One of the most important aspects of wedding planning is ensuring that your guests enjoy a memorable meal.
The catering service you choose can greatly impact the overall atmosphere and experience of your wedding reception.
Various types of wedding catering services are available, each offering unique features depending on the event’s size, style, and level of formality.
Below are the most popular catering styles, with a detailed breakdown of each service.
Let’s get straight to the point
When planning a wedding, choosing the right catering style can greatly enhance the atmosphere and guest experience.
Options range from the elegant, formal plated dinner, where guests are served multiple courses, to the more casual buffet style that offers variety and flexibility.
For a lively, interactive experience, food stations or food trucks are fun and modern options.
Family-style catering fosters a communal, intimate vibe, while cocktail-style catering keeps things social with small bites.
Finally, interactive food bars allow guests to customise their meals. Each catering style brings unique advantages, ensuring a memorable dining experience tailored to your wedding vision.
1. Plated Dinner Service
The Gold Standard For Weddings
The plated dinner service is considered the most formal and traditional style of wedding catering.
It’s often referred to as the “gold standard” because it maintains a high level of elegance and sophistication throughout the reception.
Key Features of Plated Dinners:
- Guests select their meals from a pre-set menu.
- Trained staff serve each course directly to guests in a sequence.
- Typically includes three to five courses, such as appetisers, main dishes, and desserts.
- Creates a formal and organised atmosphere that complements an elegant wedding.
This style is ideal for couples aiming to create a refined, structured environment at their wedding.
However, this option can be the most expensive, as it requires more staffing, detailed preparation, and precise coordination.
The pre-planned nature of a plated dinner ensures that all guests receive their meals in a timely fashion without having to wait in lines.
Why Choose A Plated Dinner Service?
For couples looking to achieve a luxurious, high-end dining experience at their wedding, this catering style offers an unmatched level of formality.
It ensures that guests are treated to a carefully curated and personalised dining experience, where every dish is prepared to the highest standard.
2. Buffet Style Catering
Informal And Flexible Dining
A buffet style catering option is popular for its informal and flexible approach to serving food.
This catering service allows guests to serve themselves from a variety of food options displayed on long tables or stations, with the possibility of assistance from the catering staff.
Key Features of Buffet Style Catering:
- Offers a wide variety of food options, enabling guests to choose what they prefer.
- Buffets typically feature multiple stations to avoid long queues.
- Often costs less than a plated dinner service.
- Reduces food waste as guests can control their portion sizes.
Buffet-style catering is perfect for casual weddings or larger events, where the goal is to give guests the freedom to choose their own meals and try different dishes.
Additionally, buffets are an excellent way to cater to various dietary preferences, as guests can select foods that suit their needs.
Why Choose Buffet Style Catering?
Couples who want to create a more laid-back, casual dining experience may opt for buffet-style catering.
It encourages guest interaction and allows for a greater variety of dishes without being overly formal.
3. Food Stations
A Modern And Interactive Approach
Food stations have become a trendy catering option, offering a more modern and interactive dining experience.
With this style, various themed stations are set up, each serving different types of cuisine or dishes.
Key Features of Food Stations:
- Stations can be tailored to feature specific types of cuisine, such as sushi, pasta, or dessert bars.
- Guests can interact with chefs or staff at each station, adding a personalised touch.
- Encourages a lively and interactive atmosphere, allowing guests to mix and mingle while they eat.
- Stations can remain open throughout the event, enabling guests to eat at their own pace.
This catering style is particularly suited to couples who want a variety of food options in a creative and fun setting.
The interactive nature of food stations adds an element of excitement, making them ideal for modern or themed weddings.
Why Choose Food Stations?
Food stations are perfect for couples looking for a more dynamic and flexible dining experience.
Guests can move from station to station, sampling a variety of dishes and enjoying a more social, informal reception.
However, this option may be more expensive than a buffet due to the need for multiple chefs and a wide range of ingredients.
4. Family-Style Catering
Communal And Intimate Dining
Family-style catering is a warm, intimate way of serving food that mimics a traditional family meal.
Large platters of food are placed at each table, and guests pass the platters around, serving themselves.
Key Features of Family-Style Catering:
- Platters of food are placed in the middle of the table for guests to share.
- Encourages conversation and interaction among guests.
- Less formal than a plated dinner but more structured than a buffet.
- Ideal for weddings with a warm and inviting atmosphere.
This catering option fosters a sense of community and togetherness among guests.
It is perfect for couples who want to create a friendly, comfortable dining experience while still maintaining some structure.
Why Choose Family-Style Catering?
Family-style catering strikes a balance between the formality of a plated dinner and the casual atmosphere of a buffet.
It encourages a more personal dining experience and is ideal for creating an intimate environment, making it perfect for smaller weddings or those with a close-knit guest list.
5. Cocktail-Style Catering
Social And Relaxed Dining
For couples who prefer a more social and relaxed environment, cocktail-style catering is an excellent option.
Instead of serving a full meal, wait staff circulate with trays of small appetisers and hors d’oeuvres, or guests can pick up food from stations around the venue.
Key Features of Cocktail-Style Catering:
- Focuses on serving small bites and appetisers throughout the event.
- Provides a wide variety of food in smaller portions.
- Encourages guests to move around and interact.
- Ideal for informal receptions or shorter events without the need for a sit-down meal.
This style of catering is perfect for couples who want to create a relaxed, social atmosphere where guests can stand, mingle, and sample various unique dishes.
It is also a cost-effective option for those looking to avoid the expense of a full meal while still providing a memorable culinary experience.
Why Choose Cocktail-Style Catering?
Cocktail-style catering allows for a dynamic and informal dining experience, perfect for couples who want their guests to socialise and interact throughout the event.
It’s a great way to offer unique, creative dishes without the constraints of a formal dining setup.
6. Food Truck Catering
Fun And Unique Dining
Food trucks add a unique and exciting element to wedding catering, particularly for outdoor or festival-style weddings.
This type of catering is growing in popularity due to its laid-back and casual vibe.
Key Features of Food Truck Catering:
- Offers themed cuisines, such as tacos, burgers, or gourmet street food.
- Creates a casual and fun atmosphere.
- Guests can walk up to the truck to order their meals.
- It can accommodate a wide range of tastes and dietary needs.
Food trucks bring a sense of excitement and novelty to the wedding reception.
They are particularly well-suited to outdoor events and provide an opportunity for guests to enjoy a variety of dishes in a relaxed setting.
Why Choose Food Truck Catering?
Couples looking for an unconventional and trendy option will appreciate the charm of food truck catering.
It’s ideal for outdoor weddings and offers a fun, interactive experience for guests. However, it’s essential to ensure that there are enough food trucks to serve all guests efficiently.
7. Interactive Food Bars
Customisable And Fun
An interactive food bar allows guests to assemble their own meals, offering a hands-on dining experience.
This option is a hybrid between food stations and buffets, giving guests more control over their dishes.
Key Features of Interactive Food Bars:
- Guests can build their own dishes, adding a personal touch to their meals.
- Popular options include taco bars, salad bars, and dessert bars.
- Provides a customisable dining experience for guests.
- Adds a fun, interactive element to the reception.
Interactive food bars are a great option for weddings with diverse dietary preferences, as guests can customise their meals to suit their tastes.
The creativity involved in building their dishes adds a unique and memorable experience to the event.
Why Choose Interactive Food Bars?
For couples who want to provide a creative and customisable dining experience, interactive food bars are an ideal choice.
They offer a personalised approach to catering, making the meal more engaging and enjoyable for guests.
Conclusion
Selecting the right wedding catering service plays a pivotal role in shaping the overall ambience and experience of your special day.
Whether you’re aiming for a formal and elegant plated dinner, a flexible buffet, or a fun and interactive food truck or station, each style offers unique advantages suited to different wedding atmospheres, budgets, and guest preferences.
By understanding the various catering options—such as plated dinners, buffets, family-style service, and more—you can choose a dining experience that reflects your vision and adds to the lasting memories for you and your guests.
Ultimately, the right catering choice ensures not only delicious food but also a seamless, enjoyable experience that enhances the celebration of your love.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to cater a wedding?
Most couples spend between $1,800 and $7,000 on catering. Most caterers will include alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as part of their packages.
The average cost per person for a wedding in the United States is $40 for a plated meal and $27 for a buffet. Adding an open bar typically ups the cost by $15 per person.
How much do wedding caterers charge per person?
Typically, a caterer will make up their budgets on a “per head” basis, or what it will cost you to feed each guest at your wedding.
According to Sarah Carroll of Small Shindigs, the average cost for wedding catering per head ranges from $50-$150, depending on the factors below.
What is the cheapest way to cater a wedding?
Arranging a set menu is the most affordable option. Set menus are often inexpensive choices, like barbecue, pizza, tacos, falafels or kebabs.
A set menu will also help you avoid long lineups. If each guest has to order, then wait while their food is made, the lineup will be terrible.
Is it possible to cater your own wedding?
If you’re looking for an economical way to cater your wedding, a DIY reception menu is a potential solution.
While self-catered weddings require careful planning and budgeting, they can create an affordable and personal celebration. Self-catering is incredibly meaningful for couples who share a passion for cooking.
Do you have to have appetizers at a wedding?
So whether you are trying to cut costs, or just unsure on which way to go, just know you don’t HAVE to have appetizers.
There are plenty of options instead of appetizers. Fill your guests time with a bar, photo booth, activities, an engaging venue, and a lively atmosphere.
