I am getting married April 17 2010. We are wanting to do just finger food bc the wedding is at 3:00 in the afternoon. I have a few items that I want to fix but I need more ideas. I need something that is going to be easy to prepare bc I have to do all teh food prep myself the day before.
Thanks in advance for everyones help.
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veggies and dip
chips and deep
cheese & crackers tray
cookie tray
cheese balls
find stuff you can make ahead of time and wont be wore out the day before from cooking…..
and enlist some help!
Search for appetizers
search for make ahead food…..
Ok, here’s some failproof hints. I’ve catered a couple small weddings and also about 50 corporate events.
The two must-haves are veggie platter and fruit/cheese platter. This might be the one thing that needs to be prepared the same day to keep fresh, but have your dipping sauces ready and then it’s just chopping. Try to give a couple sauces for the veggie platter (check online for clever ideas). I had one once with ranch and curry – people loved them. Get your cheese at a place like costco or Sams.
One thing that is always popular, easy to make and inexpensive is deviled eggs!
If there’s anyway you can serve simple swedish meatballs in a couple crockpots, these are incredibly popular (and can obviously be made ahead). I don’t like them myself, but if you set some large toothpicks out, I guarantee they’ll be gone.
Another popular option is pinwheels. Just take slices of ham or salami, put cream cheese on them, roll up and secure with toothpick.
Finally, try to find a unique dip that you could serve. For example, I’ve seen people make that Knorr spinach dip and then set it out in a hollowed pumpernickel loaf. Then just cut the remaining bread into cubes and people can use toothpicks to dip.
Also, always remember that for anything requiring toothpicks, you need to actually put the toothpick into the item. This prevents double dipping. It’s trickier with the swedish balls, but it can be done.
Don’t prepare anything yourself … get ready-made trays from a local deli or supermarket, or big frozen boxes of hors d’oeuvres that you can heat up right before serving.
It will probably cost you just as much as it would to buy the individual ingredients and make everything yourself. And even if it is a little more expensive, it will certainly be worth it in terms of your time and your peace of mind.
I would also recommend NOT putting out and serving the food yourself. Also, don’t rely on a family member or friend/bridesmaid to do this, because they should be enjoying the party and not working. Hire a college kid, someone off Craigslist, a sibling’s friend who wouldn’t otherwise be invited to the wedding, or a waiter or two from a local cafe who’s off on your wedding day and wants some extra cash. Pay them a few bucks, or send them home with the leftovers or a case of beer or something. Or trade work with someone … maybe ask a neighbor to help you out, and in return you will mow their lawn for a month. (Just an example.)
Cheese and cracker trays
Fresh fruit trays (yogurt and chocolate dip)
Vegetable trays (with sour cream dip, spinach dip)
Deli meats, sliced cheese and fresh rolls
Cocktail shrimp
stuffed mushrooms
Assorted dips and hummus, with pretzels and crackers and chips
Pigs in a blanket
Brie in phyllo dough or crescent roll dough
Bacon-wrapped scallops
Chicken fingers
Cocont shrimp
Mini quiches
Sandwich or wrap platters, or a big sub sandwich cut into individual servings
Potato and noodle salad
Big pans of lasagna or ziti, with salad and fresh bread
Mini burgers/sliders, or pulled pork with some fresh rolls nearby to make sandwiches
Deviled eggs
Olives and pickles
Chicken wings
Spring rolls and potstickers
Meatballs on toothpicks
Mini crab cakes
Red baby potatoes with sour cream
Corn and black bean salsa, with chips
Quesadillas
Sesame chicken chunks, or sweet and sour chicken on skewers
BBQ beef skewers
Potato skins with cheese and bacon bits
Cupcakes and brownies for dessert
CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN! Rent one or buy one. Cut up bananas, have whole straberries, pretzels, and anything else you like to dip in chocolate…have it all set up with tooth picks.
Everyone else pretty much got the list down…sandwhiches, cocktail sausages, meatballs, chips dips, veggies, cheese and meat tray, fruit trays, maybe chicken tenders or popcorn chicken/shrimp, things like crab dip or spinich dip…and cookies