As you dive into event planning, you quickly realize that there are different ways to serve your dinner, and all of them create unique moods. One of the most popular ways to serve meals for social events is family-style, and we absolutely love this service style. It’s the perfect balance between elegant and casual, allowing your event to feel both elevated and comfortable.
Family-style dinner service is when platters of food are placed in the centre of all guest tables, and the seated guests serve themselves by passing platters from person to person. It allows guests to choose their own portion size and opt out of foods they may not want, while also being able to stay seated, unlike with buffet-service.
A benefit to family-style service is that it creates a sense of community, as family-style service mimics family dinners at home when food is placed on beautiful platters in the centre of the table for the holidays.
On the logistical side, family-style service ensures guests can eat at their own pace, and that all guests are served at almost the same time, allowing your evening’s schedule to run more smoothly. There’s nothing more frustrating for a guest table than watching other guests already finishing their plated meals when they haven’t even been served yet.
So when is the right time to choose family-style service?
We love this style for most social events like bridal showers, birthdays, baptisms, engagement parties, and more. This service-style can also elevate corporate luncheons, and make evening parties cozier.
When is family-style not the best option?
While any event can support family-style service, there are times when opting for buffet or plated-service is better.
Events where guests can come and go, when you’re looking to give guests many options, or events where a casual meal would feel best would be best suited to buffet-style service. This type of meal service is most often booked for all-day corporate meetings, some celebrations of life, and laidback bridal showers.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, formal or fancy events are almost always plated, as that service style sets the tone for a more elevated event. These events would include corporate galas, some engagement parties, and weddings.
While there are typical scenarios where certain styles are chosen over others, we encourage you to consider family-style service for your next event. Guests love this style! For more information about booking a social event with us, contact us. We’d love to host your next event!