If you’re currently planning an event or wedding, you know how important catering is! Food is central to any celebration and can truly make your event even more memorable and unique. While you may be focused on getting the main dinner menu just right, we’re here to remind you to not forget the significance of your event or wedding cocktail hour! Consider this the opening act to the rest of the evening. A wedding cocktail hour serves as the kickoff to the festivities, when guests begin to mix and mingle and set the tone for the celebration.
That’s why your hors d’oeuvres choices are just as important as the main menu! As tenured event caterers, we’re giving you the ultimate list of hors d’oeuvres ideas for your event or wedding cocktail hour. From butler passed to displayed appetizers, these menu offerings will delight your guests, no matter what their taste preferences are!
Crowd Pleaser Hors D’oeuvres:
No matter what style of food service you have, we offer the perfect hors d’oeuvres to match! By offering a diverse selection of hors d’oeuvres that both accommodates dietary restrictions and presents beautifully, you can create an unforgettable experience for your guests. We frequently tell clients that the key is to delight the senses and make every bite memorable. Let’s start with some of our most popular hors d’oeuvres ideas to inspire you!
- Fiery Mac & Cheese Bites
Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? It’s the ultimate comfort food! Whether you’re throwing a baby shower, anniversary, corporate retreat, or wedding, these bites are the perfect choice. They take mac and cheese and elevate it to be elegant with a twist!
They are pastry shells filled with spicy mac and cheese and topped with a flaming dust. These are true crowd pleasers among kids and adults alike!
- Boursin Stuffed Mushroom Caps
Boursin is one of our favorite types of cheese for the herbs and mild flavor. It’s not an overpowering cheese, which is why guests love it! It pairs perfectly with earthy mushroom caps in one delightful bite. We dust the tops of each mushroom with Panko breadcrumbs as well for added crunch.
For different variations of mushroom caps, also consider:
- Andouille Sausage Stuffed Mushroom Caps
- Spinach & Mozzarella Stuffed Mushroom Caps
- Crab Stuffed Mushroom Caps
- Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Is there anything more wonderful than something wrapped in bacon? These lightly seasoned, jumbo bay scallops wrapped in applewood smoked bacon are an absolute delight. They’re well-loved by all types of guests, inspired by our own personal favorite hors d’oeuvres ideas. You simply can’t go wrong with these!
Vegetarian Hors D’oeuvres Ideas:
When building any type of menu, it is essential to consider dietary restrictions. Incorporating vegetarian options into your event or wedding cocktail hour offerings is a simple and considerate way of taking care of your guests. If any of your guests have other specific dietary needs, our team is always happy to accommodate them. This could mean directing them to appetizer options that meet their dietary guidelines or even making them a special plate. Check out these vegetarian options as a fantastic starting point:
- Spanakopita
Tough to pronounce, but easy to eat! This is a traditional Greek pastry filled with spinach and feta cheese in a filo dough. It’s light, flaky, and offers guests a taste of another culture that they may not have experienced before. Vegetarian guests of ours have told us they appreciated this out-of-the-ordinary appetizer option!
- Tomato Bruschetta
This option is an elegant one, perfect for any event or wedding cocktail hour menu! We start with a toasted baguette and top it with diced tomatoes, fresh herbs, olive oil, and grated parmesan cheese. It’s simple in nature, but because we use only the freshest ingredients, it’s a true bite of joy!
- Balsamic Watermelon Bites
Perfect for a spring or summer event, these are watermelon cubes topped with feta, mint, shallot blend, and balsamic glaze. Talk about refreshing and delicious!
Meat Lovers’ Hors D’oeuvres Ideas:
On the flip side, we know that there are guests who are the opposite of vegetarians: meat lovers! To give your event or wedding cocktail hour menu variety, we recommend choosing at least one vegetarian option and at least one option with meat. Here are some of our best hors d’oeuvres ideas with meat that are as hearty as they are tasty!
- Meatballs
These are our signature handmade meatballs that come with a variety of dipping sauces, including marinara, pomerey mustard, and bourbon sauce. Meatballs are a great option because they’re more filling than other appetizers and truly pack a punch! They’re enough to hold any hungry guests over while still leaving room for dinner.
- Mini BLTs
We love to put a twist on tradition around here, so this is our version of the classic BLT! Each bite features a mixture of shredded romaine, mayo, crumbled bacon, and diced tomatoes atop a toasted baguette. It’s the perfect handheld bite!
- Chicken & Waffles
We are based in Florida, so of course we had to have a Southern-inspired option on the menu! These Belgian waffles are topped with fried chicken, country gravy, and maple syrup. Both sweet and savory with the right amount of crisp and crunch, this is one of our favorite hors d’oeuvres ideas!
Event/Wedding Cocktail Hour Appetizer Displays:
So far, we’ve been sharing butler passed hors d’oeuvres ideas, but we also offer appetizer displays! One of the most popular displays we offer is the Meze Platter. This is a gourmet presentation of hummus, kalamata olives, genoa salami, herbed buffalo mozzarella balls, sliced provolone cheese, and balsamic marinated vegetables, all served with assorted crisps. It is truly a gorgeous grazing board that serves as both a delicious appetizer and an aesthetic focal point of your event/wedding cocktail hour!
We also offer a simpler version of this in the form of our Cheeses, Spreads, and Fruits platter. This is a decorated presentation of brie, blue cheese crumbles, sliced New York cheddar and Swiss cheeses with hummus and spinach dip. We compliment these with seasonal fresh fruits and assorted crisps.
Sweet Treat Hors D’oeuvres Ideas:
Any good culinary experience concludes with something sweet, which is why we offer a multitude of dessert hors d’oeuvres ideas! Here are a few of our clients’ favorites:
- Gourmet Dipped Strawberries
Nothing says elegance and luxury quite like chocolate covered strawberries! Oftentimes, these are the sweet hors d’oeuvres that run out the fastest because of how much people love them! We even take it to the next level and offer a variety of toppings for the strawberries! There’s the classic chocolate covered strawberries and white chocolate covered strawberries, but we also have chocolate nut, white chocolate oreo, and chocolate coconut.
- Bavarian Cream Berry Tarts
Light and creamy, these are flaky tart shells filled with Bavarian cream and topped with fresh berries, lemon zest, and a sweet orange glaze. These also present beautifully with their sunshine yellow color and varied berry topping!
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- Mini Gourmet Cookies
Warm, gooey cookies. Need we say more? You’ll have a choice of up to 6 different cookie flavors, ranging from chocolate chip and peanut butter to red velvet and lemon cooler. We even have gluten-free options!
Love These Hors D’oeuvres Ideas? Let’s Work Together!
John Michael Events is an experienced Orlando wedding and event caterer, specializing in serving all types of events, from weddings to social events to corporate events. We offer all-inclusive wedding packages that not only include event catering, but also the additional vendors you’ll need to throw the wedding of your dreams! Twice a quarter, we are proud to host “A Taste of John Michael,” a one-of-a-kind group tasting experience, where clients are invited to sample a variety of our delicacies.
Ready to book one of our Orlando catering packages or need more guidance on top Orlando wedding venues? Contact our team by hitting the button below. We would love to chat with you!
