Are you in the midst of wedding planning? If so, you may be wondering what kind of reception is most appropriate for you, your guests, and your budget.
In that case, Elysian Events is here to help! As a caterer with over a decade of experience, we know a thing or two about weddings, and we would love to transform your event. To learn more about types of wedding receptions and which is best for you, keep reading!
4 Main Types of Wedding Receptions
There are four main types of wedding receptions, each with its own unique pros and cons. No matter your event’s tone, size, budget, and theme, you’re certain to find an option to love! Let’s learn more about each type in detail.
Sit-Down Reception
Sit-down-style wedding receptions have long been considered the most traditional option. At a sit-down dinner, servers bring out each course of your guests’ meals at the same time as one would expect at a restaurant. This provides a clear-cut beginning and end to the meal and sets a luxurious, elegant tone. For those seeking a formal dining experience, this could be an ideal choice.
But the benefits go beyond elegance! Here are some other reasons to choose a sit-down wedding reception:
- Smooth Mealtime Flow: Since everyone is served at once, no guests will be left waiting for their food while others are served; everyone gets to enjoy their dinner at the same time. Plus, guests have already chosen their main and side dishes on their RSVPs, alleviating the stress of picking out their meal on the day of the celebration.
- Space Flexibility: At buffets, not everyone is eating at the same time which allows for less seating space at the event. Additionally, buffets require less kitchen space since there is no need to have a dedicated area to create individual plates.
However, there are some drawbacks to sit-down meals. Consider these factors:
- More Wedding Prep: In order to tally how many guests want each main course and side option, you will need to collect their answers through your wedding RSVPs, which will require a bit more planning in advance.
- Higher Catering Cost: Since you will be hiring servers to bring out each dinner course, catering will be more costly. As such, sit-down receptions are not the most budget-friendly option.
Buffet Reception
Buffets have quickly risen to prominence in the wedding scene. Buffets are ideal for producing a relaxed, casual atmosphere that is friendly to guests of all ages. Here are some more reasons to love them:
- Customizable Meals: Since a buffet offers so many options, every guest will be free to customize their dinner to their heart’s content. They can sample as many delectable dishes as they like while hand-picking their portion sizes.
- Budget-Friendly: Catering a buffet significantly lowers the amount of servers you will need for your event. Therefore, buffets are an excellent choice if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option while still desiring professional catering services.
With that said, buffets are not without their limitations. Keep these details in mind as well:
- Longer Wait Times: Not everyone can receive their food simultaneously since they have to go through the buffet line. This will require some patience from guests.
- Requires Serving Area: Setting up the buffet at your venue will require putting aside space in advance. This will limit the room you have for your dining tables and dance area.
Cocktail Reception
If you are seeking to introduce a laid-back, fun atmosphere at the reception, why not opt for a cocktail reception? Traditionally, a New Orleans style cocktail reception is a blend of passed hors d’oeuvres and some food stations so guests can eat at their own pace. Usually there will be enough seating for about half the guess and some high tables scattered throughout the venue. This allows people to still enjoy their eating experience but at their own pace.
Let’s review some of the other reasons to choose cocktail receptions:
- Encourage Mingling Between Guests: Gone are the restrictions of dining table assignments; cocktail receptions are all about walking around and chatting with different party guests. This allows your friends and family to easily break the ice and meet new people.
- Try Different Dishes: Hors d’oeuvres are tasty treats easily enjoyed in small portions. By choosing several different appetizers, your guests will be able to taste many different dishes.
Catering a cocktail reception, while innovative and relaxed, does have some drawbacks, such as the following:
- Small Portion Sizes: Hors d’oeuvres are designed explicitly with bite-sized portions in mind, but this means that they aren’t as filling as traditional multi-course meals. Guests with large appetites may go home feeling a bit hungry.
- Departure from Traditional Dining: Cocktail receptions aren’t as common as the aforementioned categories. Some guests may not be accustomed to wedding receptions, in which they are expected to be on their feet often to mingle and get more food. Additionally, shy guests may find the experience slightly overwhelming.
Brunch/Lunch Reception
Serving brunch or lunch at a reception typically falls under the sit-down or buffet categories. While brunch and lunch aren’t as typical for receptions, here are some reasons to explore this serving style:
- Less Costly Celebration: Hosting a reception earlier in the day is often cheaper than hosting in the evening. As a result, budget-conscious newlyweds may find that a brunch or lunch service is preferable to dinner.
- Offer Unique Catering: Holding a wedding brunch opens the door to a world of new flavors! There are so many brunch wedding ideas worth exploring for your reception (how about a waffle wedding cake?), allowing you to fully commit to the midday theme.
But that’s not all there is when it comes to brunch and lunch receptions. Keep these elements in mind as well:
- Smaller Portion Sizes: Similarly to cocktail receptions, your full meal will likely be smaller than a typical multi-course dinner. While this is great for one’s budget, it does mean the meal might be less filling.
- May Limit Bar Services: Since your event is taking place in the middle of the day, you may feel compelled to offer more limited bar services. Guests who are expecting a full bar at the reception could consider this a drawback.
Let Elysian Events Bring Your Reception to Life
No matter what types of wedding receptions you prefer, Elysian Events has your catering needs covered! While our wedding packages’ prices are based around buffet-style serving, we are happy to accommodate any reception style.
Are you ready to elevate your wedding with Elysian Events? We encourage you to contact us today, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
