Family Style Serving for Your Wedding
Photo by Windy City Production
When planning a wedding, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is selecting a caterer and style of dinner service. Dinner can be the most memorable part of the evening for guests, so you want to make sure it’s a good one. Along with the type of food you serve, the type of dinner service also reflects the atmosphere of the reception and can affect the flow of the reception.
There are three main types of dinner service styles that most caterers offer – plated, buffet, and family style. There are pros and cons for each type of service, so you want to weigh those against your vision for your reception: budget, formality, food options, and the length of dinner are all things to consider. Let’s discuss a family style dinner in this post.
Photo by Pulse Photography & Design
Photo by Forest City Photographs
A family style dinner is a blend of plated and buffet service. Large platters of each dish are served to each table for guests to share. This style of dinner service creates an inviting and warm atmosphere.
Pros
Interactive and Social: Family style dinners encourage guests to interact during dinner leading to a welcoming and cozy atmosphere.
Variety with Control: This method provides a variety of foods to each table like a buffet but with the limited portions like a plated meal. Guests are able to choose their foods and serving sizes.
Efficient Use of Time: Guests don’t have to get up or wait in line for food as each dish is brought to the table. Family style dinner also allows guests to eat at their own pace for a more relaxed feel.
Cons
Moderate Cost: Family-style dinner is usually in between pricing for plated meals and buffet service. It requires larger portions than a plated meal, but it might not need as much staff as a plated meal.
Table Space: Due to dinner being served on platters for each table, it requires ample table space. This can present a challenge with centerpieces and decor on the table.
Potential for Uneven Distribution: Since guests are able to choose their foods and serving sizes, there is the potential that not everyone at each table gets a full serving of each food choice.
Considerations
Price: Family style dinners are typically more budget friendly than plated meals. They offer a variety of food similar to a buffet while still maintaining some portion control like a plated meal.
Length of Time: This style of service is also usually faster than a plated meal, but it has a more relaxed feeling like a buffet as guests are able to eat at their own pace.
Serving Sizes: Each table receives a platter of each type of food, so guests are able to determine their own serving sizes. This provides options for guests at each table, but it can also cause shortages of some food if not carefully planned.
Family Style Dinners:
Casual and interactive
Middle ground for budget
Variety of foods
Some portion control per table
Choosing the style for dinner at your wedding reception depends on many factors like the atmosphere you want to set, the options you want to provide for your guests, your timeline, but most importantly, your budget. Ultimately, the best choice for the dinner style for your reception is the one that fits your budget and offers food that you love. Hopefully this also matches the ambiance you want for your reception as well as providing a great dining experience for your guests.
Many caterers offer more than one service type, so if you love the food, see which service type fits your budget!
The Homestead 1854 is a family owned and operated intimate wedding and event venue in Plano, IL. If you’re looking for a unique and historic wedding venue in Illinois, you’ve found it. Contact us here to learn more about what we offer and how to start planning the intimate wedding of your dreams.
