There’s something special about passing a platter of food around the table with the people you love most. If you’ve attended a big family dinner where everyone shares from the same dishes and the conversation flows just as freely as the flavor, you already understand the magic of collective dining experiences. That special warmth is exactly what makes family style wedding food such a wonderful choice for your wedding catering plans.
The Best Family Style Wedding Food Ideas for Your New Orleans Wedding
From the rehearsal to the reception, family style wedding food ideas are one of the biggest trends in wedding catering right now, and for good reason. Rather than a formal plated dinner where everyone receives the same plate or a buffet where guests wait in line, family style service brings generous platters of food directly to each table. Guests pass dishes around, serve themselves, and share with the people seated beside them. It’s communal, it’s inviting, and it creates the kind of atmosphere where guests feel like they’re part of something rather than just attending it.
For couples planning a wedding in New Orleans, family style service is a natural fit with local culture. Our city’s food culture has always been about gathering around the table, sharing big pots of gumbo, and making sure everyone gets a taste of everything. A family style wedding dinner takes that same spirit and brings it into the heart of your reception.
Why Couples Are Choosing Family Style Service
One of the biggest reasons couples are gravitating toward family style is the atmosphere it creates; when food is passed around the table, people talk to each other and bond over shared bites. According to popular wedding planning resource The Knot’s guide to a family-style wedding dinner, this style of service allows guests to stay seated while sharing dishes together, creating a more relaxed and social dining experience.
This open, communal dialogue allows guests to recommend dishes to one another, comment on flavors, and bond over shared bites. It breaks the ice in a way that other service styles simply don’t, which is especially helpful when you’re bringing together two families (who may be meeting for the very first time).
From a practical standpoint, family style meals tend to move more quickly than a buffet since guests stay seated while the food comes to them. That means more time on the dance floor and less time waiting in line.
Family style service also allows you to offer more variety without the formality of a multi-course plated dinner. Instead of choosing one entree per guest, you can serve several dishes at each table, giving everyone the chance to try a bit of everything. This is great for couples who can’t narrow down their menu. Besides, with New Orleans cuisine on the table, why would you want to?
1. Hors d’Oeuvres to Kick Things Off
Before the main platters hit the table, consider kicking off the evening with passed hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour. These small bites set the tone for the meal to come and give guests something to enjoy while you’re taking photos or having a private moment with your new spouse. You may also want to consider setting up a grazing table for added flair.
Some crowd-pleasing options that pair well with a family style dinner include Louisiana crabmeat ravigote with cucumber and crispy shallots, smoked duck with cherry-pecan compote, and Creole spiced grilled eggplant with citrus aioli and crispy garlic. These bites offer big New Orleans flavor in a format that’s easy to enjoy while mingling. Mini crab cakes and crawfish pies are also popular choices that give out-of-town guests an immediate introduction to the flavors they’ll be enjoying all night long.
2. Adding an Oyster Bar
If you want to take your family style wedding food ideas to the next level, consider adding an oyster bar to your reception. Oysters are a defining part of New Orleans cuisine, and an oyster bar—featuring both raw and chargrilled options—gives your wedding a unique, local touch that guests will talk about long after the event.
An oyster bar works beautifully alongside a family style dinner because it offers a separate experience for guests to enjoy, during the cocktail hour before guests are seated for their family-style meal. You can also expand the raw bar with add-ons like marinated Louisiana crab claws, jumbo Gulf shrimp cocktail, or Gulf seafood ceviche.
3. Main Course Family Style Wedding Food Ideas
When it comes to the main event, your family style wedding food ideas should include a mix of proteins, starches, and vegetables served on large platters at each table. A good rule of thumb is to plan for two protein options, two sides, and a salad.
For protein, shrimp and grits with charred tomato cream is a New Orleans classic that looks gorgeous on a shared platter and tastes even better. Chicken bonne femme — game hen roasted with mushrooms, bacon, potatoes, garlic, and herbs — is another option that feels celebratory and comforting at the same time. For couples who want a premium option, consider adding a food station alongside the family style platters.
Pair your proteins with sides like roasted seasonal vegetables, such as a Louisiana strawberry and baby arugula salad with pickled fennel and pepper jelly vinaigrette. These sides add color and variety to the table and give vegetarian guests plenty of satisfying options.
4. Don’t Forget the Drinks
A great meal deserves great drinks to accompany it. If your venue allows outside bar catering, pairing your family style dinner with a curated bar experience can tie the whole evening together. Think classic New Orleans cocktails like Sazeracs, Vieux Carrés, and Pimm’s Cups alongside beer and wine selections. For guests who prefer something non-alcoholic, thoughtful mocktail options are a welcoming touch that makes everyone feel included.
Tips for Planning Your Family Style Menu
As you’re pulling together your family style wedding food ideas, here are just a few considerations to keep top of mind:
- Talk to your caterer early. Family style service requires thoughtful planning around portion sizes, table setup, and timing. The earlier you start the conversation, the more options you’ll have.
- Think about dietary needs. One of the advantages of family style is that you can serve vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes right alongside other options, so guests with dietary restrictions don’t feel singled out. Make sure your menu includes enough variety that everyone has something to enjoy.
- Consider your venue. Family style service requires table space for the platters, so round or farmhouse style tables with enough room for shared dishes work best. Your caterer can help you figure out any relevant logistics and venue restrictions.
- Schedule a tasting. Before committing to your menu, taste the food! A tasting lets you experience the dishes as your guests will and make adjustments before the big day.
Planning Your Family Style Wedding Food with Elysian Events Catering
If you’re excited about the idea of having family style wedding food filled with fresh, locally inspired New Orleans cuisine, we’d love to help you bring that vision to life. At Elysian Events Catering, we offer family style service alongside our buffet, plated, and station options, all featuring the Cajun and Creole flavors that make a New Orleans wedding unforgettable.
Get in touch with our team to start planning your menu. Fill out our contact form or call us at (504) 541-0091. We can’t wait to hear about your big day!
