Casual bridal shower food ideas, please

11 years ago

My 2 daughters are giving their sister a bridal shower in a couple of weeks. It is on a Saturday from 10-12 so they would like to serve the quests food at the end. Because of the time, they do not want to send the quests home hungry. It will be a very casual setting and they, of course, do not want to serve a large meal. I told them I would ask on this forum. Any suggestions for snacks or appetizers for the occasion? They will have a cake for serving after food is served. Thank you so much in advance for any suggestions.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

linda_in_iowa
11 years ago
Sandwiches, cold quiche, soup in a crockpot. anything that can be made ahead of time.
Oakley
11 years ago
Finger sandwiches are always appreciated. If they don't want to do homemade, they can buy pre-made meatballs and cook them in a bbq sauce to be used with toothpicks. Same with Little Smokies.

Veggie trays are also good to snack on. They can make their own or buy them already made.
Related Discussions
Appropriate for bridal shower at the mother of the bride's house?
Q
Comments (28)
Perhaps the difference between "couple shower" and "couples shower" is a matter of the ear.....they sound very much the same.....actually it's a lot more difficult to say "couples shower"....so the error was likely mine. And also men are invited....both men who are part of a "couple" and single men friends....with or without a date. Anyhow I think it's a lovely custom....the party given fro my daughter at a friends house on a lovely summer evening, featured jugs of wine set in ice filled copper boilers around the yard and the deck, and similar onef filled with beer. Dinner was a chicken casserole...probably a salad and rolls....don't remember dessert but if I know the friends who gave the shower, probably wedding cake. There were about 80 people invited and each couple was asked to contribute a small amount and the hostesses bought a lovely Wallace silver coffee service. tray coffee pot, tea pot, cream and sugar. It sits on my daughter's buffet server and is used for Christmas Easter, Birthdays and other occasions I am sure. I don't know how the custom got started but it's been the custom among my circle of friends. I have given several, one time it was a back yard hamburger cook out and the gift was a very nice grill, another time it was a fancy cocktail buffet for 80 people ( my house was bursting!) and the gift was the bride's china...not all of it but a couple of place settings of Lenox, another time we did a garden party with oven fried chicken potato salad, beans slaw and strawberry shortcake and the gift was a piece of antique oak furniture. All the parties were given by 2 ior 3 couples and we did all the cooking. We had lots of fun! Linda C
...See More
Bridal shower - etiquette
Q
Comments (15)
I was just curious as to how it's done in other areas. Here it's typical for the maid of honor to take care of it or the Mom. I just typed a big long thing but I'll attempt to shorten. BIL is getting married this summer. Future SIL I'll call *Maggie* has three bridesmaids (me being one of them) and the maid of honor. MOH is her (only) friend, of course I'm the future SIL and the other two are actually the wives of BIL's friends. None of us know each other well. They had a gathering shortly after we were all asked so we could meet. We've been emailing details back and forth about the bridal shower. I (we - DH too) can only be around Maggie in small doses. She has a I'm better than you attitude, etc. and sucks so far up MIL's rump when she's around it makes me want to gag. We've paid for all the normal stuff but this shower is costing lots of money. I guess the MOH shouldn't have to pay for it herself. My best friend and Mom paid for mine. My MOH (sister) was living across the country at the time. IMO, Maggie's Mom wants to be so involved (another long story)how about she participate somehow in this shower. MOH wants to do a "special bridesmaid gift". So now I get to pay for a bridal shower gift, special gift, wedding $$$ gift. Oh, don't forget the bachelorette party! MOH suggested we pack it up and head to the beach. Um, no thank you. I would feel different if we were all great friends. If I'm going to pay to go on vacation I'll go with DH. Money doesn't grow on trees in my backyard. Games? Oh can't wait. Maggie picked them out too. Nothing like a good surprise. In the end we'll all keep our mouths shut, smile, and it will turn out fine. :)
...See More
Warm chicken salad for a bridal shower
Q
Comments (14)
Just another idea. If a cold chicken salad would be okay, this one is fabulous! Chicken Salad Ina Garten (posted 8/09 by Annova) 2 split (1 whole) chicken breasts, bone in, skin on (1-1/2 lbs) Good olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup pecan halves 1/2 cup walnut halves 1/2 cup good mayonnaise 1/2 cup sour cream 1 Tbsp chopped fresh tarragon leaves, divided 1 cup green grapes, cut in 1/2 Lettuce leaves, for serving Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place chicken breasts, skin side up, on a baking sheet and rub them with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35-40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Set aside until cool. When the chicken is cool, remove meat from the bones and discard the skin and bones. Cut the chicken into a 3/4" dice. Meanwhile, place the pecans and walnuts on a separate sheet pan and toast in the oven for 7 to 8 minutes until golden. Set aside to cool. For the dressing, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, 2 teaspoons* salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Fold in half the chopped tarragon leaves. Place the diced chicken in a bowl, add the pecans, walnuts and grapes. Pour the dressing over the chicken and toss well. Sprinkle the remaining chopped taragon leaves on top and serve on a bed of lettuce leaves. Annova's note: *Be careful with the salt. Some people think this is way too much. I added whatever I thought I needed as I went along. Linda
...See More
Help with bridal shower
Q
Comments (60)
I can see both sides of the favor/no favor discussion.. I think it is nice to offer a thoughtful small gift to guests of a shower. Not all gatherings-- but a shower, yes. What is considered "nice" or "thoughtful" will vary greatly by region, age group, personality of the bride/mother-to-be, and personality of the event... so my recommendation is to do them if you have a good idea that seems to have wide appeal. Skip it if you don't. I just wouldn't fret over it. A number of years ago, I hosted a baby shower with a sweet pea theme. It was an outdoor buffet with no place settings so I setup a basket full of sweetpea seed packets as favors for guests. It helped decorate a table.. and it fit the event... and guests loved it. I don't like chocolate (and I especially don't like m&m's) but I know a number of grown women (and men) who would tear into a gift of m&m's. A number of our small little chocolate shops and bakeries will do little boxes that I'd absolutely use as favors for an event with a sit-down meal. I would not give any kind of decor item-- or anything that costs more than $5-$7/person.
...See More
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
11 years ago
Something that is SO easy, yet very special is to make a batch or two of cream puffs and fill them with chicken or turkey or ham or shrimp salad. You can make the pastries on the petite side so that they are easy finger food. They are easy easy to make.
susanjf_gw
11 years ago
do you have a costco or sams? both offer trays, and probably less than to make..and the cakes arn't bad either...
Fun2BHere
11 years ago
The easiest thing is one platter with cubed cheese and rolled up sandwich meat with a basket of crackers, one platter with vegetables and ranch dip, and a bowl of strawberries. All can be prepared before the event and all can be eaten without utensils. It's not a particularly creative selection, but it's quick, easy and there's something to eat for every dietary profile.
patti43
11 years ago
Since it's a casual affair, small sandwiches like chicken salad, egg salad, pimento cheese and tuna salad served on dinner-sized rolls and a few salads like broccoli salad, potato salad or a family favorite and a relish tray with olives, pickles and vegetables would be good. I love the idea of a big bowl of strawberries, which would be good served with this dip:

Dip for Strawberries

1 - 7-oz. jar marshmallow creme
1 - 8 oz. cream cheese, softened

Mix together and chill.

Serving things in/on pretty dishes will make the food look more festive. Hope you have a great time at the shower.

Need any punch recipes or do you have other plans for drinks? I'm sure lots of KT'ers have good punch recipes.
lydia1959
11 years ago
I've made the fruit dip that Patti posted, but used Strawberry flavored cream cheese. It went over quite well!

Allrecipes.com is my favorite recipe site... below I've linked the top 20 appetizers. You may find something in there that you'd like. A similar Marshmallow/cream cheese recipe is among them!

Here is a link that might be useful: all recipes top 20 appetizers
glenda_al
11 years ago
I recommend chocolate punch!

Ingredients:
Ã¢ÂÂ¢

4 oz semisweet chocolate
Ã¢ÂÂ¢
1/2 cup sugar
Ã¢ÂÂ¢
2 cups hot water
Ã¢ÂÂ¢
2 quarts milk
Ã¢ÂÂ¢
2 tsp vanilla extract
Ã¢ÂÂ¢
1 quart vanilla ice cream
Ã¢ÂÂ¢
1 quart club soda

Preparation:
Finely chop the semisweet chocolate, for easier melting. Add to water along with the sugar, in a large saucepan. Heat the chocolate mixture until just boiling. Stir constantly to keep it smooth.
When everything is melted and blended, add milk and keep heating until it's warmed right through. Beat in vanilla extract with a whisk. Remove from heat and let cool down to room temperature.

Put in the fridge until thoroughly chilled. When you are ready to serve, scoop ice cream into a punch bowl and pour the chocolate mix over top. Add sparkling club soda right before serving this chocolate punch.
Serves 12
Georgysmom
11 years ago
Personally, I would rather make something like a hot chicken salad, some rolls and maybe a tossed salad than a bunch of finger foods. It's much easier to mix everything up, put in a 9 x 13 and just pop in the oven at the appropriate time.
ruthieg__tx
11 years ago
meatballs..yuk so over done.

.fingersandwiches...yes overdone but still good and still filling..
. I've seen the costco trays they are very nice....If you don't want to go to that expense, depending on the number they can get expensive just have a look at them and do something like that...

went to an open house and they had an array of sandwiches and sliders made on little small deli rolls, looked beautiful and tasted just as great... hostess made them herself...mixed meats and coldcuts...with condiments

people like lighter fare....so overdone are the veggie trays but that is what people are eating....
kathyg_in_mi
11 years ago
Pulled pork is easy and yummy.
cjacker
Original Author
11 years ago
Oh my goodness, I am thrilled with all the ideas you have given me. I am sure they will come up with a great casual lunch with all this help. Thank you so much.
Glenda, the punch sounds awesome and I have never heard of it before. I will have to try it out and see what we think. Being a chocolate junky, I am sure I will love it.

Casual bridal shower food ideas, please

Comments (12)

linda_in_iowa

Oakley

Related Discussions

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

susanjf_gw

Fun2BHere

patti43

lydia1959

glenda_al

Georgysmom

ruthieg__tx

kathyg_in_mi

cjacker
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Casual bridal shower food ideas, please

Comments (12)

Related Discussions

cjackerOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

cjacker
Original Author