I want to talk about one of my favorite wedding trends—the late-night snack.
Image by Cotton Idea Studio via Style Me Pretty
When we started the planning process, I hadn’t really thought about a late-night snack. Hell, I don’t think I even knew what one was at that point, aside from when you stumble to the fridge and eat everything in sight after coming home from a night out. Frankly, it is the least of my concerns at this point. (Hello, hotel block! I need to book you!) However, our venue sent us their menus prior to our tasting with them, and I noticed a little section on their late-night-snack options.
Image by Anna Kuperberg via Style Me Pretty
Umm, hello?! That sounds AWESOME. Who wouldn’t want a late-night snack? I mean, you’re dancing, working up an appetite, slightly tipsy. (Who’s with me?!). Yummy snacks sound good, right?
Image by Laurel McConnel Photography via Style Me Pretty
Image by Kate Webber via Style Me Pretty
People have done everything, from simple french-fry cones and sliders to hiring a Molly Moon’s Ice-Cream or In-N-Out Burger truck (insanely awesome, by the way).
Image by Cheri Pearl Photography via Style Me Pretty
Milkshakes, root beer floats, chocolate chip cookies and milk. Tacos. Regular french fries, sweet potato fries. Onion rings. Popcorn. Cotton candy. S’mores. I could go on and on. Except I won’t because you get the idea, and I am making myself hungry. And now I want a milkshake. (Dang you, Lent!)
Image via Martha Stewart Weddings
Although maybe people will be too stuffed full of dinner and delicious cake at that point? Perhaps it is just an unnecessary expense, particularly if you have edible favors?
I’m honestly not sure. Mr. Candy Apple and I are still toying with the idea. I think ultimately it will come down to cost, as sad as that sounds. But, we’re keeping our minds open!
Image via Martha Stewart Weddings
What sorts of late-night snacks have you seen at weddings? Did you have any at your wedding? Do guests like this idea? Sweet or savory?
I’ve never been to a wedding with late-night snacks, and I think that needs to change!
I love the idea of late night snacks. I just worry that too many people would leave before it was time for them. We had several of the older people head out early so they didn’t have to drive in the dark.
I am a wedding & event coordinator for a living and that is def the new trend. This season has been ALL ABOUT pizza at the end of the night. Something WONDERFUL about the mix of that greasy pizza after all the liquor! 
We did Krispy Kreme donuts and milk shooters at ours. My wedding planner and her staff served the dance floor and circulated around the room with silver trays. And we also set out a display of the donuts on vintage cake plates and china with glassine bags for anyone who was leaving early and wanted to take one for the road!
I’ve never been to a wedding with them. I think you really need to know your guest list dynamics to make sure enough people are there ’til the wee hours to make this worth it. Especially if cost is your big factor to begin with.
We are thinking about mini Italian sandwiches and chips. Who can’t scarf on a sandwich or two (hey don’t judge) when they have been drinking all night. We always put out a late night snack when our friends come over for a night of festivities, why wouldn’t we at our wedding…..
Our venue offers mini pizzas as one of the late night snacks. Mmmm.. SO GOOD!
The best late night snack that I have experienced at a wedding was giant punch bowls filled with fun size bags of different salty snacks. Cheetos, Fritos, Doritos, Chex mix, pretzels. It was awesome because it was cost effective AND offered a variety. Not everyone’s gonna be down for a burger/pizza.
I think if I did it (when I do it, hopefully) there would be other giant punchbowls filled with ice and cans of pop/bottles of water for after the bar closes and the salty snacks make people thristy.
My cousin had pizza, but after their amazing 5 course dinner and crazy dessert station, I can tell you that only about 5 people ate pizza. To them it wasn’t a waste because it was about options, but, unless you have extra money you can’t use elsewhere, I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who has a decent menu planned.
They DO sound SO yummy though, and I feel you on Lent cramping your style. GOOD LUCk!
LOVE this idea and I’d definitely go savory. The last thing I want when I’m tipsy is sugar. Greasy sliders, fries, pizza, tacos… that is where its at
Our venue offers this too and once my fiance learned what it was, there was no way we couldn’t! (we love food a bit too much..lol) we also have to been to a wedding that did this and it was awesome! We’re doing hot wings (his fave), pizza and fries (my fave…i’ve always said, if they weren’t so bad for me, i could most likey live off of different kinds of fries..haha). :
We are kinda doing late night snacks at our wedding. Since I have been hearing alot from family and friends that they always seem to stuff themselves with the appetizers and then when dinner comes they have no more room….we decided to skip appetizers and go straight into dinner (aka ..Mexican yumminess) as soon as everyone has their first cocktail in hand. Then as the night progresses the “appetizers” will be brought out slowly to keep peoples belly’s full (and hopefully the alcohol effects to a minimum). Those late night snacks include mini tacos, mini chicken quesadillas and more We are so excited about it, and our caterer loves the idea and that she can get dinner done before having to deal with all of the finger foods.
I have never been to a wedding with snacks and not sure if we will do it but I am with Miss Palmetto, you can’t beat Krispy Kremes!
Hey Candy Apple. I have been to several weddings with late night snacks… although I looove food and can eat a LOT, I am always stuffed by that point, and from what I’ve seen, so are most other guests. Either that, or several people are gone, or are dancing and having a good time and don’t even notice the snacks. It’s definitely fun/cool… but in terms of the expense, it’s just kind of unecessary. I’m having a dessert based thing after dinner and speeches and all that… so to add another snack onto that just seemed like way too much. I don’t want people vomiting on the dance floor…. ew!
I’ve never been to a wedding with snacks but when I signed my contract with my venue, they had offered chocolate chip cookies with milk shooters as their midnight snack. I’d never even heard of a midnight snack by then (no WB in my life) but now I’m glad I did. I don’t know if all my guests will be down with it but it’s there for them
I love the idea and I am desperately trying to find a way to work late night snacks into my budget. As awesome as some of the ideas mentioned sound, they are probably out of reach for me… thinking milk and cookies.
Here’s a hint for those trying to find a way to fit the late night snack into the budget- you don’t have to include snacks for all your invites. Some people will already be gone and some won’t eat. It’s what the coordinator at our venue recommended.
My friends got married last summer and when the live band had to stop around midnight we all moved over to the campfire. The band played acoustic and we all sang along and ate beef sliders with sauteed onions. EVERYONE is still talking about it! We have the same band, but sadly no campfire at our venue. SAD FACE.
I’m a snacky person, and would love to go to a wedding with this option! Our venue also offers late-night munchies, but I don’t think it’ll fit into our budget.
We are doing demitasses of really rich hot chocolate and miniature chocolate chip cookies at 10 for a late night sendoff for our guests. I love the idea of a late night snack and am excited to do it
Mrs. Candy Apple, Princeton Junction, NJ/ Seattle, WA Age and Occupation: 26, Project Editor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Attorney Engagement Date: May 9, 2010 Wedding Date: August 2011 Venue: St. Joseph's Parish, Seattle Tennis Club About Me: I am a Pacific Northwesterner, born and bred. I have lived in many cities---Santa Clara, Durham (England); Florence; Boston; Princeton Junction---but my heart will always be nestled up near the Cascades and Olympics, which is why we are holding our wedding there. I am a bookworm and a History nerd: I love that my life consists of books, books, and more books, since I work in Publishing! Recently, all waking time not consumed by work and my daily commute has been overtaken by wedding planning. Well, that, and watching Premier-League soccer. There is nothing I love more than a good Tana French mystery, traveling to new places, Anthropologie shopping sprees, Iittala dishware, Kate Spade shoes, impeccable typefaces (think: Archer), and a nice English ale (hellooo, Old Speckled Hen!). Oh, and did I mention my obsession with wedding blogs? Yeah, there’s that too. Join Mr. Candy Apple and me as we prep for our wedding, and, more importantly, our marriage!
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