Find Your Catering Style: Which Food Service Suits Your Wedding Style

Take our quiz to determine the right food service for your reception

March 26, 2025

PICK A PHRASE TO DESCRIBE THE VISION FOR YOUR WEDDING:

1. Classic and glamorous

2. Pretty and personalized

3. Warm and welcoming

4. Engaging and interactive

5. Subtle and simple

DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL WEDDING ATTIRE:

(whether it’s a gown, a suit or an outfit that’s somewhere in between)

1. A statement piece—something that stuns and wows our guests.

2. Something meaningful that incorporates a shared interest or details representing my beloved.

3. A vintage ensemble; an outfit passed down or new to me yet with plenty of history.

4. Something offbeat that uses color, print or fabric in an unexpected way.

5. I haven’t thought much about my attire; it’ll likely be whatever I try on first!

CONGRATULATIONS! AN ANONYMOUS DONOR JUST FUNDED YOUR DREAM HONEYMOON. WHAT’S ON THE ITINERARY?

1. A locale with breathtaking views, five-star meals and plenty of spa time (such as the Amalfi Coast, Bora-Bora or Santorini).

2. An elevated tour of relationship nostalgia (for example, renting your first-date restaurant before flying first-class to your proposal destination).

3. A week-long stay in a quaint town (perhaps a cozy cabin in Lake Tahoe, a cottage on the coast or a ranch-style home in a Western town).

4. A private-jet trip to one of the quirkiest luxe destinations in the world (for example, haunted luxury at Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, the quirky and cool ice hotel in Sweden, or the suite built inside an old airplane at Hotel Costa Verde in Costa Rica).

5. A glorious staycation in your own space (with free food delivery from your favorite local places, in-home massages and movie marathons—without the responsibilities of everyday life).

PICK A PHRASE TO DESCRIBE YOUR HOME DESIGN STYLE.

1. Elegant; designed for entertaining.

2. Fully customized; details of “us” everywhere.

3. Warm and inviting; vintage or secondhand pieces throughout.

4. Fun, funky and eclectic; we love to mismatch.

5. Carefree and easy.

WHAT KIND OF SELF-CARE DO YOU TURN TO WHEN YOU’RE STRESSED OUT?

1. Surrender to some spa time.

2. Partake in a cozy hobby (for example, knitting, creating art, watching your comfort show.).

3. Spend extra time with friends and family (pets included).

4. Do something adventurous or physical activity.

MOSTLY ONES: PLATED DINNER

The classic, tried-and-true food service method for a formal event: the sit-down dinner. This style can be customized to be as laid-back or as sophisticated as you’d like—adding courses and more dish options can elevate the experience.

“A plated dinner treats you and your guests to an elevated level of service, while allowing conversation to flow uninterrupted among your friends and loved ones,” notes Josh Cunningham, a Lead Planner at Vibrant Table. “Pre-setting the first course is a wonderful way to let your guests begin enjoying the reception while they await your grand entrance. Sit back, relax and let your catering company cater to you!”

Photo: Sweetlife Photography

MOSTLY TWOS: BUFFET

A traditionally low-stress option that can really make a splash, a buffet involves a display of self- serve food options, often all from the same or a similar menu. Guests can load up on plenty of options or grab a ton of their favorite dish.

“We love a buffet!” says Lauren Carr, Owner of Artemis Foods. “Guests can choose from a variety of dishes, which helps meet different preferences and dietary needs. Setting up several double-sided buffets allows guests to move through quickly, transitioning the reception smoothly into the ‘party’ portion of the event. It’s also less work for the bride and groom, as it eliminates the need for place cards at the tables.” Even though it’s lower maintenance, adding small touches like elegant chafing dishes, personalized signage or mini “tasting flights” appetizers can bring a bit of flair, creating a memorable—and delicious—experience for everyone.

Photo courtesy of Artemis Foods

MOSTLY THREES: FAMILY STYLE

In the same vein as a plated meal, with family style, each table is served their dishes. However, with this service option, everything is oversized and shareable. Friends and family pass around each serving dish, like they would at Thanksgiving dinner, and serve themselves.

“Personally, I love the concept of family-style dining because it encourages interaction,” explains Natalia Barwegan, Director of Happiness at Pearl Catering. “People tend to chat more as they pass dishes around, discussing what they liked, what they’d like to try and sharing their thoughts on the last dish they tried. It creates a more social and personable atmosphere for the guests. Plus, there’s no denying that a table full of food is so beautiful!”

MOSTLY FOURS: STATIONS

Also called “activations,” this type of service is similar to a buffet. The main difference lies in the presentation: Instead of a smorgasbord of choices, stations will often follow a particular food theme (such as sushi or pasta), with attendants ready to serve the food in an artful way.

This style can add a customized wow-factor to your reception, elevating your guests’ experience instantly—from ice bars presenting chilled seafood dishes to a live meat carver making a show out of serving a delicious roast. Talk with your caterer or specialty food provider about their options and pick what speaks to you as a couple. The best part? You don’t have to stick with one style. If you’re a pasta fanatic but your other half is pushing for Dim Sum, serve them both!

Photo: John Valls

MOSTLY FIVES: FOOD TRUCKS

Calling in a fleet of food trucks takes a lot of the pressure off—once you’ve booked your favorite local trucks to pull up and serve (for this type of service, it’s best if you’re hosting an outdoor reception), you’re done! Note: Most trucks provide disposable dishes and utensils, so if you want more durable options, chat with your planner. China, chargers and flatware are an excellent, and relatively simple, way to elevate a food truck dinner reception. Host long tables with crisp linens and your arrangement of choice—whether flowers, candles, trinkets or a mix—to create a polished look.

A food truck reception can also operate much like one with stations (see above) by way of personalization. It’s also a great way to involve favorite local businesses: You never needed the fancy Filet Mignon dinner (though we hear some trucks offer that!) to host a dazzling event, maybe you just needed tacos from your go-to shop on the corner and some mouth-watering burger options from that new place across town.

Photo: Evrim Icoz