Knowing you want great food is easy; choosing how to serve it can be the hard part. Plated meals, sharing platters, buffets and picnic hampers all create very different experiences for you and your guests. When you understand the pros and cons of each catering style, you can match the food and service to your venue, your budget and the atmosphere you want to create.
A plated, sit-down meal is the classic wedding choice. Your guests are seated, dishes arrive beautifully presented, and everyone is served at the same time. This format works perfectly for more formal weddings, especially when you have scheduled speeches and a clear order of events. It’s a great option if you want that “restaurant-quality” feel, with each course arriving as a moment in the day. It does, however, tend to require more staff and a bit more structure, so it suits couples who like the idea of a more traditional timetable.
Sharing feasts and family-style dining bring a more relaxed, convivial feel. Large platters of meats, salads and sides are brought to each table for everyone to help themselves and pass dishes around. This style encourages conversation and a feeling of generosity, making it ideal for rustic barns, marquees and couples who love the idea of a big, sociable feast. Just remember that sharing platters need table space for serving dishes and can be a little less formal in appearance, so think about your place settings and décor accordingly.
Buffets and hot fork buffets give guests plenty of choice and work brilliantly for mixed dietary requirements or larger guest lists. You can offer a wide selection of dishes, from lighter salads and cold platters to hearty hot options, and guests can visit the buffet at their own pace. This is a strong option for evening receptions, informal weddings or events where the space is being used in several ways throughout the day. The key to a successful buffet is smart layout and attentive staff keeping everything topped up and tidy so it still feels polished and well-managed.
Picnic hampers and grazing-style options offer something charming and different. Hampers filled with savoury bites, breads, cheeses, charcuterie and sweet treats can be laid out for each table or group, encouraging guests to open, share and graze as they like. This format is perfect for marquee, tipi or garden weddings where you want guests to move around, relax on blankets or benches and enjoy a more informal, festival-inspired meal. It also photographs beautifully and can be a clever way to give guests a lot of variety without a very formal structure.
You can also combine styles across the day: for example, canapés and fizz on arrival, a sharing feast for the main meal and a lighter buffet or street-food-style stations in the evening. Thinking in terms of the full day, rather than just one meal, helps you create variety and keep the energy flowing.
If you’re unsure which catering style is right for your venue, guest list and budget, find out more, contact Jeeves Catering on info@jeevescatering.com to talk through the options and design the perfect service for your day.
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