| Weddings are all about blending families and | | | | delicious ideas for the wedding cocktail hour. |
| cultures, everything from your great-aunt's | | | | Empanadas are loved for their savory/sweet |
| wedding jewelry to your fiance's family church. | | | | combination, and the closed shape of them makes |
| Beyond wedding jewelry and the like, another | | | | them an easy food to eat while standing up. Mini |
| fantastic opportunity for mixing cultures is with | | | | tacos or chimichangas may remind the bride too |
| the wedding food. Here are some great | | | | much of sports bar food, but guess what: the |
| suggestions for an international array of wedding | | | | guys at the reception will wolf them down. Or |
| hors d'oeuvres. | | | | arrange for a Spanish tapas bar, serving all the |
| Exploring different cultures and traditions through | | | | little bites which are so popular: everything from |
| food is one of the best parts about weddings. | | | | olives, battered squid, chorizo, cured meats, |
| The foods need not be from your own cultural | | | | cheeses, and small pieces of bread. A tapas |
| background or heritage. One very modern | | | | station is an upscale addition to any wedding |
| approach to the cocktail hour is to offer guests a | | | | reception. |
| variety of appetizers from all around the globe. It | | | | French cuisine has long held a reputation as the |
| can be set up in stations, with each one | | | | pinnacle of culinary delights, and it also has many |
| representing a different region or type of cuisine. | | | | hors d'oeuvres which would be ideal for an |
| Your guests will really enjoy snacking their way | | | | international selection of appetizers. The word |
| around the world in the course of an hour or two. | | | | hors d'oeuvres itself is French, after all. There are |
| Asian food is very popular and it makes a great | | | | any number of French appetizers, ranging from |
| place to begin planning your international wedding | | | | delightful canapes to crispy cold crudites to |
| hors d'oeuvres menu. Fried wontons with little | | | | luscious cheeses served with fruit. For passed |
| dipping sauces are a sure-fire hit. Another delicious | | | | hors d'oeuvres, you might consider croutons |
| appetizer idea is tiny mu shu pancakes tied with a | | | | topped with foie gras and caviar, artichoke hearts |
| piece of scallion or other edible tidbits. Little cups | | | | filled with chicken mousse, and smoked salmon on |
| of egg drop soup will be much enjoyed by guests | | | | croutons. French cuisine also lends itself to a |
| on a cool evening. | | | | fabulous spread at a wedding reception station. |
| Greek cuisine offers many tasty appetizer options | | | | The centerpiece can be puff pastry wrapped |
| for wedding cocktail hours. You can bet that | | | | baked Brie with apricots. Other additions to the |
| guests will gobble up mini pitas stuffed with gyro | | | | station can include an assortment of French goat |
| meat, feta, and a cool cucumber sauce. Phyllo | | | | cheeses and pates with crackers. |
| dough is a favorite ingredient for Greek food, and | | | | This is only the tip of the iceberg. Your around |
| it lends itself beautifully to creating yummy hors | | | | the world appetizers stations can also include |
| d'oeuvres. Phyllo triangles filled with spinach and | | | | Japanese sushi, Italian antipasto, and maybe even |
| goat cheese are elegant and delicious, perfect for | | | | something American like comfort food (mashed |
| a passed tray of appetizers. Stuffed grape leaves | | | | potato shooters, anyone?) or soul food. |
| are another excellent addition to the cocktail hour | | | | Whichever cultures and cuisines you choose to |
| menu. | | | | represent, one thing is for sure: your guests will |
| Mexican and Spanish cuisine offer many more | | | | not leave your wedding hungry! |