50 Fun Menu Innovations for Your Reception
A great party calls for fabulous food and drink. Impress your guests with unique interactive stations, creative small plates, and signature cocktails. You’ll be inspired by these 50 fun and innovative menu ideas.
By: Mary Wozniak
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Spaghetti and meatballs go upscale for a clever and tasty one-bite appetizer.
Photo Credit: Garrison McArthur Photo via Oliver & Bonacini
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Ahi tuna tartare gets an elegant presentation in a crisp cone, with sriracha, mango, and lime-avocado cream.
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Goel of Bite Catering
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Novel green tomato gazpacho shooters are topped with toasted almonds and micro cilantro.
Photo Credit: Feast and Imbibe
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Who doesn’t love melty grilled cheese? Try this mini comfort food accompanied by tomato soup shooters.
Photo Credit: 5th Avenue Digital Photography via Westminster Hotel
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A gorgeous cheese wheel wedding cake is embellished with fresh flowers and succulents. Calligraphy tags label each cheese selection.
Photo Credit: Ten22 Studio / Style/Design: Kim Stoegbauer of The TomKat Studio and Real California Milk
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This clever fork display features one-bite cheese pairings like camembert and jalapeño, manchego and fig, and blue cheese with cranberry and walnut.
Photo Credit: Ten22 Studio / Style/Design: Kim Stoegbauer of The TomKat Studio and Real California Milk
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Another fun mini-pairing: hot dogs and beer.
Photo Credit: 5th Avenue Digital Photography via Westminster Hotel
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Trending: stylish mini appetizer and drink pairings, like these mini Patron margaritas with taco bites.
Photo Credit: Feast and Imbibe
Hometown Favorites
This Tuscan-inspired wedding featured a lavish pizza buffet.
Photo Credit: Julie Harmsen Photography via Finch and Thistle Event Design
Hometown Favorites
Top off your seaside dinner with these amazing decorated cookies from Sweet Ambs.
Photo Credit: Amber Spiegel of Sweet Ambs
Hometown Favorites
An outdoor New England celebration features a traditional Martha’s Vineyard clambake by The Kitchen Porch.
Photo Credit: Adachi Photography
Hometown Favorites
Show some hometown pride with well-loved treats. Guests of these Philadelphia natives experienced authentic Philly cheesesteaks.
Photo Credit: Onelove Photography via Jay's Catering Co.
Creative Displays
There’s something for everyone when you offer a variety of fresh-baked pies. Decorate individual pie slice boxes with ribbon or rustic twine for a pretty and practical serving idea.
Photo Credit: Paramore Art Works/Etsy
Creative Displays
Calling all French fry lovers! Handmade signage provides a rustic display.
Photo Credit: Sophia's Sign Boutique/Etsy
Creative Displays
A salad course served in this striking display is lovely for an summer outdoor meal.
Photo Credit: Adeline Leigh
Creative Displays
A winter wedding calls for a hot chocolate bar, made special with a selection of peppermint and chocolate toppings and extras like caramel drizzle and sea salt.
Photo Credit: Pen & Paper Flowers
Creative Displays
Impress your guests with an innovative interactive experience: an olive oil tasting station.
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Goel of Bite Catering
Creative Displays
Offer healthy avocado halves with an assortment of tasty toppings, like shrimp ceviche, fresh salsa, and flavored salts.
Photo Credit: Claire McCormack Photography via Carte Wheels Catering
Creative Displays
A delightful and functional display idea from Simple Bites: present your outdoor buffet in an old canoe, accented with pretty wildflowers.
Photo Credit: Tim Chin Photography via Simple Bites
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A unique multi-tiered wedding tart is artfully adorned with seasonal fresh fruit and flowers.
Photo Credit: Loblee Photography via Indigo Jones Eats/Etsy
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Everything is better on a stick! Freshly-grilled chicken yakitori, lamb, and falafel skewers are served with a variety of dipping sauces.
Photo Credit: Savoury City
Unique and Trendy Elements
Go for ultra-trendy with a siphon soup station.
Photo Credit: Per Pixel Photography via 24 Carrots
Unique and Trendy Elements
Display your creativity with signature drinks and DIY this customizable and printable cocktail menu.
Photo Credit: The Doodle Coop/Etsy
Unique and Trendy Elements
Set up a stylish Italian soda bar with a variety of fruity flavors. Don’t forget the whipped cream!
Photo Credit: Making the World Cuter
Unique and Trendy Elements
Get in on the craft beer craze with beer tasting flights.
Photo Credit: Fabienne M Photography via Crystal Ballroom
Unique and Trendy Elements
Try something new: a mobile gelato bar, bringing amazing flavors like Tiramisu, Strawberry Fresca, and Salted Caramel. Yum!
Photo Credit: Popup Gelato
Unique and Trendy Elements
Imagine your charming shabby-chic dessert display with these edible sugar doilies.
Photo Credit: Sweet Marve Lace/Etsy
Unique and Trendy Elements
Favorite sweet s’mores get a tasty upgrade with homemade graham crackers and artisanal marshmallows.
Photo Credit: Spencer Jones at Glass House Assignment via Indigo Jones Eats/Etsy
Unique and Trendy Elements
Pretty in pink cotton candy martinis are a fun signature cocktail.
Photo Credit: Clark + Walker Studio
Unique and Trendy Elements
A towering display of colorful French macarons — over 200 in 10 tiers! — is a trendy wedding cake alternative. Dana's Bakery offers fun flavors like cookie dough and fruity cereal.
Photo Credit: Dana's Bakery
Hometown Favorites
Honor your cultural heritage with a special dish like this bibimbap, a signature Korean rice bowl.
Photo Credit: Per Pixel Photography via 24 Carrots
Hometown Favorites
Recall your Italian grandma’s Sunday dinner with this pasta and meatball snack.
Photo Credit: Ballogg Photography via Entertaining Company
Have Some Fun!
DIY a rustic popcorn bar with downloadable chalkboard signage from Pen & Paper Flowers.
Photo Credit: Pen & Paper Flowers
Have Some Fun!
Everybody’s favorite hot dogs can come right to you in a fun hot dog cart.
Photo Credit: Adeline Leigh
Have Some Fun!
The sweets table gets special treatment in this backyard wedding with a vintage carnival theme.
Photo Credit: Randy + Ashley
Favorite Snacks
Treat all-night partiers to an amazing breakfast sandwich: egg, cheese, and New Jersey’s own Trenton pork roll.
Photo Credit: Fabienne M Photography via Crystal Ballroom
Favorite Snacks
What groom wouldn’t go wild for this “Man Cave” station, featuring cheese and pepperoni calzones and buffalo wings?
Photo Credit: Fabienne M Photography via Crystal Ballroom
Favorite Snacks
After a night of dancing and partying, a delish deli sandwich is a perfect late night snack.
Photo Credit: Ballogg Photography via Entertaining Company
Favorite Snacks
PB & J gets a style upgrade with glazed jalapeno bacon.
Photo Credit: Shaun Andrews via Colette's Events
Favorite Snacks
A macaroni and cheese station, complete with toppings, is comfort food at its best.
Photo Credit: Erin Lee at The Collection via Fete Nashville
Favorite Snacks
Watch your guests dig into this lavish nacho bar. Margarita, anyone?
Photo Credit: Chef Tony McClanahan of First Fruits Catering
Favorite Snacks
Salty soft pretzels with honey mustard and beer cheese adorn a delightful display by Layered Vintage.
Photo Credit: Kaysen Photography via 24 Carrots
Favorite Snacks
No one will miss the cake when you serve up funnel cakes and sweet toppings.
Photo Credit: Vinson Photography
Unique and Trendy Elements
Stylish chalkboard décor inspires the dessert table with chalkboard wedding cookies.
Photo Credit: Lila Loa/Etsy
Unique and Trendy Elements
Give cake pops a glittery makeover for a glamorous addition to a dessert table.
Photo Credit: Beach Plum Sweets/Etsy
Have Some Fun!
Assemble mason jars and all the fixings for a fun interactive trail mix buffet.
Photo Credit: Jordan Remke of Kojo Designs
Have Some Fun!
Watermelon on a stick is a simple and refreshing idea for an outdoor summer celebration.
Photo Credit: Kara's Party Ideas
Have Some Fun!
Childhood favorite rice krispie treats are transformed with a charming design by The Cookie Star.
Photo Credit: Kimberly Shen of From the Heart Events
