These days, there are tons of ways to feed your wedding guests other than a traditional sit-down dinner. You can opt to have a buffet or a food station, allowing guests that chance to feast on scrumptious dinner options while helping you keep wedding costs low. You already know that weddings can be quite costly, so saving money anywhere can be very beneficial to your overall wedding budget. The biggest costs of a wedding are usually associated with the reception, with meals being one of the most expensive parts. Formal plate service adds to your wedding budget since you’re paying for the food and the wait staff.
Food stations are a great idea because it not only saves money on wait staff but also allows for a more casual vibe that allows guests to mingle more with others while in line to serve themselves. Food stations group each type of dish by type and are spread out around the reception room, whereas a buffer is offered on one table. The benefit of choosing a food station over a traditional buffer is that it allows for more mobility and congestion.
Depending on the food station you choose, you’ll have a chef or employee standing over one group, preparing the food and serving it to guests. Food stations allow for guests to come and go as they please instead of being stuck at a table the entire night.
Another great thing about food stations at your wedding is that you can customize the food t your taste. You can opt to have two or more different cuisines instead of just one option. Many couples like offering a variety of meal options for guests, which is why food stations are a wonderful choice! It’s also more trendy and modern, which is why many younger couples like food stations. Each station can even have its own theme or décor, allowing it to fit right into the rest of the wedding station.
If you’re thinking about opting for food stations for your wedding, here are some ideas that will amaze your guests:
1.Taco Bar
Who doesn’t love tacos! #TacoTuesday is popular for a reason and it’ll be a huge hit at your wedding, too. A taco bar food station can allow guests to build their own tacos. Simply provide a variety of different meat options (chicken and beef are usually the most popular ones), and then offer a variety of sides so they can create tacos that fit their preferences. Just make sure that the toppings you choose aren’t dripping with sauce, grease or are too messy since guests can easily drop food on themselves (but really, this is true of any meal). Be sure to provide the basics like rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, guacamole, cilantro, and tomatoes. You can also have a vegetarian option by having grilled tofu or a vegetable medley they can use inside their tortillas or taco shells.
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Tapas Bar
Tapas are very popular right now and they are great if you’re having a cocktail hour at your wedding. Things like fried olives, various cheeses, chorizo, garlic shrimp, empanadas and the like are all delicious options to include in your tapas food station. Don’t forget to pair the selection with some Spanish wines for a more authentic feel! Your guests will delight in such unique food options and it’ll be a favorite food station at your wedding.
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Pizza Bar
Everyone loves pizza and a pizza food station at your wedding will be a bit hit! But to make it fancier than it sounds, opt to have a rustic pizza food station. You can serve guests slices from a personal pizza, making it the perfect option to satisfy guests’ palate if you’re offering other food station choices. You can opt to have traditional pepperoni and cheese pizzas, as well as fancier items like Margherita pizza or even an Alfredo pizza. But the best thing about a pizza bar is that you can customize it to your likings, adding an assortment of toppings.
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Thai Bar
Thai food is a popular cuisine among many and if it’s something you and your fiancé love to eat, why not add it to your wedding’s menu as a food station? It’s actually a very cost-effective menu choice that will delight guests and their taste buds. There’s something for everyone and as long as you label the food, guests will be able to try some favorites and other new items they might have never had before. You can also opt to have various food stations featuring Asian foods for a cohesive menu theme. Just clearly label food dishes that are hot and spicy to warn guests!
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Mediterranean Bar
A Mediterranean Bar is a healthy foods station option to have at your wedding. You’ll be able to add things like warm pitas with spreads to dip them in, as well as hummus and other Mediterranean favorites. It’s great for couples of Greek or Middle Eastern descent given it’ll comprise of familiar food choices their families will thoroughly enjoy.
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Cheese and Charcuterie Station
A special cheese and charcuterie food station are perfect if you’re having a wedding at a winery. You just need to select a variety of cheeses and then add in some meat options for the perfect station that will pair well with wine. Once you’ve figured out the cheese and meats, you can select the different spreads like honey, fig, and mustards, as well as additions like nuts, olives, and fruits.
Once you’ve chosen what sort of food stations you’d like to have, just make sure to check with the caterer about additional costs for having the station manned or replenishing the food. But if you do choose food stations, it’ll make seating so much easier to plan. You won’t have to worry about having certain people sit away from each other since there’s no table service. You can even skip a seating chart altogether with a food station at your wedding!