From bridesmaid dresses to seating charts and floral arrangements, there are countless factors, both big and small, that go into planning a wedding. But arguably, the most important is the food you serve at your reception.
If you’ve ever attended nuptials that had lackluster dining options, then you understand why. Being a wedding guest, while fun, is also tiring. The day is long, drinks are often flowing, and people need fuel to keep themselves (and the fun) going.
At the same time, depending on your personal aesthetic and budget for your big day, the reception meal style you serve can make or break your vision.
Lucky for you, there are plenty of both traditional and more unique ways to dish out delicious eats for guests. Here are some of the most common ones so you can make the best decision for your own event.
The Classic Sit-Down Dinner
Most couples tend to choose the traditional plated sit-down dinner for their wedding. The meal is more formal this way, with each guest seated at an assigned table and receiving food in courses.
There is typically an appetizer, which is the same for everyone. As for the entrée, this course can be designed in a few different ways.
Some couples opt to provide guests with two to three menu options, allowing them to pick their own main meal. This can either be done at the time they RSVP or on the actual day of your nuptials.
Other couples decide to serve their guests the same entrée all around, with the exception of alternatives provided for those with vegan or vegetarian dietary restrictions.
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There are plenty of upsides to this reception meal style. Primarily, it sets a formal vibe immediately and allows you to have the majority of control over offerings. Plus, it keeps dining on a stricter schedule, as guests are served their food on a pre-planned timeline.
However, the price of a plated meal can be more expensive. Yes, you will get to control food costs by directly picking the kinds of dinners cooked, but the fact that they are served may translate to higher labor expenses.
Some surefire picks for this kind of wedding dining experience include a popular spring salad or Caprese salad as the appetizer and a roast chicken or grilled fish for the main.
Buffet-Style
If you love variety, buffets may be the way to go. Your reception will probably be filled with long tables touting tons of food options that provide your guests with the most diverse range of meal choices.
This style has gained popularity in recent years as a solution to accommodating those with food allergies or specific dietary preferences. It can also be very aesthetically pleasing if designed in line with your overall wedding vision.
Still, there are some downsides to this dinner layout. Since there are so many high-volume offerings, you may end up doling out more money to curate a menu with a wide range of cuisines. There also may be leftovers.
Additionally, buffets lead to lines, meaning keeping the dining portion of your reception to a schedule can be more difficult. Guests may get up to grab seconds, and keeping things moving may present a challenge.
Even so, buffets make sense for plenty of couples, and you can include countless tasty dishes to choose from, such as brick oven pizza, a sushi bar, all kinds of pasta, sliders, charcuterie, and more.
Cocktail-Style
Perhaps the least traditional is the cocktail-style reception, which goes against the notion that you have to create a seating chart.
This is particularly helpful for brides and grooms who don’t want to go through the trouble of figuring out exactly what table to place each guest. Plus, if you’re looking to have a more lively celebration, this layout can keep everyone up, moving, and mingling.
Cocktail-style dining will typically include small bites that are passed out on trays throughout the evening. The experience can be interactive and exciting and allow your guests to try a “little of everything,” literally.
At the same token, you can save on some cash since, when it comes to volume, you won’t end up funding an entire meal for every single guest.
On the flip side, though, there are some drawbacks. Older attendees may find this meal style uncomfortable, as it involves more standing. You might also encounter higher alcohol costs as guests tend to have direct access to a bar as opposed to waiters serving pre-determined amounts of drinks, like wine, beer, or cocktails.
Nonetheless, in terms of food expenses, cocktail-style dining is still quite cost-effective. You can have fun with your dish offerings, too, serving up small but delicious bites of things like crab cakes, mini tacos, bruschetta bites, and kabobs.
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