Wedding Caterers: 5 Serving Methods For Your Reception

Choosing your wedding menu and caterers is only half the battle. You'll also need to determine how the food will be served to your guests. It may seem trivial, but the serving style can set the mood, effect the available space of your reception area, and even drastically change the budget. Depending on the type of food being offered, as well as the theme, certain types of serving may not work as well as others. Here are some popular options to consider.

Buffet

This is a popular style for more casual weddings or those with a large number of people (especially children). While less formal, a buffet allows people greater choice and there is less fuss than choosing fixed menus. Guests often appreciate the wider variety of foods, but some may begrudge having to serve themselves. A buffet table will also take up a large portion of the room, which may be a concern if the area is on the tight side already.

Serving Stations

If a buffet is too pedestrian, a similar alternative is to have designated serving stations. Certain foods can be prepared right in front of the guests. Common stations would include crepes, fajitas, sushi, and other single-serve and easily customizable dishes. Traditional buffet tables can then round out the offerings. These are great options for a party intended for mingling, dancing, and socializing. Few guests will spend much time at their tables, and everyone will be keen to try out everything available.

Banquet or Family Style

If you're concerned about getting your guests to interact with each other this method can quickly break the ice. Platters of food are served to each individual table for sharing, or there are just a few long picnic-style tables where large dishes are served. Caterers can help slice and serve to prevent messy dish-passing and keep the plates moving quickly so no one goes hungry. It won't work with all menus, and sometimes people can get grabby if the caterers aren't quick enough, but it will get conversations started.

Traditional

For small, very formal weddings, the traditional pre-planned menu and waiter service is still popular. There's no extra tables to take up room, which leaves a larger area for dancing and mingling after dinner. It's important, however, to pick the dishes carefully and keep in mind any allergies or special diets. If you have a larger guest list, aim for foods that can be prepared several hours in advance without losing too much freshness. Rubbery chicken or dried rice won't go over well with hungry guests.

Carving

If you want a twist on the traditional serving method, try adding a tableside carver to your menu. They will walk around to each table and offer to slice fresh cuts of meat right onto guests' plates. It's interesting, builds anticipation, and ensures fresh food is served. Don't rely on a single carver, though. Nothing is worse than being the last table to be served. Ensure that the caterers you hire can supply enough to have every served within first fifteen to twenty minutes.