini Tacos

Tacos offer unique flavor and a bit of spice to your wedding cocktail hour options. Tacos are versatile and easy, which makes them a perfect choice for your cocktail hour. Like the pasta bar, mini tacos offer guests the opportunity to choose exactly what’s in and on them, so they’re similarly accommodating to dietary restrictions and palate preferences. Spice up your mini tacos with a variety of delicious salsas and hot sauces. Throw in some chips and guacamole as a side and your guests will be perfectly content.

Spanakopita

Spanakopita is a Greek dish known traditionally as a type of “spinach pie.” The flaky filo dough is filled with a tangy and delicious spinach and cheese combination that is mouthwateringly good. This dish can be made into individual bite-sized pockets for your guests to enjoy as an appetizer during your cocktail hour. Spanakopita would provide an attractive ethnic taste to your cocktail hour options.

Salad Bar

A salad bar is a light and refreshing option for guests who don’t want to eat their fill during cocktail hour. Let’s not forget that there is an entire catered meal scheduled to grace guests’ tastebuds not too long after. A salad bar that includes a variety of fresh vegetable options and a handful of delicious dressings is a great choice to include in your cocktail hour menu.

Caprese Bites

Caprese bites are simple, elegant, easy and satisfy almost everyone. One mozzarella bite, a basil leaf, half of a fresh cherry tomato, a skewer, and a drizzle of oil and balsamic, and you are set. Five simple ingredients and you have a delicious appetizer for your guests to enjoy. Fresh food is key!

Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Shots

To put it simply, this is an American classic. Grilled cheese & tomato soup is a trusted comfort food and is universally adored. You can elevate both foods above their humble origins by using fresh, artisanal ingredients and allowing those flavors to shine through. Use shot-sized glasses of tomato soup and place mini grilled cheese slices in the cups to offer a perfect, nostalgic bite-sized appetizer for your guests.

Meatballs

Individual meatball skewers are so simple yet so effective. This is a perfect, delicious and easy option for the meat-lovers on your guest list.

Sliders

Sliders can be created to suit a variety of palate preferences. The fun thing about sliders is that they’re just universally known as mini-sandwiches, and the type is up to you! Burgers, chicken, pulled pork? The options are endless. If you’re feeling generous, you can try a number of choices to give your guests more to choose from. Whatever you decide, sliders are always a hit at any cocktail hour.

Pizza Bites

Who doesn’t love pizza? Mini pizza slices are sure to be a hit at any wedding cocktail hour. Another classic comfort food, pizza is adored by everyone and offers versatility in flavor choices, sauces, and topping options. Mini pizza slices are also endearingly aesthetic.

Flatbread

Flatbread is another great choice for a cocktail hour appetizer. It’s similar to pizza but offers a slightly different flavor profile. It’s a little less saucy and a little more bready, but just as delicious!

Charcuterie

Charcuterie is another option that offers variety and caters to a number of different palate preferences. Nuts, cheeses, breads, crackers, fruits, and spreads are all traditionally a part of charcuterie boards. This is a great option that allows guests to graze and snack without over-filling before dinner.

Crab Rangoon

This one has become incredibly popular in recent years. The crispy exterior, tangy and soft cream cheese and crab filling, and salty-sweet dipping sauce makes this a clear standout among your appetizer options. Crab Rangoon provides a subtle ethnic flavor for your guests to enjoy.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are always a fan favorite. This can be created to suit a variety of tastebuds, which makes it a great choice for your wedding cocktail hour. You can’t go wrong with a classic combination of meat, cheese, and spices inside of a warm, earthy mushroom.

For any food lover, cocktail hour is one of the best parts of a wedding celebration. We know the choices can be overwhelming and we hope these 14 appetizer ideas for your wedding cocktail hour will help inspire you to combine the perfect variety of flavors and foods to satisfy your guests on your big day!