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experiencing it as a guest. A Plated Wedding Dinner Reception
is the most traditional wedding service style. Essentially, professional service staff serves seated guests a meal with roughly 3-5 courses
Now that you are settling into your new role as fiancés, and considering options for your own wedding, you probably want to evaluate this style based on some of its finer points. To help you out, we have provided the following synopsis that addresses a few of the defining features of a plated dinner reception.
Sophisticated Elegance
Couples desiring for a formal dining experience should consider a plated wedding reception. Every single dish is beautifully plated and served directly to each guest, offering an air of unmatched elegance.
Your guests won’t walk to a buffet line then carry a plate of food while looking for a seat. Instead, they are pampered and allowed to indulge in a more intimate and relaxed meal.
Utterly Organized
You and your wedding planner will have the opportunity to pre-plan and orchestrate almost every aspect of your plated dinner reception. The timeline to the seating chart to the menu is all pre-planned and organized.
Couples are comforted knowing most of the finite details are handled, and they can relax and enjoy their most special day.
For example:
- Having a set menu with specific portions lets you know exactly how much you will need.
- Assigning seats allows you to govern who sits next to who ahead of time. Maybe it’s the old co-workers from different cities who you just know will hit it off, or conversely, maybe you have two family members who should sit on opposite sides of the venue!
- Name cards are not just there to look pretty and show your guests where to sit – they also help guarantee that each guest receives the entree that they chose in their RSVP.
- Having the ability to schedule speeches and toasts around courses while everyone is seated means that your guests won’t miss anything because they are walking to get a plate of food at the buffet.
Coincidentally, there is quite a bit more planning involved than with some other service styles. We highly recommend hiring a professional wedding planner to deal with some of the headaches for you. You will need to track guests’ entree choices, create seating assignments, make name cards, etc., but you’ll be well-rewarded once your wedding day finally comes and it is, quite literally, a piece of cake!
Authentically You
Not every plated dinner reception has to be a black-tie affair. If your vision leans more towards casual, or even unconventional, there are plenty of ways to remain true to your personal preferences.
Your venue can also dictate and impact the reception style you choose. Factors like limited kitchen access or small reception space allow some venues to work better for plated dinners than others. We can walk you through our suggestions and work to find a spot that fits.
Designing a reception that is authentically you is our forte. Everything from your linens, table decor, menu and name cards can create an impact that will ensure that your reception is formal… but not stuffy!
Budget Considerations
While every service style has elements that can increase or decrease the overall cost, plated meals do tend to be more expensive.
There are two major factors in the higher price for a plated wedding dinner:
- Additional wait staff is required to serve each guest individually. A general rule of thumb is 1 server per 10 guests. If you have 163 guests you would need roughly 17 servers.
- Plated dinners require more china, flatware, and glassware to serve each course of your meal.
For further reading on budget considerations, you may refer to a more exhaustive list that we compiled on how to compare catering price options.
Need More Answers?
Contact us to schedule your free 10-minute initial consultation. Our experienced team would love to answer any questions you may have. We will help to guide you towards the wedding of your dreams. You can also check out our Reception Style Selector for additional articles on plated dinners, buffets, stations, and more.
Schedule your free 10 minute consultation.
The fastest way to get answers, no obligations, no strings attached.
