The
sit-down dinner
A formal, sit-down dinner is the most traditional fare, but it can also
be the most expensive. As well as organizing table settings for all your
guests, you are likely to serve them three courses, along with coffee and
wedding cake and, of course, wine and champagne! Along with a well-planned
menu, a sit-down dinner requires a number of waiting staff.
Of course there are many benefits of sitting down to a lovely dinner. Firstly,
all your guests will have a set place to sit, so people who don't know
many others won't feel left out. And, if you're having a large number of
guests, a sit-down, silver service dinner can be significantly less chaotic.
The fork buffet
Somewhere in between a formal, silver service dinner, and a finger buffet
is a fork buffet. This basically allows guests to help themselves to
a variety of hot and/or cold food from a buffet, and then sit at a
formal table setting to eat. It's a great idea - allowing guests to
have more of a decision in what they eat, but still retaining the formality
of beautifully set tables and a seating plan. Instead of a single buffet
area, how about having various 'food stalls'? Each of these could serve
a different course, or a different type of
food. If you're a fan of Asian food, for example, you might have an Indian
food stall, a Japanese food stall and a Thai food stall!
The finger buffet
With a finger buffet, guests don't require cutlery and are free to mingle
and eat at the same time. The food might include things like tasty
canapés, delicate sandwiches, individual pastries and dips.
This is a less expensive option but there are certain things to consider.
If you are having a relatively long day, it's not ideal to expect people
to stand for the duration. Some people, especially more elderly guests,
will want to sit while they eat, regardless of whether the food requires
cutlery or not. A well organized reception with a finger buffet should
still offer some seating around tables for those who wish to rest their
legs!A slightly more glamorous way of wording this type of reception
is to call it a cocktail and canapé party! If you do choose
to serve only delicious canapés, make sure you have excellent
caterers who pride themselves in stylish presentation and tasty bites,
and that
you serve a substantial amount of food.
The alternatives
There is really nothing to stop you serving whatever you like -
it's your special event after all! Barbecues, picnics, afternoon tea
and brunch are all great for whatever occasion.
And finally...
Whatever menu you choose, there are certain things that must always be
taken in to consideration. Firstly, your guests. If you're inviting a
lot of children or elderly guests, it's probably not the time to experiment
with a spicy Thai menu. You should always ask guests to let you know
of any dietary requirements, from vegetarian to nut allergies, and be
sure to cater for them.