Family Style Dinner?

I have never been to a wedding that did this, but I think I would like it actually. I have gone to restaurants like this and have enjoyed the style. Choice is always nice, but I often dislike buffets because of the wait and there isn't always much left if you are near the end. I think family style would be a nice compromise.

The only logistical things I can think of are

- Table space. You'll need to keep your tables pretty sparse in terms of centerpieces and favors, etc to have room for the dishes

- I have no idea about this, but just a thought catering might be more expensive since more serving dishes/utensils will be needed. That might be silly though.

- You'll have to be doubly careful about allergies and cross contamination. I would just make sure that if anyone has any serious allergies that those food items are not even served.

I was thinking about table space too. For center pieces we are doing a small lantern surrounded by flowers and about 4 small candles. It's all pretty simple. I'm not too sure about the cost though. FHs aunt is catering the wedding (she owns her own catering company and has catered many weddings) and is giving us a deep discount, so even if we paid a bit more it wouldn't be too much. I do like your point about cross contamination. As of now, I know o have a few people who are gluten free and vegetarian. There should be no cross contamination between those. I'm not too sure about severe food allergies (it depends if my cousin can make it), but I will probably ask for hers to be prepared separately. Thank you!

We actually started selling this about 10 years ago; I love it! We used to do a plated salad, then a family style dinner, the a plated dessert. You do need to find a caterer that is familiar with this style of service (for a group your size, with 20 tables, we're looking at 60-80 platters of mains and sides, ready to go virtually at once....) and has the equipment to do it. One way we got around the 'everything needs to be hot at once" dilemma, was to do a room temp grilled veggie platter as one of the sides, which always went over like crazy.

I think it's a lot of fun! Go for it!

I'm not planning one for my wedding, but I was at a wedding a couple months ago where they did family style. I think it could have been better. They didn't have enough food in each dish and by the time the potatoes got to me and FH, there was nothing left. This happened with a couple other dishes too. And the servers never came back to check on us, so we had to try to flag someone down to get more food.

That being said, the food at this wedding was done by volunteers, not a professional catering company. So that's probably why there were logistical issues... lol.

I would also check with your venue you will need larger tables to accommodate family style, you will have anywhere from 3-5 large dishes of food on the table plus plates and utensils of the guests sitting there. But i think if you can make it work family style is great you still get to pick and choose what you want to eat without the long wait of a buffet.

My sister did her reception dinner family style. I can't recall all the details, as this was about 14 years ago, but I they had multiple bowls & trays of the salads, breads, meats, etc. spaced along the long rectangle tables. Some guests liked it, some didn't, but over all it worked out well!

We are doing family style at our wedding. We picked it because it seemed the best of both worlds. We hate standing in line at a buffet and having some guests done eating before others get their food. We wanted people to get what and in the quantities that they want. We did find a caterer that is very experienced and was proud to quote us their short amount of time it takes to get plates to everyone and that they take pride in everyone having plenty to eat. I have never been to a wedding that has done family style do I'm super hoping it is well received by our guests!

I'm so honored to have the "Celia stamp of approval!" Haha. Thank you all for your responses, I'll definitely talk to the caterer to make sure she has some experience with this. And I'll also have to look over our meal to see if we can make some tweaks to make the service easier. I am also concerned about people taking too much and not leaving enough for everyone else, but I will make sure (if I do this) to ask to have servers circulating and checking in on each table.

We did family style and most of the weddings we have been to recently have been family style. I prefer this way because I can go back for seconds on things I like and also try a little of everything. But you have to make sure to have smaller centerpieces so there is room for the extra plates on the table. But I really prefer the family style, as a guest. When dinner is plated, there are always people served way after others at the same time and it's awkward. And I hate buffet because I hate waiting in line. Plus, I'm afraid to take as much of something as I want in fear of not leaving enough for the last people in line. Family style solves all of those issues.

I've only been to one family style dinner reception in my life. My experience was similar to Caroline's and Spazzy's. By the time some of the food got to us, there was barely anything left in several bowls (and there were no servers that came back to check on anyone or replenish the empty serving pieces). That didn't make me blame the couple or the caterer -- I was more annoyed by the food hogs who really didn't care if the amount they took was appropriate (but, full disclosure, it was a table full of strangers).

I went to a huge wedding (300-350 guests?) a few years ago that did a family-style dinner at the reception. I loved it and we didn't experience any of the issues others here have mentioned.

My brother and SIL did this at their wedding, and it was good. I was at the head table so I didn't get the full experience, as we were not seated at a round, but there were servers who checked on the tables to see whether they needed any of the dishes replenished. From some of the stories above, it sounds like this is key to making the whole thing work well!

I've been to and am having my wedding family style as well. I think over a buffet line having family style is the better option. My one question and don't know if you would have the same dilemma or concern is I planned on not wasting money on menus, but we are having 3 different main courses and not sure if I should now do menus? That way people know to pace themselves and not think only one entree will be for the whole table. Have you thought or are you doing menu programs?

It might be a good idea to do a combo of family style and buffet. Like, have the salad, rolls, and sides on the table family style and then have the main courses up at the buffet. This way the buffet line will go much faster and people won't get to take all the good stuff (since there should be plenty of sides and salad).

Nicole- if I do it, I might put a menu on the back of the table number. The table numbers I'm thinking of are double sided picture frames (99 cents from ikea). So I'm thinking of having one side be the table number and the other side be the menu.

It sounds like the key to this being successful is by having servers check in on each table. And a mix of buffet and family style might be interesting. I'd definitely need to think about it.

@Nicole C. The family style should be served with all of the 3 entrees coming to the table at the same time along with the sides.

I was really surprised when I came on WW and found out that Family Style wasn't the norm. My family weddings have been "Beef, Chicken, Pasta" since the 70's. On the same note, every time I would watch "4 Weddings" and see a buffet, I thought it was an awful idea.

I have been to several weddings that have had family style & it's awesome I love it & feel more comfortable with it. I would say if you like it then go for it!

We are doing a long buffet line & calling tables (of 10) up one or two at a time & we have about 10 or 11 tables right now. We don't want the long lines or for people to be knocking into others & what not.

@Brittany that's a good idea. I will definitely take note of that.

@Sharon&Brad the previous family style weddings I've been to have all passed out the entrees one at a time, they had their corresponding sides with each platter but each meat was served separately. Ill actually ask our venue (they are the ones catering as well) if they can do that though. I never thought about having them all come out at the same time, would alleviate any confusion. Thank you for that!

I've been to two wedding with this set-up and I enjoyed it at both. The only thing I'd caution you against is using candles. At one of the weddings, someone knocked it over while passing the food down the table and the table runner caught fire.

I've never been to a wedding that has done family style. But it does seem like a good option if the caterer is familiar with the style! I do hate waiting in line but the plated meals everyone said they'd rather do buffet because it's more food and you can choose what you want at that time.