Espresso Crpes. 13 Wedding Taco Bar Ideas To Spice Up Your Wedding Reception - The Knot We also went to a wedding that was more cocktail style and had a blast. But, I am having a similar affair to yours. The most logical thing would be to choose simple, inexpensive food. Food stations, be they dessert tables or snack buffets, have really taken off in wedding catering over the past few years and it's easy to see why! Now, there's another option that's threatening to overtake the buffet in terms of popularity, and that's the food station. So, is it the same as having a buffet? But I wouldn't both mentioning anything in the invitations. You don't need a traditional reception, but you do need seating. When considering food stations, couples should size up both the venue and the guest list to ensure that the room won't be cramped, since the stations will use more space. So the main meal and the hors doeuvres are served together. We also went to a wedding that was more cocktail style and had a blast. A Mediterranean salad (or another salad option such as Greek or Caesar) is an easy way to accommodate everyone on the guest list. Serve in martini glasses. There is another change driving the use of food station wedding receptions. Some fun and inexpensive DIY food station ideas that you can use at your wedding include: S'mores station around an open fire pit. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the planning and execution of food stations, consider hiring a catering company. One of my friends did what you're describing at dinner time and it was a disaster. Make sure to have enough for all guests. Affordable Wedding Food Ideas - 360SiteVisit Before you hand the reins over to your caterer, look into what types of food bars suit your big day. It is the beginning of the reception portion of the wedding. Utilizing food stations at your wedding reception is less about food and more about social mixing. Serve your favorite coffee and food pairing come the dessert hour. Too, our reception is later in the evening, at 7pm, if that helps. We will have more than enough seats for the guests and a coat check will be available if needed, though I doubt it as the wedding is on October 7th in NYC. I would think by not assigning seats, any friends, that may also be introverts or may not know many people there, would be in quite an awkward place. Thanks PP for the advice! You have enough seating, plus extras, for everyone. HTH~. Think about this. Other than that, no. So the seat for every caboose is crucial. Dont be afraid to shake things up by adding in a few adventurous options like kimchi, sauerkraut, sprouts, guacamole and pineapple. Additionally, if budget constraints mean youre not able to serve all your guests from a beautiful display cake, Jeremy Michalski of Cutting Edge Catering in Rancho Cucamonga, California advises couples to consider another seamless option. KrisI'm cracking up at your sharks circling comment and know just what you mean : ) You gave me great things to consider. Get creative with your grazing table's design by incorporating unexpected props for a dynamic effect. Find wedding inspiration that fits your style with photos from real couples, Sit back and relax with travel info + exclusive deals for the hottest honeymoon destinations, To unblock this content, please click here. Setting up one or more classic food stations will ensure that those guests who dont have adventurous taste buds will still find delicious options to eat during your cocktail hour. A tempura food station at your reception buffet is an easy way to provide mixed, assorted options for guests. Work with your catering company or do some research to determine the appropriate amount. Doesnt a Bump and Run party sound more inviting? Check out this years best local pros, chosen by couples like you. Also, think about the theme of your wedding and incorporate foods that fit the theme. Yes, you will need to provide utensils and plates for the food stations. Other items to add to a Southern Comfort Food Station includes fried green tomatoes, buttermilk biscuits and collard greens. On the fence about having a cocktail-style wedding reception? Make sure your wedding menu features food that's both delicious and plentiful. While your caterer will likely follow some of the same guidelines outlined above for salad, sides, and entres, theyll also have to account for larger portion sizes that can result from guests serving themselves. Vegetable Also, he knows when and how to inject wedding traditions. How to Have Food Stations at Your Wedding Updated Aug 08, 2022 The wedding vows are done, dinner is overguests will be itching for dessert next to keep them energized on the dance floor. Having a sushi bar at your wedding is akin to gifting your guests AYCE rolls (and, honestly, what better present is there?). Thank you so much for sharing what you've experienced. Anyone do food stations?? | Weddings, Wedding Reception | Wedding They have experience with setting up and executing food stations and can take care of all the details. 14 Unexpected Food Stations For Your Wedding Walking around and looking at the great art on the walls and in the halls. The change to a reception with food stations allows guests to sample more foods, different foods, expected and unexpected. Hiring a chef to make fresh sushi rolls and nigiri for your guests would be ideal, but, with help from your venue staff, you could create a station with pre-rolled sushi, Vietnamese-style rice paper rolls or noodles in mini takeout boxes. "Couples who are looking for the option of not being stuck at a table all night like that, because it gives you a chance to get up and interact with other people.". We've been to many weddings and are both introverts and find the formal sit down dinner to be a bit painful if you're not sat at the right table. IMO a cocktail party reception can be fabulous it just has to be done thoughtfully. I don't think a seating chart is compatible with your desired vibe, so I wouldn't worry about that at all. Some restaurants even offer to serve the food buffet style for a (usually) very reasonable fee. Include the meat and buns and simply add lettuce wedges, onions, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard and cheese as add-ons for guests. Yes, a dessert station is a popular option for weddings. These food stations are super easy to put together because you can prepare them in advance, particularly if you've got access to the venue the day before the wedding. Get creative and have fun with the food stations. They have continuous access to the main course. Do you expect people to stay the whole time? Grilling Here are 15 wedding drink ideas that are clever and cute. It can be done. Who doesn't love donuts? Chilli/Taco Bar - Construct your own chilli/taco bowls. Perhaps some signage that says, "feel free to mingle" or "freestyle seating.". Accommodating both you and your guests may seem like a daunting task when it comes to food selections, however we have a few wedding snack ideas that will ensure all attendees are accounted for when it comes to the wedding menu. If you're opting for buffet-style meal service, guests will serve themselves from a food station and select their own food choices and portions. This is how you make sure it's not awkward. Mashed Potato Bar A bowl of mashed potatoes white or sweet can be the perfect warm indulgence. For kitsch factor, hire an ice cream truck like Rockfield or Teddy'sin Ireland or Scoff and Sip orVintage Ice Cream Van Hire in the UK. Stand up cruising tables are really a hit. 35 Food Bar Ideas for Your Wedding Even if your guests can serve themselves, you'll still need the co-operation of the venue and/or catering staff, as they'll need to store spoilable items like cheese or desserts with fresh cream in their refrigerators, and put them out at the correct time. They work well as a DIY project - maybe your Granny makes the best apple tart on the face of the planet or your pal's lemon bars can't be beat! Food While some couples may worry this approach won't be enough, Ann Bloomquist Jarema says to remember that not all your guests will take cake after a full meal, leaving you with plenty of slices to spare. The pros you got to mingle with different peopole do to the fact that everyone don't eat everything and while standing in line you get to talk about the wedding and see who knows who like "are you friends of the bride or groom" etc. Download the WeddingWire app to plan anytime, anywhere. Couples with Middle East or Greek backgrounds can serve a Mediterranean Bar with a selection of spreads hummus, baba ghanoush, labneh, cacik, htipiti and ezme olives, crostini with cheese and salads. How much food should I order for each station? It's a totally different vibe than assigned seating at tables for 10.and it's great! It's your wedding and your style, whatever makes you and your FH happy! My FBIL/FBSIL did a cocktail style reception (it was essentially a partial buffet dinner and partial passed heavy apps) but still had a table for everyone. I was at a networking meeting last evening. If you're leaning toward food stations but watching the bottom line, check with your caterer about any additional costs for replenishing the food or having the stations manned; some action stations, like an oyster bar that requires an attendant for shucking, may mean you pay more for labor (but, says Parekh, shortening the amount of time the food stations are open may help you trim costs). They are a great way to offer guests a variety of food options and create a fun, interactive atmosphere. We did a beautiful cocktail reception a year ago where I work. It's strolling in that we have 3 tapas food stations, high top tables, and open seating for 80 people (aside from parents, grandparents, and elderly family). 28 Food And Food Station Ideas For A Brunch Wedding I had a seat for a little while and mingled the whole time before I knew it I had 4 glasses of wine and was ready to let loose but I went home instead. Subscribe to get special offers, free giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals. Lay out corn and flour tortillas, pico de gallo, queso fresco, shredded lettuce and all the other necessary fixings. After 1.5 hours of standing in a too small room w/a bunch of women, each juggling purse/plate/glass, and not enough air conditioning -- I was so happy to get out of there! Ask your caterer if you can have one or two sushi chefs behind the table making custom rolls for those who dont want the ones available. Birds of a Feather.