Why We Think Every Wedding Should Have Canapés

After catering hundreds of weddings, there are a few things we've learnt along the way.

One of them is pretty simple: we think every wedding should have canapés.

Not just because they're delicious, although that's certainly part of it.

Canapés create an atmosphere.

They give guests something to enjoy as they settle into the celebrations, create little moments of interaction and help bring everyone together during that first part of the reception.

And perhaps most importantly, they keep everyone well fed.

The perfect start to your reception

The time between your ceremony and dinner can be one of the most enjoyable parts of the day.

The formalities are over. You've said your vows, you've had that big moment and now everyone can relax a little.

Guests are catching up with friends and family, drinks are flowing and there's usually a lot of excitement in the air.

This is where canapés really come into their own.

A tray of freshly prepared canapés making its way through a crowd has a funny way of getting people talking. Guests mingle, try something new and settle into the celebration while the rest of the evening takes shape.

It feels relaxed, social and welcoming.

They keep your guests happy

Your guests have probably had a big day too.

They may have been travelling to the venue, getting ready since early in the morning or simply running on excitement and a few drinks.

Even if dinner isn't too far away, people are generally pretty happy to see a canapé coming their way.

And while canapés aren't intended to replace dinner, they are a great way to keep guests satisfied while they enjoy cocktail hour.

Nobody wants to spend the first part of a wedding wondering when they're finally going to get something to eat.

They pair perfectly with drinks

There's a reason canapés and cocktail hour work so well together.

You've got a drink in your hand, you're catching up with someone you haven't seen in years and then a chef walks past with something delicious on a tray.

It's all part of the experience.

Whether you're serving cocktails, champagne, wine or a few beers, having food circulating gives guests something to enjoy alongside their drinks and helps create that relaxed cocktail-hour atmosphere.

They give your guests something to talk about

Food is a great conversation starter.

Particularly when it's something a little different.

A beautifully presented canapé comes around and suddenly someone's asking, “What is that?” or recommending their favourite to the person next to them.

It might seem like a small thing, but these little moments are what make a wedding feel social and connected.

Your guests aren't just waiting around for dinner. They're enjoying themselves.

They help bridge the gap between the ceremony and dinner

Wedding days don't always run to the minute.

Photos might take a little longer than expected. Guests might be enjoying themselves and taking their time getting to the reception. Speeches can run over. Or you might simply want to give everyone a generous amount of time to mingle before sitting down for dinner.

Canapés give you that flexibility.

They make that period between the ceremony and the main meal feel intentional rather than like everyone is simply waiting for the next thing to happen.

And that's particularly valuable when you're planning a relaxed wedding where you want people to have plenty of time to enjoy themselves.

They set the tone for the rest of the meal

We also love canapés because they're a little introduction to what's coming.

They're the first taste your guests get of the food you've chosen for your wedding.

They can give you the opportunity to introduce different flavours, ingredients and ideas before everyone sits down for dinner.

And when the food is thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, it sets a pretty good expectation for the rest of the meal.

So, are canapés worth it?

In our opinion, absolutely.

After catering hundreds of weddings, we've seen first-hand how much they add to the experience.

They're delicious, they keep guests comfortable and well fed, they work beautifully alongside drinks and, perhaps most importantly, they help create that feeling that the celebration has properly begun.

Because a wedding isn't just about sitting down for dinner.

It's about the conversations, the drinks, the laughter, the little moments and the people you're sharing the day with.

And canapés are a pretty great way to get all of that started.