When it comes to impressing your guests on wedding day, delicious food is one of the fastest ways to everyone’s hearts! “Offering fun food experiences” made the list as one of our fastest-growing wedding trends of the year, and late-night snacks, in particular, have been very popular amongst our couples at the Lightner Museum.
Late-night snacks are not only a great way to refuel after spending some time on the dance floor, but they’re also a fun way to inject some of your personality into your wedding reception. Many couples even report that savory late-night options disappeared faster than their wedding cake!
If you’re looking for ideas for tempting treats or gourmet goodies, here are 16 late-night wedding snacks that are sure to please.
1. Popcorn
Popcorn is a crowd-pleaser (and one of the most affordable ways to feed a large crowd). Add to the fun by offering multiple flavors—such as caramel, cheese, or kettle corn—or a variety of seasonings so guests can customize their own. Serve it up in a customized popcorn box and get the party “popping!”
Meghna and Kinnaresh’s popcorn station | Photo: Concept Photography
2. Soft Pretzels
Soft pretzels are a guaranteed hit at any event, so why not offer them as a late-night wedding snack?
Feel free to serve up the traditional twist, but keep in mind that bite-sized pretzel nuggets are just as delicious. Spice things up with some mustard or beer cheese for the perfect “Oktoberfest” vibe.
Kaylen and Scott offered pretzels as their late-night snack | Photo: Bow Tie Photos
3. Grilled Cheese
No matter your age, grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Thankfully, there are plenty of gourmet versions that are welcome at any wedding reception.
An interactive grilled cheese station with a variety of toppings (such as tomatoes, bacon, and deli meat) allows guests to recreate a favorite flavor combo—or find a new one. Or you can simply go with a classic grilled cheese served alongside a tomato soup shooter.
Grilled cheese was the late-night snack of choice at Kristin and Drew’s wedding | Photo: Bethany Walter Photography
4. Pizza
Guests at the Lightner Museum are always thrilled with a late-night pizza delivery! Ask the pizzeria to cut each pie into smaller pieces to accommodate guests who may only want a taste.
For a more upscale option, talk to your caterer about putting out a variety of gourmet flatbreads.
Guests couldn’t get enough of the pizza at Bri and Dane’s wedding | Photo: We Are The Bowsers
5. Sliders
Hearty, delicious, and easy to eat, this classic game-day food makes the perfect late-night wedding snack. Since the filling choices are endless, you can find a slider to suit any flavor palette or offer multiple different options.
Consider flavors like pulled pork, miniature burgers, chicken sandwiches, or mini Cubans for an homage to Florida’s local culture.
Sliders were served up at Karlee and Devin’s wedding | Photo: Life & Love Studio
6. Tacos
Whether you prefer them hard, soft, spicy, or mild, there are few foods as universally beloved as tacos.
Serve up a selection of mini tacos in a variety of flavors—beef, chicken, fish, or vegetarian—alongside plenty of mouthwatering toppings and salsas.
Tacos and Mountain Dew were a total win at Julianne and Kyle’s wedding | Photo: C & C Photo and Video
7. French Fries
Ask your caterer about setting up a French fry bar with an assortment of toppings and seasonings. Fries are such an easy grab-and-go snack that allows everyone to grab a bite and get back on the dance floor!
French fry late-night snack inspiration via The Knot | Photo: Megan Clouse Photography
8. Chicken and Waffles
Chicken and waffles are an exciting addition to any wedding reception. The combination of soft, pillowy waffles and crispy fried chicken creates the perfect snack for guests who are craving something sweet as well as savory.
Keep mess to a minimum with a one-bite skewer or slider that guests can eat on the go.
Everyone was obsessed with Christa and Anthony’s chicken and waffles, which were served as an alternative to cake. | Photo: Sara Purdy Photography
9. Chicken Nuggets, Tenders, or Wings
This irresistible snack is the perfect, fuss-free choice for keeping the energy up and the party going! Make sure to offer lots of sauces and flavors along with your chicken of choice—from honey mustard to classic BBQ or tangy parmesan garlic—there’s a flavor to delight every palate.
Chick-fil-A Nuggets are always a crowd-pleaser. | Photo: Josh Haltam Photography
10. Ramen Noodles
Anyone who has ever been a college student will tell you that ramen noodles are a late-night snack staple! Why not offer them up at your wedding? Work with your caterer to have hot water and toppings available to create a bar with all of your favorite noodle brands.
Hopeless Ramen-tics Haley and Tuong-Vi’s ramen bar was a fun surprise for guests. | Photo: Audrey Darke Photography
11. Fast Food
Bring the drive-thru to you! Have your favorite fast food option delivered to your wedding venue as a late-night snack surprise.
At the Lightner Museum, popular options are Chick-fil-A (sandwiches or nuggets), Taco Bell, McDonald’s, and pizza from one of many local options.
Chelsea and Mitch opted for Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches for their late-night snack | Photo: Walls of Jerico
12. Donuts
From classic glazed to cinnamon sugar and everything in between, donuts are an easy (and portable!) dessert that everyone will love.
Display them on a donut wall or stack donut holes into a tower for a sweet treat that’s sure to impress. Chef’s Garden, one of our preferred caterers, even offers “flaming donuts,” where donut holes are swirled in a flavorful sauce and set aflame.
Flaming donuts from Chef’s Garden were a hit at Katie and William’s wedding. | Photo: Lyndsey Anne Photo
13. Ice Cream
This crowd-pleasing treat can safely satisfy any sweet tooth, and there are plenty of dairy-free options to accommodate your guests’ dietary needs.
Set up a selection of “grab and go” frozen treats (such as ice cream sandwiches) for a twist on the classic ice cream. For a more personalized touch, offer a full ice cream cart, complete with multiple flavors and all the toppings.
Brianna and Zachary had an ice cream cart at their wedding featuring Kilwins Ice Cream, a local St. Augustine favorite. | Photo: Bow Tie Photo
14. Milk and Cookies
Whether you have kids in attendance or not, milk and cookies are a fun way to cap off the evening and get everyone ready for bed.
Order a cookie platter from a local bakery, like Crème de la Cocoa or Sweet Weddings Cake Designs. If you’re serving cookies, milk is a must! Serve it in mini bottles with colorful straws that match your wedding color palette.
Chocolate chip cookies served with milk are always a classic choice. | Photo: Brooke Images
15. S’mores
Elevate this campfire classic by offering a create-your-own s’mores bar, where guests can create their own late-night snack. Consider offering different candies in addition to the classic chocolate, like Reese’s cups and Hershey’s Cookies ‘n Cream, to allow your guests to discover a new flavor combination.
*Note: Whenever open flames are involved, you’ll want to make sure an attendant is watching at all times! At the Lightner Museum, we require that a s’mores station be provided by one of our preferred caterers.
Teagan and Chandler’s create-your-own S’mores Bar | Photo: Angelita Esparar Photography
16. Popsicles
Popsicles are the ideal way to cool off at a summer wedding and get some much-needed hydration after dancing the night away. Fortunately, this sweet, frozen treat has come a long way from the versions you favored as a kid.
Here in St. Augustine, The Hyppo will bring a popsicle cart to your event, filled to the brim with gourmet popsicles. Enjoy classic flavors like strawberry and raspberry along with more unique options, such as blackberry goat cheese and key lime.
Popsicle cart from The Hyppo in St. Augustine. | Photo: Brooke Images
Don’t Forget the Late Night Drinks!
Offering a selection of special drinks that pair well with your late-night wedding snacks can add a memorable touch to your wedding reception.
A coffee bar or cart puts a fun twist on traditional coffee service. During the fall or winter, an apple cider or hot chocolate bar will keep your guests feeling warm and cozy.
Your wedding bar can also include specialty drinks, like an Espresso Martini, that can be served later in the evening. As an alternative, our specialty cordial bar is the perfect accompaniment to any wedding dessert!
Sarah and Maxwell served up Espresso Martinis at their wedding. | Photo: Coronado Photo and Film
Tips For Serving Late-Night Wedding Snacks
If you’re having trouble deciding which late-night wedding snacks to serve, here are some tips to keep in mind to make sure that everyone leaves satisfied.
First, try to keep snacks bite-sized, so they’re easy to eat when standing or dancing. By the time dinner service is finished, most guests want to be out on the dance floor.
Second, remember that savory options are often more popular than sweet, but many couples offer both. Not everyone enjoys cake, so having a wedding cake alternative will ensure that everyone is happy.
If you’re still having trouble deciding, reach out to your caterers to see what they offer. They may have a late-night snack option you hadn’t considered!
Finally, consider when you want your late-night wedding snacks served. Most of our couples bring out the extra nibbles one or two hours before their last dance, while others package them to give to guests as they are leaving.
Love Is Sweet!
Late-night wedding snacks offer a delightful way to satisfy cravings and keep the party atmosphere alive. Remember, the key to a memorable late-night snack is not just its taste but how it fits into the overall experience of your special day.
So, as you plan your wedding, consider these nibbles not just as food, but as an integral part of your celebration’s story, ensuring your night ends on a high note filled with flavor, fun, and festivity.
