Family Style Service

My FH's sister had family style and if I remember correctly (it was almost 3 years ago), the tables had large lazy susans so that the food choices were placed on the lazy susan which was then spun (slowly!) and people took turns from whichever dish was in front of them.

That sounds cool. Did she have a centerpiece in the middle?

I'm not sure if I would put a centerpiece on a table if I was doing family style service. The food & the presentation would be the actual centerpiece - wouldn't want to 'clutter' the table.

I honestly don't remember. Sorry. :-/

@Jenna, I was thinking the same thing but after the food is cleared the tables are completely bare...that's my only concern with not having a centerpiece at all. Plus our venue is a tented carriage house with chandeliers and lighting throughout the fabric-draped ceiling so the lighting is really dim. Candles are a must-have.

I like it.

I don't like family style because some people don't have manners and are unsanitary about taking food from communal vessels. If you're ok with it, then maybe you could serve dessert family-style too by having a cake for each table. Then it wouldn't be so empty, and you wouldn't have to splurge on table decorations. I would be careful about candles when food is being passed; if you have them, make sure that they can't easily be knocked over (maybe have them in heavy, oversize vases?).

I think the rule of thumb is two feet per guest for family style. I really wanted to do this, but the venue could only do buffet.

This is similar to what she had I think. Only, the table was covered, and our plates were much closer to the lazy susan, so either the lazy susan was bigger or our tables were smaller. http://www.nerdygaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/TableSetting.jpg

Maybe you can do something similar to this with the rose petals instead of a centerpiece? http://www.stjohnweddingplanner.com/wp-content/gallery/wedding-flowers/orange-table-setting.jpg

Oh, here's a good one: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8GpNfyjrVYY/Tbt6NOfACII/AAAAAAAALo8/8_MFs7zjE80/s1600/IMG_4712.JPG

I would love to do lazy susans but I can imagine that's just another rental from the catering company, which is already costing an arm and a leg

Ah. Why does that pesky thing called money always get in the way of our plans?

A 48" table would leave you with a 24" lazy susan. My mother has a 60" table with a 40" lazy susan and the plates just fit without hitting the lazy susan. I would want to see this first if it was my venue using this.

JABride0000,

You could possibly squeeze all of the food onto the table. If you are doing more than 1 entree/sides at the tabe it could get a bit tight. Have you considered having the salad plated for each guest at the table and cleared prior to the entrees being brought out?

Could you work the candles into the centerpiece to save on space?

@Vertigo Catering:

Yes, the salad will be plated...only entrees and sides will be in the center of the table. The 2 entrees are chicken and beef and will likely be on the same platter and refreshed when it is running low. I'm hoping my caterer can mock up a table for me to see before I decide on centerpieces. She has done family style before at this venue with these tables, so I'm hoping it will go smoothly...I just can't envision it all fitting. She mentioned using tiered stands to make it work and replenishing small platters often to cut down on the bulky big platters.

What do you mean by working the candles into the centerpiece?