15 Fun Wedding Food Ideas from Real Weddings

Make your own s'more station with graham cracker pizzelles and marshmallows — Photo by SoCal Standard

Wedding food has come a long way in recent years—couples planning celebrations today are offering their guests far more than a simple selection of chicken or fish. If you want to blow your family and friends away with your cocktail hour appetizers and reception dinner, know that there's nothing wrong with bending the rules and having a bit of fun. Todays brides and grooms are making big-day food a priority, and they're personalizing their menus with their favorite dishes and unique installations. Not only can these menu choices fuel your guests throughout the day, but they can also serve as a standout part of the wedding experience.

From nostalgic treats to gourmet meals to DIY dishes, there's no shortage of creative wedding food ideas for couples to try. Want to add some fun to your own menu? Ahead, we're sharing exciting dishes from real weddings that can inspire your own catering choices.

Everything You Need to Know About Your Wedding Food Tasting

01 of 15

Walking Oyster Bars

Server at wedding holding wood tray with oysters and bowls of lemon, cocktail sauce, and horseradish — Photo by Kelsey Halm Photography

Want a fun appetizer option at your cocktail hour? Get inspired by this amazing walking oyster bar at a Southern-inspired wedding in Charleston. Waiters carried trays complete with all the fixings for guests to create their perfect shooter.

02 of 15

Late-Night Ramen

A late-night Shin Ramyun ramen station with bowls and chopsticks at a wedding reception — Photo by Larissa Cleveland

As a nod to their favorite foods, a couple had a late-night food bar at their California ranch wedding. “We had a Shin Ramyun station, where we served individual cups of spicy ramen with hot water, a big pot of kimchi jjigae, and spicy tteokbokki skewers," shares the bride.

03 of 15

Fresh Pasta

On-site fresh striped pasta activation outdoors at a dinner party wedding — Photo by Joe + Kathrina

While pasta is a common dish at weddings, not many caterers will make it on the spot. At a dinner party wedding in Palm Springs, the couple decided that this dish should be a highlight of the menu. “We had a fresh pasta station where guests could watch and interact with Fiona, a pasta-making superstar who actually collaborated with the chef on a pasta dish for one of the courses," says the bride. "[It] was one of the best pasta dishes we’ve ever had!”

04 of 15

Wood-Fired Pizza

When actors Jason Gotay and Michael Hartung tied the knot, they made sure their guests enjoyed wood-fired pizzas for the main course. "Each one named after one of our favorite musical theatre composers: The Porter, The Herman, The Ashman, and The Larson," the couple explain. "The pizzas were a variety of fall flavors, including soppressata and hot honey pizza, truffle, ricotta, prosciutto, and fig pizza, and pesto-veggie pizza. Having them served hot out of the wood-fired truck was a special and unique touch!"

7 Creative Ways to Serve Pizza at Your Wedding

05 of 15

Mini Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Tray with mini tomato soups in mugs with grilled cheese — Photo by Summer Street Photography

While all mini food could be considered super fun, something as nostalgic and comforting as a gooey grilled cheese is undeniably enjoyable. Get inspired by this hors d'oeuvre at a New York wedding and pair your own petite sandwiches with mini cups of tomato soup for even more bite-sized fun.

06 of 15

In-N-Out Burgers

Bride and groom dancing while holding an In-N-Out burger — Photo by Dennis Roy Coronel

California-based couples should take a note from the late-night snack at this Pasadena wedding. The bride and groom had In-N-Out burgers served to keep guests fueled on the dance floor.

07 of 15

French Toast Jars

Waitress carrying tray with mason jars full of syrup and french toast at a wedding — Photo by Valorie Darling

Hosting a brunch wedding? Take a page from this beautiful celebration in Idaho, where servers passed out jars of French toast and syrup to hungry guests as appetizers.

08 of 15

Mini Pancake Stacks

Waiter carrying a tray of pancake stacks with berry toppings on pearl skewers — Photo by Valorie Darling

Want to expand the menu? Mini pancakes were also a winning hit at the daytime wedding celebration. Skewers with fresh berries added some extra sweetness to the stacks.

09 of 15

An Ice Cream Truck

Bride in silver dress and groom in blue tuxedo eat ice cream next to a Mister Dips ice cream truck — Photo by Deborah Ann Photography

Your guests will love lining up to get freshly scooped ice cream at your wedding reception. It was a perfect treat to top off the evening at a summer wedding in Brooklyn.

10 of 15

An Open-Air Taco Bar

taco bar and grill on beach with pineapples hanging — Photo by Lauren Fair Photography

There's nothing better than enjoying tacos on the beach in Mexico. That's why one couple had a tropical open-air taco bar set up at their Cabo rehearsal dinner.

15 Sweet Ways to Serve Ice Cream at Your Wedding

11 of 15

Chicken Tender Takeout Boxes

Pink boxes with orange stickers with disco balls that say "Grubbshub" — Photo by Hannah Baldwin Photography

As guests left for the after-party from a colorful wedding in Maryland, they could grab a box full of chicken tenders and fries to enjoy on the journey. As a fun play on their last name “Grubb,” the couple created custom stickers to place on each pink carton that said “Grubbshub.”

12 of 15

A "Harry Potter'-Themed Cocktail Bar

Wood Harry Potter-themed bar with a neon sign that says "The Wheelers' Potions & Elixirs" — Photo by Charla Storey Photography

As a nod to their shared love of Harry Potter, one couple had a potions-themed cocktail bar at their Austin wedding. They even hired a costumed mixologist to serve up specialty brews.

13 of 15

A Margarita Bike

Wood bar with hanging lanterns and a stationary bike that makes margaritas — Photo by Paige Jones

Frozen margaritas are always a great idea for a summer wedding cocktail, however there's one way to really step up the fun. At a Cabo wedding, the brides set up a stationary bike connected to a blender near the bar. Guests could hop on, take a ride, and shake up their own frozen beverage.

14 of 15

A Rainbow Donut Wall

framed rainbow donut wall at a wedding — Photo by Ashley Rae Photography

To celebrate their pride and give guests a sweet treat, influencers Kate Austin and Sarah Sulsenti had a wall of rainbow-frosted donuts at their New Jersey wedding.

15 of 15

A S'more Station

S'mores are a nostalgic treat that all ages can enjoy. At a Moab wedding, the couple had a campfire set up alongside a s'more station with gourmet marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate so guests could create their own.

35 Food Bar Ideas for Your Wedding