Canapé Ideas for a Summer Wedding

I think canapés are essential at a wedding as they set the scene and provide a reverend talking point, which in turn helps with the joining of two families. My top tips for choosing canapés for a summer wedding are…

Whilst keeping your selection light, fresh and clean, your canapés still need to sustain and act as a soak up too.
Make sure your canapés will hold up in 30 degrees (here’s hoping) — there’s nothing worse than a base that’s too soft.
You don’t have to serve meat canapés in the summer — I often just serve a good selection of vegetarian and fish eats.
Have fun — use combinations of Asian fusion and Mediterranean canapés, and create plenty of colour.
Make sure you order enough canapés. Summer wedding receptions may last longer as your guests relax in the sun. I’d recommend five per person.
Consider a gin and tonic sorbet or goats cheese ice cream — don’t be afraid to have savoury sorbet/ice creams.
A fabulous seafood bar on ice (in the shade) makes a great alternative to passed eats.
Supplement canapés with static nibbles to provide variety — think crudités and cheese straws.
How about ordering a whole Serrano ham on a beautiful stand with a professional Spanish carver — heavenly.

Summer Wedding Canapé Suggestions

Here are some of my favourite summer canapés…

Meat Canapés

Toasted brioche with smoked duck, aioli and raspberry ‘jam’
Japanese style radish and rare beef roll-ups

Fish Canapés

Ahi tuna with toasted black and white sesame seeds
Quail Egg Royale — smoked salmon, quail egg, brioche and hollandaise (pictured)
Scallop tartar, avocado and yuzu
Parmesan cornet, salt cod mousse and avruga

Vegetarian Canapés

Cucumber boxes filled with a fresh salad of feta, mint and parsley, topped with shiso cress
Tea marbled quail eggs with smoked paprika and herb mayonnaise
Ricotta cake with slow roast tomatoes and basil
Chilled watercress and honey soup with pumpkin seed toast