An important factor in the selection of your venue is the type of food service you want at your reception. To help you choose, here are some of the more popular types of wedding food service:
Buffet – food is displayed on long tables in one area of the reception room for guests to help themselves. Or, you can incorporate themed food stations and carving stations throughout the reception room so guests can mingle. Many people think buffet service is less expensive than a served meal but this is not necessarily true. More food is ordered in order to compensate for not knowing how much food people might pile on their plates. Buffets can be breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Sit-down, served meal – wait staff brings plated food out from the kitchen and serves your seated guests. The later it is in the day, the more formal the service is. This can be breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.
If you do not want to serve an entire meal, consider these options:
Afternoon tea – an informal afternoon reception with light sandwiches and pastries served on silver platters and china. Tea is poured by servers. (Not too popular with men since they usually prefer more substanial types of food.)
Cocktail or Appetizer Reception – late afternoon reception with hors d’oeuvres at food stations or “butlered”, meaning passed by servers. More expensive items are usually the ones that are “butlered.”
Dessert Reception – done after the dinner hour. A variety of desserts are set up buffet-style and served with gourmet coffees and after-dinner drinks. The wedding cake is one of the desserts.
Once you know your budget, number of guests, and type of food service you want, you can select a venue that can accommodate the layout of tables and chairs. For example, if you want buffet service, the room would need to be large enough for buffet tables, a line or two of people leading up to the buffet, the tables and chairs needed for you and all of your guests, a cake table, a dance floor, and your DJ or musicians. Work with your wedding planner, venue manager, or caterer to determine your needs.