26 Delicious Bites to Serve at Your Bridal Shower (2024)

Rather than serving a full-fledged breakfast, lunch, or dinner at your bridal shower, make like many hosts and provide an assortment of appetizers, desserts, and drinks for your guests to enjoy as they celebrate the bride-to-be. Finger foods are a staple at these events because they're easy to eat while mingling and participating in other activities, like games. They're also less expensive than a formal meal—and are usually easier to DIY.

There are tons of small, simple, and creative options for bridal shower fare. You can settle on comfort food, offer refined, tea party-worthy treats, give your cuisine a cultural spin, or whatever else you (and the bride) want. For a truly unique carte du jour, provide a variety of refreshments (this also makes your party friendlier to different palates, diets, and allergies). Here, we've gathered more than two dozen delicious small-plate ideas to whet your appetite for the big day.

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Waffles

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Enhance the fluffy breakfast food with fruit, nuts, syrup, whipped cream, or whatever else your heart desires. A brunch shower with a topping bar sounds like a genius idea to us.

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Macarons

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Bite-size and oh so sweet, macarons stacked on your bridal shower spread ensures guests will be delighted. And it's something a strong baker could easily DIY—the mother of the bride actually made the delicious treats shown here.

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Arancini

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Creatively served, gourmet crispy fennel and leek arancini is a unique option for any bridal shower. Guests will love picking the savory balls of rice from a branch.

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Watermelon and Feta

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Part salty, part sweet, these refreshing appetizers are great for a summertime shower.

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Deviled Eggs

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Deviled eggs are a party (and shower) classic. Give yours extra flavor with fun seasonings like sumac and Aleppo pepper.

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Assorted Sweets

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Salted caramel cheesecake bites, mini puffed pastries, and colorful macarons make for great bridal shower finger food.

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Sautéed Shrimp

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Sautéed shrimp with mint butter in orange sauce offers just the right amount of fresh, summery ingredients ideal for a warm-weather bridal shower.

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Root Vegetables

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Chefs at Beach Plum Farm created this root vegetable mixture as a side dish. Light fare like this is great for a daytime shower.

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Donuts

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Who doesn't love a donut wall? This setup offers a sweet treat guests can grab themselves, and doubles as a photo opp.

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Pizza

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It's hard to find someone who won't indulge in a slice of this comfort food. If ordering from a pizza joint feels too casual, make special pies with unique toppings yourself, or ask your caterer to whip up an array of options for guests.

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Pulled Chicken Nachos

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Guests can snack on pulled chicken and pork nachos before the bridal shower festivities begin.

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Elevated Sliders

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Cru Catering provided a menu of passed appetizers, including mini braised pork biscuits with bourbon-peach jam for this event. Mini bites are ideal if you want guests to try a little bit of everything.

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Mini Pizzas

Modern Art Catering created these tiny, arugula-topped pizzas for an added twist.

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Caprese Bites

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Tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and balsamic are all you need to make these one-bite snacks.

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Wraps

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Sandwich platters are popular choices, too. Make yours unique by offering less-common options, like chickpea shawarma wraps.

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Caviar Rings

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These fancy treats (made of cracker rings topped with caviar) will be a cute nod to the bride's engagement.

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Soft Pretzels

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Need proof that these carnival classics are easy to DIY? The ones pictured were made by a friend of the bride and groom.

See More of Our Favorite Carnival Food Ideas for Wedding-Related Events

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Crab Cakes

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These hearty crab cakes, provided by Montage Palmetto Bluff, were topped with a tartar sauce aioli for an elegant twist on a classic. Serve them in mini size for an appetizer or alongside a salad for a brunch or lunch entrée.

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Fried Chicken

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Don't be shy about greasy fingers—the best foods leave a mark! Just be sure to provide plenty of napkins so guests don't ruin their party attire.

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Welsh Rarebit

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Never heard of this cheesy treat? It's time to read up. Claire Thomas made this version by combining grated cheddar cheese, eggs, paprika, dried mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and pale ale, then spreading the mixture over bread. Broil the snack until golden brown to make it look as mouthwatering as it tastes.

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Steak Bites

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A sit-down meal with a main dish of steak would cost a pretty penny. Stay on budget by serving small pieces of quality meat on skewers.

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Mac-and-Cheese Bites

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For a healthier take on fried mac-and-cheese balls, put out small scoops of the noodle dish instead.

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Oysters

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Oysters XO supplied these passed oysters, and servers walked around shucking the shellfish for guests.

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Devils on Horseback

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These hors d'oeuvres were put together by wrapping dates and goat cheese in bacon.

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Pitas and Hummus

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Chips and guac are yummy for sure, but so is this Mediterranean alternative.

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Baby Greek Salads

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When filled with sample-size portions, disposable paper cups suddenly seem cool. Try serving mini salads (we like Greek) in them.

26 Delicious Bites to Serve at Your Bridal Shower (2024)

FAQs

What food should you serve at a bridal shower? ›

The bridal shower food you serve should reflect the bride's personality and preferences, whether she loves goat cheese, fresh fruit, sweet treats, or savory bite-size appetizers and snacks. You may serve a sit-down meal or opt for an assortment of hors d'oeuvres and finger sandwiches for a casual atmosphere.

What are the most popular finger foods for parties? ›

Some of my favorites: Deviled eggs, bruschetta, crackers with cheese and dried salami, artichoke & spinach dip with tortilla chips, stuffed mushrooms, mini-spanakopita, Chinese dumplings. What are some tasty but easy to make snacks or appetizers that don't involve any cooking? Salami cheese wraps.

What is the best appetizer for a bridal shower? ›

Finger sandwiches: Sandwiches made with a variety of fillings, such as cucumber and cream cheese, chicken salad, or egg salad, are a classic choice for a bridal shower. Appetizers: Small bites, such as bruschetta, mini quiches, or cheese and fruit platters, are another popular option.

Who traditionally pays for the bridal shower? ›

Those who are hosting the shower are responsible for paying for the shower costs. This might include venue costs, the hosts' gifts, decorations, food, beverages, and other event expenses.

Who pays for food at bridal shower? ›

The food and drinks

A potluck-themed bridal shower will ensure you and your guests enjoy an undoubtedly tasty variety of foods to sample and savor, all while reducing your catering costs. However, many showers rely on the host to take care of the spread of delectable delights for bridal shower guests.

How much finger food for 25 guests? ›

Quantity. A good rule of thumb when working with your caterer on just how many hors d'oeuvres to choose is as follows: for 10 – 12 guests a minimum of 5 selections, 25 guests a minimum of 9 selections and for 50 guests, a minimum of 13 selections.

How do you make a bridal shower not boring? ›

Go Somewhere Unique. You're not obligated to sit on the back patio or stake out your parents' country club. Head to a pasta-making class, boozy art class, vineyard, brewery, salon, beach or gorgeous restaurant to spice things up and make your shower feel extra special (and worth the trip for any out-of-town friends).

How many appetizers per person for shower? ›

Plan for four to six appetizers per person, per hour. Be sure to stock up on ready-to-serve items such as charcuterie, nuts, pretzels, and olives so guests can munch on these items as soon as they arrive before the appetizers are served.

Is there a cake at a bridal shower? ›

This occasion often has a menu full of hors d'oeuvres, delicious bites, and yummy desserts. If you want to end the celebration with a show-stopping treat for guests to enjoy, you can also serve a bridal shower cake as a final sweet touch to the day.

How do I make my bride feel special in the shower? ›

For example, you could serve up her favorite foods and signature drink, decorate in (or wear) her favorite color or reference a film or book she loves in the theme and décor. It's a fun way to make the bride feel extra special on her big day.

Do bridal showers usually have food? ›

Every unforgettable bridal shower has one thing in common: lots and lots of food. Finger food is pretty much always expected at a bridal shower, and there are lots of ways to have fun with it. For example, incorporate your bridal shower theme into the food you provide for your guests.

How much should you spend on food for a bridal shower? ›

For example, a buffet-style catering service would cost less than plated meals. However, you'll need to spend more at a bridal shower if you want guests to have the best experience. A budget of $30 to $100 per person is reasonable.

Do you have to serve a meal at a bridal shower? ›

You can offer a full-service meal if you'd like, though it's not required. If you're hosting the bridal shower at a local restaurant, they may offer food and drink packages specifically for events.

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