Appetizer Ideas Perfect For A Backyard Wedding
There are so many wonderful reasons to have a backyard wedding. Celebrations can be as upscale as you wish or more casual affairs. Either way, the couple gets to celebrate their wedding day at the place that matters most. They ultimately feel more like themselves and get to revisit their wedding venue day after day. When it comes to backyard weddings, the food is often a topic of discussion. There are so many various ideas of food you can serve and ways to serve it. Especially when it comes to snacking. Here are our top snack and appetizers ideas perfect for your backyard wedding.
Why are appetizers important?
You may be wondering why appetizers and snacks are so important for a backyard wedding. Although the appetizers are not your main course, they serve a big purpose. Often appetizers can be served throughout your wedding day. This means they can be used at different parts after your guest arrives to when they leave. They are often one of the first things your guest receives after your wedding ceremony, so they are very important.
Appetizers are also the first taste of your wedding day for guests. Literally! You want to be sure that your appetizers are amazing and a treat to enjoy. This sets the stage for the rest of the reception and your main meal. Your wedding guests will most likely enjoy appetizers as they talk to other guests and make themselves welcome. So not only are they a yummy treat, but they are also a part of easing into the event.
When thinking of snacks and appetizers to serve at your backyard wedding, be sure to take into consideration what type of wedding you will have. Is your backyard wedding more upscale? In that case, you may want to avoid finger food. If your backyard wedding is more casual, then stick with hearty, more common appetizers. Also, keep in mind how your appetizers are served can also make a big impact.
Unique Appetizers
If your backyard wedding is one of a kind, then consider making your appetizers the same way! Appetizers are often more fun when they get to be an experience for your guests. Allow your guests to try something new and adventurous. Explore our unique appetizer suggestions below and see if they strike inspiration for your big day.
Unique appetizers perfect for a backyard wedding:
- Blue Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates: These bacon-wrapped dates are the perfect finger food for the big day. They are served in a blue cheese dressing, which makes them sweet and savory at the same time.
- Pickled Fennel Salami: The Pickled Fennel Salami is an instant hit with any crowd. It has a mild flavor that goes well with almost anything, and it also works as an excellent garnish on most dishes, such as Caesar salad or any pasta dish.
- Mini Meatball Skewers: Mini meatballs are easy to make and provide each guest with their own individual piece of meatball instead of sharing as traditional meatballs do. The mini meatballs go great in marinara sauce or on top of spaghetti squash for a low-carb dinner option.
- Picnic-Style Sausage Rolls: Sausage rolls can be messy, but they pack so much flavor! They can be served warm or cold in a crispy pastry shell or stuffed inside bread dough for a nice change of pace! This classic sausage roll is best enjoyed as is or with a mustard dipping sauce.
Keep in mind when serving more unique food to disclose any common food allergies. Mushrooms and peanuts, for example, are common ingredients that people can be allergic to. Be sure to disclose the ingredients of your appetizers on your wedding day for guests to see clearly. And if your appetizers are being served, be sure your wait staff is familiar with each ingredient.
Sweet and Savory Ideas
It’s hard to pick just one appetizer for a wedding reception, so it’s best to have a mix of sweet and savory options. Serving sweet and savory appetizers can be another adventure for guests! These are often so yummy and unique. Plus, there are so many options, and they are perfect for eating outdoors. Explore our favorite sweet and savory appetizer ideas below to see if they are a great fit for your big day.
Sweet and savory appetizer ideas for your backyard wedding:
- Chocolate covered strawberries
- Mini meatball sliders on mini French rolls
- Cheese straws with bacon jam
- Crab cakes with lemon mayonnaise
- Caramelized onion and goat cheese wontons
Sweet and savory appetizers often have dual temperatures. Be sure to pay attention to how your appetizers are served and if you take extra precautions to keep food warm and/or cool.
Budget-Friendly Snacks
Appetizers can become costly. So if your backyard wedding is on a tighter budget, consider serving yummy appetizers that also won’t break the bank. You don’t need to spend a ton to impress your guests with a tasty appetizer. Explore our ideas below and see if they can work for your budget and your wedding day.
Budget-friendly appetizer ideas for a backyard wedding:
- Loaded gourmet nachos
- Mini corn dogs
- Buffalo chicken wraps
- Pie-packed pretzel bites
- Creamy bacon ranch dip
- Sweet potato fries
Keep in mind with serving budget-friendly appetizers, you can save even more by using meatless appetizers or appetizers without any type of dipping sauce. You can also shop at discount groceries or bulk wholesale grocery stores like Costco or Sam’s Club. This can help save costs when shopping for a large number of people.
Dressing up your snacks and appetizers
Appetizers are often the talk of your reception. That is until the main course is served. Keep in mind that your snacks and appetizers will help pull your entire wedding theme or overall vibe together. They should match your wedding’s look and feel. And they can do that with an added flare! Consider dressing your appetizers for your backyard wedding.
One option for this is to emphasize the backyard feel. Consider food wrappers like this for more common appetizers. And for a more upscale look and feel, consider these bamboo twist cocktail picks. They can be great for dressing up finger foods.
Kid friendly snacks and snack stations
If you plan on having small children at your backyard wedding, consider having separate snacks for them. Children will often snack only at events like a wedding. Plus, if you’re having an interactive backyard wedding, snacks may be the only way to convince small children to slow down enough to eat.
Consider snacks like juice boxes and chicken nuggets. You can have these out the entire time of your wedding, and children can help themselves throughout the event. Water bottles, peanuts, crackers, and bread are also great snacks to have around at all times for both children and adults.
selecting your backyard wedding appetizers
There are so many different types of appetizers and snacks that it’s hard to choose which ones to serve. But if you want to wow your guests, you should go for something unique and memorable that will leave a lasting impression. Consider what your favorite snacks and appetizers are. Overlook if they are fancy or not. Simply create a list of your favorites and consider serving a few of those! On top of a few fan favorites. You can dress up or dress down your appetizers to match the overall aesthetic of your backyard wedding.
