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BANQUETS, RECEPTIONS, SHOWERS & PARTIES
24 | FALL & WINTER 2018
CHICAGO WEDDING & PARTY RESOURCE
CHICAGOWEDDINGRESOURCE.COMChoosing the
Right Meal Style for
Your Reception
Plated? Buffet? Food Stations?
Discover the pros and cons of different meal styles to find the best one for your wedding
By Carley Lintz, CTW Features
When it comes to reception food, modern
couples aren’t limited to traditional 3-course sit
down meals. Between buffets, food stations,
food trucks, cocktail-style meals and more, the
possibilities are practically endless. So, how
do you choose the right meal style for your
wedding?
One of the biggest factors for meal style is
the budget. A buffet is often the most cost-
effective option, but it can vary depending on
the venue. Guest count, too, is a very important
consideration.
The most common mistakes are guests not
coordinating the dinner with speeches.
You don’t want guests standing in line for the
buffet while speeches are happening
you want them to be attentive.”
And don’t forget about the guest experience. Do
you want a formal, black-tie affair or something
more casual and laid-back? Your meal style
should match the overall wedding atmosphere.
“Do what fits the vibe of the wedding,” advises
Greenheck. “You can be different! Work with the
venue they might be more accommodating than
you think.”
Here’s an expert breakdown of the pros and
cons four of the most popular wedding reception
meal styles.
Style 1: Plated
This is a formal, multiple course dinner served
to seated guests. Caterers typically offer guests
two to three entrée options, which are pre-
selected.
PROS:
• Guests can stay seated and remain attentive
for speeches. This prevents long lines, messy
buffets and potential spills.
• Since caterers know exactly how much of
each dish will be served, there’s less chance
for
waste.
• It’s the perfect match for a more sophisticated
style wedding in a hotel or other upscale venue.
CONS:
• It’s typically a more intensive planning
process since you need guests to provide their
selections, allergies, preferences or intolerances.
• It can be costlier, especially since it requires
more wait staff.
Style 2: Buffet
A buffet consists of long tables with all of the
dishes in a long line with servers to distribute
appropriate portions to guests.
PROS:
• This is usually a more cost-effective option and
is easier to coordinate.
• Guests can choose from more diverse options,
which is great for those with dietary restrictions.
CONS:
• Buffet tables take up extra room and guests
have to stand in line, which can be chaotic.
• Guests have to transport food, which can be
less than elegant and lead to accidents.
Style 3: Food Stations
This serve-yourself style meal has become
increasingly popular in recent years. Food
stations allow you to break up food displays with
different tables rather than a single long buffet.
PROS:
• It allows for more creative presentations
and food options, such as sushi bars, omelet
stations or dessert tables.
• More tables spread throughout the space
reduce the likelihood of lines.
• Multiple stations promote interaction and
mingling among guests.
CONS:
• It is more chaotic with guests moving about,
which isn’t conducive to speeches.
• It’s not very space effective, so you’ll need
plenty of space to accommodate enough food
stations.
• You’ll need to hire more staff to man the
different stations, which adds you to your
catering bill.
Style 4: Family Style
Family-style receptions are similar to plated
dinners since guests remain seated, but waiters
bring larger portions of food for guests to serve
themselves – just like at home.
PROS:
• It’s more efficient since guests don’t have to
wait in line and can save money since it requires
fewer servers.
• You don’t have to worry about guests getting
up for seconds or milling about during speeches.
CONS:
• Food can get cold or run out if guests overfill
their plates.
• Serving platters take up more room on the
table, which means less décor.
© CTW Features