Reception Trend: Late-Night Wedding Food

End a wedding reception with a delicious treat served in a stylish way.

By Amy EisingerPublished: Apr 21, 2011

If a heavier sit-down dinner was served earlier in the night, the last thing guests will want is a rich, decadent dessert. Instead, offer a sweet treat like these colorful <a href="/search/fast_search_recipes?search_term=parfait">parfaits</a>, which are just as easy on the eyes as they are to eat.

Anne Marie Photography

What's the perfect way to end a wedding reception? Surprise guests with a delicious treat served in a stylish way. Check out these trendsetting late-night wedding food ideas from TheKnot.com. Want to give guests sweets to nibble throughout the reception? Set up a cookie table.

Fruit Parfaits

Anne Marie Photography

If a heavier sit-down dinner was served earlier in the night, the last thing guests will want is a rich, decadent dessert. Instead, offer a sweet treat like these colorful parfaits, which are just as easy on the eyes as they are to eat.

Chocolate Mousse Shots

A <a href="/search/fast_search_recipes?search_term=chocolate+bar">chocolate bar</a> dipped in a <a href="/search/fast_search_recipes?search_term=whipped+mousse">whipped mousse</a> and served in a shot glass makes a sweet ending.

Stacey Kane Photography

A chocolate bar dipped in a whipped mousse and served in a shot glass makes a sweet ending.

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Whipped Cream and Espresso

A bold <a href="/search/fast_search_recipes?search_term=espresso">espresso</a> topped with <a href="/search/fast_search_recipes?search_term=whipped+cream">whipped cream</a> will get guests out of their food coma and back out on the dance floor.

Aruna B. Photography

A bold espresso topped with whipped cream will get guests out of their food coma and back out on the dance floor.

Mini Sorbet Cones

When it comes to hard-to-eat foods, go miniature. Raspberry-flavored mini <a href="/search/fast_search_recipes?search_term=sorbet">sorbet</a> cones are so much easier to handle than the original version.

Kristi Zontini/Zontini Studios

When it comes to hard-to-eat foods, go miniature. Raspberry-flavored mini sorbet cones are so much easier to handle than the original version.

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Chocolate Milkshakes

KingenSmith Productions

Leave your guests with a bit of nostalgia, by serving this childhood treat in a smaller version.

Cherry-Topped Cheesecakes

Nothing says summer quite like cherry <a href="/recipes/cooking-recipes/easy-cheesecake-clv1010">cheescake</a>, and these bite-size treats are just the thing. Cheesecake cups displayed on a doily are the perfect complement to an intimate down-home reception.

Lisa Kyle Photography

Nothing says summer quite like cherry cheescake, and these bite-size treats are just the thing. Cheesecake cups displayed on a doily are the perfect complement to an intimate down-home reception.

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Old-Fashioned Popcorn Balls

Celebrate your childhood favorites with trays of <a href="/search/fast_search_recipes?search_term=popcorn+balls">popcorn balls</a> in a variety of flavors (think: cheese, caramel, and cinnamon).

Kamp Photography

Celebrate your childhood favorites with trays of popcorn balls in a variety of flavors (think: cheese, caramel, and cinnamon).

Fast-Food French Fries

Have a guilty-pleasure food? This couple served up the groom's choice — McDonald's <a href="/search/fast_search_recipes?search_term=french+fries">French fries</a> — but you could pick any sweet or salty treat from your <a href="/cooking-shows/food-tv/top-fast-food-restaurants">favorite fast-food spot</a>.

Blaine and Bethany Photography

Have a guilty-pleasure food? This couple served up the groom's choice — McDonald's French fries — but you could pick any sweet or salty treat from your favorite fast-food spot.

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Treat-Filled Take-Out Boxes

Brad and Nicole Wolf/SOTA Dzine

We love the idea of handing out take-out boxes (complete with your monogram!) for guests to fill up and take home. Package them ahead of time or let guests pick what they want from a dessert bar.

Doughnuts and Milk

Serving up shot-size drinks with bite-size snacks is so hot right now. This couple paired mini <a href="/recipes/cooking-recipes/easy-doughnuts">doughnuts</a> with a shot of milk, but we've also seen it done with mini PB&Js, and even with small Oreos.

Sam Hughes Photography

Serving up shot-size drinks with bite-size snacks is so hot right now. This couple paired mini doughnuts with a shot of milk, but we've also seen it done with mini PB&Js, and even with small Oreos.

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