Its that time of the week again when we all look to a little bit of advice! Do you think your wedding food is important? Do you think it leaves a lasting impression? Well why don't we hear from someone who knows A LOT about it!
Thank you to Marianne Moore for her contribution this week. She has been in the wedding and culinary industry for over 20 years! She has been the Director of Catering for five of more of the biggest venues in St. Louis and she has always done the most amazing job. She is currently the Chef & Manager of the School of Cooking Culinary Event Center at Dierbergs Markets. PS - you should DEFINIELY take a class!
For many wedding guests, the reception menu is one of the most
memorable parts of the experience, so choosing the right food is at the top of
the list for couples as they start their planning journey. There are so many choices, where to start?
As
you begin your overall reception and menu planning, take time to have some
honest discussions with your fiancée and family regarding the budget and
overall vision. Do you envision a formal plated
sit-down dinner, or a bit more interactive family style meal? Would you prefer
buffet style or food stations? How about
casual cocktail reception?
There is no
right or wrong answer. It all depends on the overall style of your
wedding. Some think that a buffet dinner
is way too casual for a wedding reception. Others think that a formal sit down
dinner is too stuffy and keeps guests at their seats too long. Keep in mind that if your vision is a formal
wedding reception, then a buffet style meal might look out of place. On the
other hand, if you're having an informal celebration, a cocktail reception
might be your best option.
Here are some
of the most popular options and the pros and cons…
Sit Down
With a sit-down
dinner, guests sit at assigned tables and dinner is served in courses. This is
considered the most formal of all event styles. It is elegant and guests will experience the
dish the way the chef intended, with the right amount of sauce and appropriate
side items. Menu items can even be
paired with wine selections. One
disadvantage is that guests have a limited number of food choices. Normally, only 2 Р3 entr̩e options are
offered and your guests have to confirm their choice when they send you their
RSVP.
Family Style
Family style is
similar to a plated sit-down dinner. Guests are assigned to tables, but instead
of individual plates, the food comes on large platters and is placed in the
middle of the table. Guests help themselves with the food and decide which
items they want and how much. Family style set-up is considered to be less
formal, but it provides an opportunity for guests to interact with each other. This type of service works especially well
with larger, square tables and a smaller guest list.
Buffet style
With a buffet
style all food items are set on a long buffet table. Guests pick up a plate and
serve themselves choosing items they like. Keep in mind that with the buffet
style people tend to have larger portions. One of the main disadvantages of the
buffet style is that guests might have to wait in line to get their food.
Food Stations
Food stations
are a great alternative to buffet style.
They can be placed in different areas of the venue and can be designed
with one central or a few different themes - carving station, pasta stations
and sushi stations are a few of the more traditional stations. For more unique stations think Mac and
Cheese, Risotto, Mashed Potatoes. The Chef
prepares food in front of the guests, to order providing a great interactive experience.
Cocktail Reception
A Cocktail Reception
can be less formal, but can still be chic with creative food presentations and a
unique cocktail bar. Hot and cold hors d'oeuvres are butler passed and paired
with various signature cocktails to create a one of a kind custom event. Another great idea is to combine a cocktail
party with food stations. Contrary to
popular belief, a casual reception can be just as costly as a formal sit down
dinner as it requires a high number of service staff. The price also depends on
the ingredients used in your hors d'oeuvres selection.
I can’t stress
enough that whatever style of service and menu you choose for your wedding, always
keep your budget in mind. Think about
overall tone of your wedding, and don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. Do you prefer classic and formal, stylish and
modern, fun and interactive? Communication with everyone from your family
to your event professionals is key to designing the perfect menu for your
wedding and to getting the most from your budget and creating an event that is
uniquely you!
