5 Fun Eco-Friendly Appetizers

Guest blogger: Kate Harrison, creator of greenbrideguide.com [1].
After planning her own green wedding in 2007, Kate wrote the best-selling green wedding book, The Green Bride Guide: How to Plan an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget (Sourcebooks, 2008). In 2009, she founded greenbrideguide.com to help couples use their weddings to promote social and environmental change while supporting the local green economy. Kate has a JD in Environmental Law and a Master's from Yale in Environmental Policy.

Spring wedding appetizers come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Springtime is also nature's bounty, which means your local outdoor farmer's markets are back in full swing, and more seasonal meats, fruits, and vegetables are now at their peak. Shop organic, local, and in-season, and you'll have a large choice of appetizers. Try to conserve resources by serving smaller portions, or try new food presentation with your green caterer by using unique vessels for your foods (think stuffed cucumber cups or lettuce wraps). Wooden cutlery [2] and compostable plates [3], cups [4] and bowls [5] can complete your ultimate green spring wedding appetizer spread.

1. A Sweet or Savory Spoonful
Foods presented on a spoon are trendy and eco-chic. Some caterers even offer edible spoons made of bread — delicious and zero waste! You can serve spoon appetizers chilled, warm, or even in dessert form.
Photo Credit: Pacific Weddings [6]

2. El Guapo Gazpacho
A great gazpacho can be both refreshing and savory at the same time. Taste test before the wedding with your caterer and see if you want a little spice or a milder flavor. Entice your guests with naturally colorful garnishes served in chilled shot glasses. You can include red and yellow tomatoes, zucchini strips, or vibrant edible flowers.

Photo Credit: Lifegoesstrong [7]

3. Lovely Lettuce Wraps
Over-stuffed lettuce wraps can be hearty, crisp, and fresh. Try in meat or vegetarian form with fresh fruit and spicy salsa. This is another way to contain the food, making it easy to pick up and walk around without spilling. Plus, you won't have to use an extra paper plate in the process.

Photo Credit: Chicken Mango Lettuce Wrap, SimplyRecipes [8]

4. Sustainable Spuds
By the time your wedding ceremony is over and the cocktail hour is upon you, your guests are usually starving — and, chances are, so are you. Fill up on some delicious organic carbohydrates, like stuffed potatoes. These can be topped with a variety of garnishes such as chives, bacon, cheese, horseradish, and more.

Photo Credit: MyBakingAddiction [9]

5. Seasonal Meatballs and Herbs with Dipping Sauce
Lamb is seasonal in many regions in spring. It's a lighter, classic twist on an old favorite — the meatball. Caterers can create an excellent cool and refreshing tzatziki sauce for dipping, with fresh local mint leaves for added flavor.

Photo Credit: Inamoodforfood [10]

No matter what you choose for your green appetizers, make sure there is plenty to go around and lots of variety to satisfy the pickiest guest. For more food and dessert ideas, visit the Food, Beverage and Bakery Section [11] of our Learn and Plan page.

—Kate Harrison