Wedding Times

However big or small you envision your wedding reception to be, the chances are that you are going to serve some type of food. Nothing states that you have to throw a huge costly dinner but giving guests something to nosh on and refresh themselves with comes hand-in-hand with throwing any great party! When you’re thinking of serving food at your reception, you first need to decide what kind of meal you want to have and then what type of food you want for the meal.

Seated Dinners

The biggest advantage to a seated dinner is that it pleases the guests because all of their food is brought right to them and there’s very little work for them. The biggest disadvantage is that this is the costliest kind of meal you could have at your reception. These types of dinners are more associated with large formal affairs but you should also give particular consideration to them if you’re having a reception with lots of elderly people or small children.

Buffet Dinners

Although many people tend to think of buffet dinners as ‘discount dinners’, there are actually more benefits to them than disadvantages. The buffet dinner will be cheaper however, the guests are sure to find something they like on the buffet, which they may not with what you serve in a seated dinner. Buffet dinners also force the guests to meet and chat with each other and can get the party flowing. Buffets generally provide a more relaxed atmosphere and so are very appropriate for casual receptions but there’s no reason they should be excluded for formal parties either.

Appetizer or Cocktail Parties

An appetizer or cocktail party has many of the advantages that a buffet dinner has. It allows guests the chance to mingle and provides a way to serve a variety of food choices. The disadvantage is that guests often leave these receptions hungry so in order to still fill up your guests, choose hearty appetizers such as mini cheeseburgers as well as dainty canapés. You can also be very creative with these types of parties. For instance, consider throwing a dessert party or appetizers that match the bridesmaids’ dresses!

Brunch

Brunch can be an extremely enjoyable way to serve food at your reception. While these are often associated with less formal affairs, you can certainly fancy up any brunch by adding scrambled eggs with lobster, caviar, and mimosas! Brunch is generally a very inexpensive option and can make guests feel very relaxed.

Type of Food to Serve

When it comes to the actual food that you serve at your reception, there is no list of right or wrong foods. The important thing to keep in mind is that whatever you serve, it fits the tone of the reception and certainly if you’re having a theme wedding, you can get really creative with the food! It’s also important to consider the dietary concerns of your guests and offer options that will be suitable for vegetarians or people with allergies.