Why family-style catering might be right (or wrong) for your wedding reception.
When it comes to dining, I have a straightforward approach. I want to taste everything on the table. I want to split something or order a bunch of dishes for the whole table to share. I love talking about food even when I’m eating it. And I especially love sharing it.
Sharing food is a universal love language. Italians share recipes for generations and gather around large platters of pasta. Ethiopians eat injera together to express their unity and cultural heritage. And my favorite are the small, shareable dishes from the Middle Eastern tradition of mezze!
Joining friends and family around a table to share a meal is our most primal tradition. It's how we celebrate holidays and occasions for as long as we can remember. In most cultures, sharing food isn't just a practice - it's the norm. These warm and communal dining experiences are etched into our fondest memories, whether that’s making tamales on Christmas or savoring the nostalgic flavors of a pumpkin pie.
One memorable Christmas Eve, my uncle and I treated our family to a culinary adventure inspired by our recent trip to India and a cooking class we had taken there. We prepared an exquisite menu of traditional Indian dishes using the spices and recipes we brought home. We invited our family to dress in the vibrant scarves, clothing and accessories we’d brought back as souvenirs. We decorated the dinner table with colorful linens, marigold flowers, and the yummy dishes that took us all day to make. We shared stories about our trip and savored the delicious flavors of India. Though it’s been ten years since that dinner, my family and I still reflect on that day with delight. It wasn’t just a meal. It was an experience that brought us closer together.
This heartwarming feeling is why we love family-style catering for wedding receptions.
For those couples who are considering family-style or plated menus at their wedding reception or rehearsal dinner, here are some reasons why family-style is right for you:
It fosters togetherness. Sharing a meal brings people together more intimately, sparks conversation, and nurtures connection. Guests interact more, serve one another, talk, and get comfortable with their neighbors.
If you really love food, family-style is the best way to go! When everyone is enjoying the same meal, it’s easy to strike up a conversation and talk about the dishes. You can start with snacks for the table, then move on to a course of bread, salads, and vegetables, and keep it coming with another course of seafood, meat, and pasta! The best part is that you get a bite of everything.
It’s intimate. You want your guests to feel like they’re cherished. Sharing food is a warm and welcoming way to begin the wedding reception. It feels like you’re having people over for dinner in your home.
It is an elevated communal style of service. Servers are attending to you, hospitality is warm, and the caterer’s expertise is essential.
Everyone will be happy! Various shared dishes allow guests more flexibility with what they put on their plates. Family-style easily accommodates dietary preferences like vegetarian, gluten-free, or vegan. Even picky eaters or kids can eat from the menu.
Or, if you want to include a family recipe or custom dish showing your heritage, family-style is perfect for you.
Here are some reasons why family-style dining might not be suitable for your wedding:
You want a very formal, structured dinner service. You have a black-tie wedding and want guests to feel like they’re dining in a Michelin-star restaurant. You don’t want your guests to lift a finger!
Your floral arrangements are the focal part of the table and cannot be moved for dinner service. Family-style platters take up space on the tables and require guests to be able to reach across the table. If you have a band of flowers or candles, this may be difficult for guests.
You have a lot of guests with allergies or dietary preferences. If you receive your RSVP cards with over 15% of guests noting an allergy, consider a plated meal for easy customization. Some surprising allergies like garlic, sesame, mustard seed, or celery can be found in sauces or go unnoticed in some dishes. As a caterer, we want to be sure everyone’s dietary preferences are followed and accommodated without fuss.
When deciding on the catering style for your wedding, it's essential to consider your vision and the kind of experience you want to create for your guests. Take some time to reflect on how you typically celebrate important moments and holidays, your preferred style of dining, and how you want to show your guests that you care.
And if you’re like me and want to have it all, family style is the right menu for you.
