Everyone has their favorite cocktail-party hors d’oeuvres, and you likely have your own. Your menu is best when it offers a range of selections including meat, seafood, vegetarian and gluten-free options, so keep that in mind when you’re picking options from that long list of delicious-sounding dishes. Since guests love the classics mixed in with creative foodie fare, here are the 10 most popular wedding appetizers reported by top chefs around New Jersey:

1. Bacon-wrapped scallops.

 

2. Caprese skewers.

3. Chicken skewers.

4. Crab cakes.

5. Mini quiches.

 

6. Pigs in a blanket.

 

7. Shrimp cocktail.

 

8. Sliders.

 

9. Spring rolls.

 

10. Stuffed mushrooms.

With your classics fulfilled, look onward at your reception menu to pick out some additional gourmet choices. Here are some tasty alternatives to consider for your hot and cold passed hors d’oeuvres:  

1. Artichoke and spinach crostini.

 

2. Bay scallop ceviche with cilantro served on a ceramic spoon.

 

3. Beef satay with spicy peanut dipping sauce.

 

4. Chicken tempura with teriyaki-chili sauce.

 

5. Coconut chicken with mango dipping sauce.

 

6. Lamb meatballs with cumin and cucumber yogurt dipping sauce.

 

7. Lobster puff pastry.

 

8. Lobster macaroni and cheese.

 

9. Maryland crab cake with rémoulade.

 

10. Miniature brie and raspberry in phyllo.

 

11. Beef tenderloin crostini.

 

12. Smoked salmon and avocado cream cheese hand roll.

Always make sure you have enough variety moving around the room. Guests do notice if there are just three options being hand-passed, and the wedding celebration starts off with raised eyebrows and disappointment. If you have to trade in something else (like an ice sculpture or one of the many dessert options) to get an extra hand-passed hors d’oeuvres or two, that’s a wise choice. It’s better to have more than enough hors d’oeuvres available than not enough.