Glorious Events

Before you sit down with your caterer, it’s helpful to know some of the options available to you and the pros and cons of each. Following is a brief primer on the terms you will hear.

Plated Meal (also called seated dinner, or sit-down dinner): Your caterer will bring your guest’s pre-ordered meal to them at the table on an individual plate. The plated meal is the most formal style.

• Options: Your guests 1) can all eat the same meal, 2) you can give them a choice on your response card or 3) you can provide a duo plate (two entrees on the same plate) and all guests get the same meal.
• Things to know: If you selected the single meal option, your caterer can serve everyone quickly. If you select the duo plate, your costs will increase since all guests are receiving both menu items on their plates. If you select the menu choice option, then it will take your caterer a little more time to serve your guests and you will need to indicate at each guest’s place setting what your guest has chosen (typically handled by a place card at the guest’s seat).
• Pros: You can control costs because you caterer only has to provide a limited number of extra meals. If you provide the single meal option for all guests, it’s easier for you since you don’t have to create place cards and only need to collect RSVPs. Service is fairly quick and guests spend less time waiting for their food and eating and more time partying. The plated meal is especially helpful to guests who have mobility issues.
• Cons: Number of food choices are limited generally due to cost. Guests do not have choice in portion size since food is pre-plated.

Family Style: Your caterer will deliver platters of each entrée and side dish to each table and then guests serve themselves as they pass the platters around the table.

• Options: All entrees and side dishes 1) can be served all at once or 2) spaced out so that each dish is served only after the guests have completed the previous dish.
• Things to know: If you select the ‘all dishes placed on the table at the same time’ option, then your guests will be served quickly. If you select the ‘each dish after the previous one has been finished’ option, then the dinner service will consume a major portion of your reception timeline. You also need to select a caterer who monitors the flow of food consumption at each table so there is not a long lag time between dishes. If your goal is a casual, relaxed meal and your guests are not dancing fans, then selected the option where each dish is brought out individually as your guests complete the previous one.
• Pros: You can offer your guests more choices in side dishes and entrees like a buffet brought to each table. Guests can control their own portion sizes. The plated meal is especially helpful to guests who have mobility issues. It encourages people at the table to talk to each other as they pass the food around.
• Cons: Depending upon the size of the platter being passed around the table, it can be awkward for guests to maneuver it and serve themselves without help from one of their neighbors. You will need plenty of room on your table for all of the platters so go easy on the centerpieces or order a larger size table for your guests.

Buffet: Multiple entrees and side dishes are arranged on a long table and guests are invited by tables to select the food choices they prefer.

• Things to know: Food service is slower than either plated or family style – especially if your caterer has not assigned servers to dish food out for your guests – so will require more of your reception time. Make sure you place several menus on each guest table so they will know in advance what food is available at the buffet.
• Pros: Guests can choose exactly what they prefer to eat and can return for more if they are still hungry. Generally buffets offer more food choices than the plated style service.
• Cons: They cost is typically higher for a buffet since caterers must allow for more servings per dish because they cannot gauge which dish most guests will eat. Your guests must either wait at their tables or in line to get their food. They must navigate from their table to the buffet line which can be treacherous in a crowded room.

Food Stations: Multiple tables set up with each offering a few menu items – often grouped by type (for example: pasta station, carving station, potato bar, salads, etc.)

• Things to know: Food service is slower than either plated or family style – especially if your caterer has not assigned servers to dish food out for your guests – so will require more of your reception time. Make sure you place several maps on each table listing what food is available and the location of each station.
• Pros: Since many people like to ‘graze,’ the Food Station gives them that opportunity. Guests can choose exactly what they prefer to eat and can return for more if they are still hungry. It’s fun for your guests to get up and explore and mingle at the food stations. Generally food stations offer more food choices than the plated style service. Guests can control their portion size. Lines tend to be minimal because the various food stations are spread out around the reception area.
• Cons: Guests do a lot more wandering to locate each food station and the particular dish that station is serving. Like buffets, the cost is typically higher for food station service since caterers must allow for more servings per dish because they cannot gauge which dish most guests will eat. They must navigate from their table to the food station and back again. There is no right or wrong style to choose. The only limiting factor is your preference and your guests comfort.

Here’s to Love

Bonnie Phelps