🍽️ Unveiling the Secrets of Stellar Reception Food
A wedding feast is a highlight. It's a celebration of love, and let's be real, everyone looks forward to the food. But how do you choose between all the possible ways to serve up deliciousness at your reception?
Let's dive in.
First up, the buffet.
It's an all-you-can-eat paradise. But, more than that, buffets give your guests a chance to pick and choose based on their preferences.
Pros:
Usually one of the more cost effective options when serving a large guest count.
Guests can choose their preferred selection for their meal.
Service can be quicker than a more formal platted meal.
The offerings vary greatly from selecting a local caterer to a more recognized national chain (such as Chipotle or Chick-Fil-A).
Downsides
Lines can get long if the emcee does not dismiss table numbers
Because guests are self serving, it is harder to know how much food to order so sometimes there is a lot of leftovers and sometimes food runs out.
If there are not appropriate serving dishes, food could get cold or overdone
If you do have a buffet, I would recommend asking the caterer if they have a “served” option. This is one of the best in-betweens from a true buffet and a plated meal. This allows your caterer to serve the food from the buffet, speeding up service and helping with the serving size management.
Another thing to consider when having a buffet, is the clean up. Who is going to be in charge of restocking the food as well as picking up the trash and plates at the end of service.
On the other hand, plated meals bring an air of sophistication to the event.
Your guests can enjoy being served at their tables, indulging in a meticulously crafted menu.
Pros:
Provides an elevated experience for your guests.
Assembles a team of vendor professionals to serve and provide excellent services.
Allows for guests to get comfortable at their table and not have to move or walk around with a plate in hand.
Food quality is usually better with a more consistent temperature and appearance.
Downsides:
Plated meals can be costly with the additional staffing and complexity of the meal.
Usually have to select one or two options which does not give the variety of a buffet.
Adhering to everyone’s dietary needs if not explicitly asked before hand can be a challenge.
Service usually takes longer and caterer will need a larger prep space to handle a plated meal.
Then there are food stations.
Think sushi corner, pasta bar, or slider station - fun and interactive!
Pros:
Stations will definitely give your guests something to talk about as it is a fun entertainment aspect for your wedding.
Provides your guests with lots of options to choose from.
If you are a foodie, allows you to showcase all of your unique tastes and let your guests experience it too.
Downsides:
Requires ample space inside the venue.
Requires your guests to walk around and “search” for their food.
Can be costly as you are serving multiple meals instead of allowing your caterer to bulk order food and takes a lot more staffing.
And let's not forget the trendy food trucks.
They add a hip touch and offer a wide range of options.
Pros:
Another entertainment featured wrapped up in your dining experience!
Help support local businesses and share their unique service.
Allows for you to utilize the entire venue and show guests different areas they may not have explored elsewhere.
Hot off the grill!
Downsides:
Not all venues allow for food trucks.
Would need easy access for guests to get to food truck and then back to their reception seating.
Line can get backed up if the vendor is not prepared ahead of time to serve such a large crowd.
Regardless of the format, you can always make your menu stand out. Infuse it with your personality. Love Italian cuisine? How about a pasta bar or a pizza food truck! Maybe you two had your first date at a sushi restaurant? A sushi station might be a nostalgic touch.
Remember, your wedding is a reflection of you. Make it personal, make it unique, and most importantly, make it delicious!
Cheers,
Abbey
