How to Choose Different Catering Styles for Events and Weddings

image of chocolate fountain buffet photo by cpienaar photo

Planning the perfect event or wedding involves many decisions, but one of the most crucial is selecting the right catering style. The way you serve food can significantly impact the atmosphere and flow of your celebration. Here, we’ll explore the different catering styles—buffet, plated, family-style, and cocktail—and discuss why each is important for your event or wedding.

Choosing the Right Catering Style for Your Event or Wedding

Selecting the appropriate catering style depends on various factors, including the type of event, the guest list, and the desired atmosphere. Here are a few tips to help you decide:

Understand Your Event Type: Consider whether your event is formal or casual, large or small. Plated dinners are best for formal occasions, while buffets and family-style are great for more relaxed gatherings.
Consider Your Guests: Think about the preferences and needs of your guests. Buffets and family-style catering can cater to diverse tastes, while plated meals offer a more controlled and elegant experience.
Venue Constraints: Evaluate the space and layout of your venue. Cocktail-style catering is ideal for venues with limited seating, while buffets require ample space for serving stations.
Budget: Determine your budget and choose a catering style that aligns with it. Buffets and family-style meals can be more cost-effective than plated dinners.

Image of person serving themself at the buffet

Buffet Style

Buffet catering involves setting up a self-serve station where guests can choose from a variety of dishes. This style is popular for its flexibility and ability to cater to diverse tastes and dietary needs.

Why Choose Buffet Style?

Variety: Guests can sample a wide range of dishes, making it easier to accommodate different preferences and dietary restrictions.
Casual Atmosphere: Buffets create a relaxed and informal dining experience, encouraging guests to mingle and socialize.
Cost-Effective: Often more affordable than plated meals, buffets reduce the need for extensive wait staff.

This style is ideal for: Larger events, casual weddings, and corporate gatherings where flexibility and variety are key.

a server holding plates

Plated Style

Plated catering is a traditional and formal style where guests are served individual plates by wait staff. Each course is carefully prepared and presented.

Why Choose Plated Style?

Elegance: Plated meals offer a refined and sophisticated dining experience, perfect for formal weddings and high-end events.
Portion Control: Ensures consistent portion sizes and presentation, making it easier to manage food costs and waste.
Personalized Service: Provides a more attentive and personalized service, enhancing the overall guest experience.

Ideal For Formal weddings, gala dinners, and upscale corporate events where elegance and precision are paramount.

image of food platters on a table

Family Style

Family-style catering involves large platters of food being placed on each table, allowing guests to serve themselves. This style fosters a sense of community and shared experience.

Why Choose Family Style?

Community Feel: Encourages interaction and sharing among guests, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Variety: Similar to a buffet, family-style service offers a variety of dishes, allowing guests to choose what they like.
Control Over Pace: Guests can eat at their own pace, making the meal more relaxed and enjoyable.

Ideal For Intimate weddings, family reunions, and events where creating a sense of community is important.

Image of bar and a flower buffet

Cocktail Style

Cocktail-style catering features bite-sized appetizers and hors d'oeuvres served on trays or at stations. Guests typically stand and socialize while eating.

Why Choose Cocktail Style?

Social Engagement: Ideal for encouraging mingling and networking, as guests can move around freely.
Flexibility: Offers a wide range of small, creative dishes, perfect for showcasing culinary artistry.
Space Efficiency: Requires less seating and table arrangements, making it suitable for venues with limited space.

Ideal For: Corporate networking events, modern weddings, and parties where a vibrant, social atmosphere is desired.

Still unsure about which catering style to choose? Our team of experienced event experts is here to guide you through all the options, ensuring you select the perfect style that matches the vision and atmosphere of your event. From elegant plated dinners to lively cocktail receptions, we’ll help you make a choice that enhances your celebration.