Every one knows about the classic appetizers that are served at weddings: stuffed mushrooms, mini-quiches, bacon-wrapped scallops, and the like.
These are all delicious choices, but sometimes it can be fun to mix it up.
These days you are seeing many fun appetizers served at weddings.
It is great to have an elegant wedding with elegant food to match.
More and more, however, you see couples who have very elegant weddings, but choose less formal treats to serve during the cocktail hour.
The trend encompasses things like comfort foods, carnival foods, and regional favorites.
Although these little bites are less fancy than the appetizers typically served at weddings, they are always crowd-pleasers.
One bride I knew was having a very lovely wedding on a summer evening.
She wore a custom silk chiffon bridal gown with sapphire and diamond wedding jewelry.
Now, you might expect to find something like a caviar bar at her reception, based on her bridal ensemble.
But in fact, the one thing that this bride absolutely, positively could not be without at her reception was pommes frites - in other words - french fries! They were fried up all golden and crispy on the spot, and served in paper cones, just like at the carnival.
Her guests were thrilled! In this case, you could say that a preference for fun reception food runs in the family, because her older sister hired a hot dog vendor to dish out dogs for the late night party at the end of her wedding day (the bride ended up with a mustard stain on her one-of-a-kind wedding gown, but at least her wedding jewelry made it through the night unscathed!).
Comfort food is a big trend at wedding receptions.
Very popular ideas include things like little cups of mac-and-cheese, or shot glasses filled with creamy tomato soup.
Many guests go to a wedding expecting formal appetizers, and are delighted to find bite sized portions of their childhood favorites instead.
Serving comfort foods will give your reception a warm and cozy feeling that will make your guests feel right at home.
It is perfect for an autumn wedding.
A great way to personalize your wedding is to serve regional foods during the cocktail hour instead of more traditional choices.
Again, they can be very informal, down-home types of food.
At one wedding that I attended, the bride hailed from Cincinnati, which is famous for its Skyline chili.
Much to the alarm of the caterer, the bride insisted on having tiny hot dogs topped with Skyline chili during her cocktail hour.
As it turned out, the guests went crazy for the mini hotdogs, as well as for the bride's other favorite appetizer, mini Reuben sandwiches.
Your wedding should be all about you and your favorite things.
Do not worry that choosing an unusual appetizer will detract from the elegance of your big day.
Guests have the best time at those affairs that manage to be formal without being stuffy.
So if no holiday at your house is complete without them, serve up a round of pigs-in-a-blanket during your cocktail hour.
Just be sure to do it on a silver platter.