Just imagine: melty, cheesy goodness, crunchy crust, toppings galore and fresh-from-the-oven taste. Your mouth is watering, and your taste buds are ready to devour a slice — or three — of pizza. But pizza for late-night Friday nights and parties is not the only reason to order a few delectable pies.

Whether in the form of food or décor, brides and grooms across the United States are increasingly incorporating pizza into their special day, and it has become a growing trend. Weddings often follow tradition with particular hors-d’oeuvres and reception food like chicken, salmon and salads. However, if you decide you want to break from conventional practices and try something different, pizza can be a fun and creative idea — not to mention delicious and cheesy for all guests to enjoy.

You have the freedom to infuse a variety of pizza options into your wedding’s food selection, and it’s also an alternative to expensive catering fees. Whether you are planning a low-key ceremony with close family and friends, or one with more elegance and hundreds of guests, you can integrate pizza into either style of wedding with a few unique touches. For example, pizza can be the central theme of your venue, or you can incorporate subtle hints of pizza using catering or décor techniques.

It’s no secret the cost of planning a wedding has risen each year, and will most likely continue to do so. The average price of a wedding is $35,000 in the United States, and that number doesn’t include the cost of your honeymoon. Food expenses can be a major part of that final bill. Couples are increasingly looking for ways to reduce their wedding budget. If you want to break from conventional practices and prices, pizza can be a fun and creative idea.

While classic menus may not be what everyone is craving, wedding pizza can offer hundreds of toppings and styles. Go with a pizza wedding reception and make memories that last.

Why Have a Wedding Pizza Bar?

With social media making weddings more publicized than ever, it’s hard to resist the extravagance you see all over your feed. But big, elaborate weddings come with even bigger price tags. Pizza offers a unique opportunity if you want to tighten up your budget while making your wedding stand out. Wedding pizza is:

• Budget-friendly: Pizza offers a cost-effective alternative to expensive wedding catering. With the average catering cost hitting $80 per wedding guest, opting for pizza can significantly reduce expenses without skipping out on taste.
• Customizable: Pizza’s versatility makes it easy to meet different dietary needs. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available at many pizza shops. With pizza, you ensure every guest gets a slice tailored to their preferences:
• Interactive: Incorporating a DIY pizza bar or live pizza station makes your reception more engaging. Guests can personalize pizzas and laugh over their unique creations.
• Memorable: Serving pizza stands out from traditional wedding food. Give your wedding a stand out, relaxed atmosphere that guests will love to remember.

How Pizza Makes the Perfect Late-Night Snack for Any Wedding

Pizza is more than just a casual grab — it’s surprisingly versatile. You can fit it into any wedding atmosphere with a little creativity. For formal events, consider gourmet pizzas with artisan toppings. Elegant flatbreads and tableware can add a touch of sophistication to your meal. Hosting an outdoor wedding? A pizza truck or wood-fired oven adds charm. Whether you’re looking for laid-back fun or black-tie events, pizza can bring life to your late-night wedding events.

Consider using pizza as a late-night snack if you’re already set on a main meal. As the evening winds down, guests are bound to get hungry again. A late-night pizza station or service is a crowd-pleaser that keeps the party going. Deep-dish slices are a great way to bring energy back to the floor. Pizza encourages mingling and prevents guests from dipping out early due to hunger.

Creative Pizza Wedding Ideas

The average American eats pizza three times a month — that’s 180 slices a year. With so many pizza lovers worldwide, why not add the perennial crowd-pleaser to your menu? Pizza is perfect for all events. Serve it upscale or relaxed to fit your wedding crew. With a straightforward order, you can have a stack of pies that meet everyone’s tastes.

Here are some ideas for wedding reception pizza that will knock your guests’ socks off:

1. Rent a pizza truck for your rehearsal dinner: Comfort food is always a big hit for hungry people in your wedding party. As a great way to relax after nailing each step, eating a few slices will keep your party in good spirits and ready for the next day. You can either make an entire night out of the pizza-themed rehearsal dinner by renting a pizza truck, or by offering pies as people are heading home for the night.
2. Eat pizza while you get ready: As the bride and groom are putting on makeup, fixing their hair, tying their tie and putting on their gown, nothing calms jittery nerves like a piece of pizza topped with your favorite things. But, of course, don’t spill any sauce on your dress or suit!
3. Go with a tiered pizza cake: Yes — that’s right. If you are not a fan of classic wedding cakes and want to make a cheesy statement, choose a tiered cake made of the most delectable pizza. It’s becoming a popular trend for couples who don’t particularly enjoy cake to begin with, and is the perfect way to start off a fun evening.
4. Serve pizza during cocktail hour: Cocktail hour doesn’t always require fancy hors d’oeuvres. Serving formal finger food is a thing of the past when you can eat bite-sized pizzas.
5. Incorporate a reception buffet: A buffet gives you the opportunity to design a self-serve pizza wedding bar where you can offer gourmet flavors. For example, you can include ricotta and honey, berry, arugula and prosciutto, butternut squash and sage, hummus and grilled zucchini — and of course, classic cheese and pepperoni. You can even have a pizza shaped like a heart if you so desire.
6. Include a kids’ table for pizza making: Kids can often become antsy during a reception, so let them customize their own pizza! As a more exciting option than coloring books or having their parents watch them, children can entertain themselves and get creative at their pizza-making station.
7. Have a DIY pizza bar: Children aren’t the only ones who like to have fun and get their hands dirty. Allow your guests to pick their toppings, cheese and sauce as a main dish or continuous choice throughout the night. Some may be meat lovers, while others may prefer veggies. Either way, your guests will appreciate eating their unique pizza creations.
8. Offer made-to-order eats: Hiring a pizzeria to set up shop in your reception area will give people the freedom to customize pizzas without getting their hands dirty. If you hire a pizza caterer, they will come prepared with all the necessary equipment and food.
9. Bring your own pizza potluck: This suggestion may be ideal for smaller parties and those who are obsessed with pizza. A pitch-in dinner is similar to a potluck, but in this case, with more tomato sauce, cheese and crust. It’s a smart way to cut back on costs while also allowing people to make and enjoy different types of pizza.
10. Serve mini slices of pizza: With bite-sized slices, people can enjoy a quick snack while still having room for a full meal later in the evening. Mini pieces also let guests try more than one flavor.
11. Use a brick oven: If your venue has a brick oven, it’s perfect for making fresh, hot pizza. Instead of waiters bringing over traditional plates of chicken, they can deliver plates of piping-hot pizza. Tables can serve themselves with one or two pies.
12. Offer to-go boxes: Instead of handing out traditional wedding favors, give pizza. You can place miniature pizzas in decorative boxes for people to take home.
13. Swap dinner rolls with cheesy pizza: Spice up your menu by substituting boring rolls with cheesy slices of flatbread pizza. No one will complain as they indulge in pizza bread before their main meal.
14. Pair pizza with drinks: Pair your pizza with a selection of wine flights or craft beer for a gourmet meal experience that adds variety to the table.
15. Hand out pizza dessert: Forget about the tomato sauce and cheese — serve cookie dough or caramel apple pizza, or even use a chocolate base and layer it with fresh fruit. Besides, everything is better drenched in chocolate.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to wedding pizza. You can customize the type and how you want it served to bring your dream menu to life.

Pizza Wedding Decorations

If you want to incorporate pizza into your wedding, but aren’t too keen on the idea of serving it for guests to eat, you can decide on a pizza-themed day, or infuse the night with a few pizza wedding decorations. While you might initially be concerned your Aunt Sally will see your pizza décor as tacky, there are ingenious ways to use pizza to spice up any ceremony, reception or after-party.

Here’s how you can get started.

1. Have your groomsmen wear pizza socks: Purchase several pairs of decorated socks as a subtle way to incorporate your favorite food without overshadowing their outfits.
2. Photo booth props: such as pizza boxes, hats, masks, balloons and other items, are a fun addition for your guests to get creative.
3. Create a custom wedding pizza logo: When people print out their photos from the booth, you can include a pizza logo at the bottom of the strips. They are the perfect souvenirs for guests to remember your big day. You can also place the design on your wedding programs, menus or napkins.
4. Wear pizza accessories: Aside from pizza socks for groomsmen, you can infuse your wedding party’s wardrobe with accessories like pizza bow ties, handkerchiefs, earrings and T-shirts. Pizza T-shirts for your bridesmaids or groomsmen can have phrases such as, “After this, we’re getting pizza,” or other clever pizza ideas.
5. Pizza signs throughout your reception area: are a clever way to use pizza puns or show people what you are serving. For example, you can decorate a sign saying, “I love you with every PIZZA my heart.”
6. Give portable pizza slicers as gifts: How fun, right? After a fantastic night filled with love, laughter and good memories, you can provide your guests nontraditional wedding favors. Portable pizza slicers with your wedding logo will not only give people a useful kitchen tool, but also serve as a remembrance of your big day.
7. Use pizza presentation: Make your pizza stand out with pizza paddle decorations, service on vintage wood boards or classic red-and-white square place settings. A tied-together pizza theme can add a rustic touch that makes your wedding feel personal.

Wedding reception pizza décor is a way for you to infuse your favorite food into the day without overpowering the overall theme. With trendy pizza shirts or accessories, your guests will enjoy your creativity.

What to Serve With Pizza at a Wedding?

While pizza is versatile, you can add more variety with creative drink combinations and sides. With some add-ons, you can ensure every guest finds something they love. Here are some crowd-pleasers to pair with your pizza bar:

1. Charcuterie boards: Cheese, olives, fresh fruit, cured meats and honey go great with pizza and create a sophisticated appetizer for your event.
2. Fresh salads: Balance out all the cheese and sauce with fresh caprese, Caesar and in-season salads.
3. Appetizer skewers: Fruit stacks or veggie skewers are a healthy side option. Consider combining mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and basil for a bright complement to pizza.
4. Garlic knots or breadsticks: Bread and garlic are classic pizza side snacks.
5. Nonalcoholic drinks: Lemonade, sparkling water, Italian soda or light mocktails can rehydrate guests.
6. Beer and wine: Offer custom wine and beer pairings that complement your pizza flavors to elevate the fare.
7. Mini cannoli or tiramisu: Bring out more Italian inspiration with classic mini desserts.

Giordano’s Wedding Pizza Catering

Whether you are looking to have a pizza wedding reception or pizza wedding decorations for your special day, choose Giordano’s to cater to your every request. We even have gluten-free pizza and topping options for guests with dietary restrictions. Based out of Chicago, we operate several locations spanning throughout downtown Chicago and across the country. Choose Giordano’s for delicious, memorable and completely customizable deep-dish offerings.

You have the option to pick up your food, or we can deliver it to your wedding venue for convenience. Most of our locations deliver, but some have pickup availability only. Our catering prices are the same as our menu pricing, so you won’t be caught off-guard with extra fees. From sandwiches and appetizers to pizza, we have a catering menu that meets all your food needs.

If you want to incorporate pizza into your wedding, we suggest placing an order at least 24 hours before your big day, but with even more notice, we can better prepare. Place a catering order from Giordano’s by contacting us online, or by placing an order with our catering sales manager.

Trust Giordano’s to create the perfect pizzas for your wedding!