Any tips for family style dinner?

I'm not a fan, but I've only been to one wedding that had it. I was in the bridal party and by the time the dishes of food got down to me there was barely anything left. My question would be do they refill the plates with more food or is it just one plate per table of that particular dish.

Make sure the servers are constantly keeping the dishes updated and full so everyone gets enough food. You'll probably need more than three servers for 10 tables with 6 dishes each to serve if you want people to eat at the same time.

Along the lines of Tara's question - how do you make sure there is enough at each table, in case the first person takes like three servings of chicken? Lol

I don't mind family style. Sometimes you will see a plated salad to start and then the rest family style and I do like that option.

That is definitely a concern but I made it clear to the caterer that I want more than enough food per table, so that that would hopefully not happen. Definitely something I will talk in more detail with them just to be sure! Thank you!

I hadn't thought about the idea of them refilling plates... But that might be necessary. And maybe I should look into having 1 server per 2 tables? Because I will also want them to be re-filling waters.

Ahh see you all already have my mind spinning with things I wasn't considering thank you!

Following. I'm doing family style and every now and then I get nervous that it's not going to work out well. But my caterer has done it many time before and will be constantly refilling the food.

I'm doing family style too and I think it's the best option. That way people can take what they want and I feel that there isn't as much waste. It's sad to see people just pick at a plated meal and throw away 85% of it. Especially at sometimes nearly $100 per plate! My venue does family style with prime rib and I'm only paying $57 per person, so I definitely think it's a more cost effective route to go.

I've been to several family style formal events and I love it. A good and experienced caterer will have a system for it to run smoothly.

I've been to a couple of wedding that served family style. I really liked it and never had an experience where there was not enough food for everyone. Plus it serves a bit faster than a plated dinner.

I love it, and we've done it a lot. We used to do a plated salad and dessert so not everything is family style.

BUT I don't think that's enough servers. They do have to take food to the tables and refill platters, but they also have to clear used plates, serve coffee, refill water and help in the kitchen. I'd personally feel better with four or five.

If your caterer can bring buspeople, who are usually a bit cheaper, then that would help with clearing.