Canapé ideas for your wedding
What is an appetiser?
As the name suggests, an appetiser is intended to whet the appetite and is usually the first of several courses in a sit-down, multiple course meal, served before the entrée course or starter. It is rare for appetisers to be served without a dinner to follow.
What is an hors d’oeuvre?
An hors d’oeuvre can be served before a sit-down meal or offered as a standalone snack at a reception or cocktail party. Hors d’oeuvres can be hot or cold and are finger foods which don’t normally require the use of cutlery.
What is a canapé?
A canapé is a common type of hors d’oeuvre that consists traditionally of a base of pastry, bread or crackers, spread with something flavoursome on which the savoury topping sits. A garnish of herbs or caviar can finish the canapé off. Today’s canapés may also have a blini (pancake) or pastry shell base.
How many canapés should you serve per person?
When serving canapés to wedding guests ahead of the wedding breakfast, 2-3 per person is sufficient as an appetiser without filling guests up ahead of the meal. Many wedding receptions feature canapés for evening guests on arrival and, where no evening meal is to be offered, 4-6 per person is ideal in the first hour, dropping to 2-4 in subsequent hours.
Canapé menu from the ALS Group
The nature and size of a canapé mean that they can be time-consuming and fiddly to prepare but at the ALS Group, our experienced catering specialists can take care of everything for you. Perfectly sized for guests to manage them in a single bite or two at the most, so they don’t have to put their drinks down, our canapés pack a punch in the flavour stakes. Our canapé menu includes both hot and cold options such as a traditional smoked salmon and cream cheese parcel or a more modern prawn blini, as well as an Indian selection with miniature samosas. If you have specific canapé menu ideas in mind for your wedding, we can work with you to create a bespoke canapé menu selection. We understand that canapés need to taste delicious and look incredible, offering guests both a visual and a culinary. To this end, we can work with you to devise a menu that will coordinate with your colours and theme.
How to serve canapés
We believe that the way you serve your canapés contributes to the success of your event and at the ALS Group, our canapés are served traditionally on silver platters that will showcase the food at its best. Liveried serving staff will mingle discreetly amongst guests, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the different options.
If you are considering serving canapés prior to your wedding breakfast, or are serving them to evening guest, contact us today to discuss the choices available. Call 01526 397995 or email us and we will be happy to help.
