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                                     A l a s k a B r i d e & G r o o m  2024  4 1 as if at their own dinner table. With this style of catering service, guests are seated like with a plated meal and multiple trays of food are placed in the center of the table for guests to pass around and serve themselves. Pros:• This way of eating brings an ease and familiarity and it encourages conversation between family and strangers alike.• You can offer a larger variety, aiding to dietary restrictions and picky eaters.• No waiting for guests to finish going through a buffet or station line.Cons:• Platters will take up a lot of the space that might otherwise have been used for your centerpieces and decor, so you’ll need to either cut way down on those, or you’ll need to rent larger tables (i.e. added cost). (If elaborate table runners, florals and votives are your tablescape vision, this may not the service style for you.)• Guests are serving themselves and having to pass around trays of food, so there can be a bit of fumbling around with serving utensils. • You will need large quantities of platters, bowls, and serving utensils which may mean a high rental cost.Stations/Heavy Hors d’OeuvresHors d’oeuvres are a great option if you have a crowd that likes to mingle and doesn’t like to sit still. Food tables are placed throughout the reception to eliminate long lines. When offering stations/heavy hors d’oeuvres, you will want to have a variety of options for guests, from seafood and beef to vegan and gluten free.Pros:• Opting for an assortment of small bites rather than a full meal creates a fun, cocktail-party vibe. Plus, people are free to grab a bite whenever they like.• This idea can offer huge cost savings if you choose the right hors d’oeuvres. It can look very luxurious and still be quite filling.• A great way to incorporate you and your partner’s favorite cuisines or foods.Cons:• Some guests have never experienced a cocktail reception and may be expecting a full dinner meal; therefore, be sure to mention it on your invitations.• For stations to work effectively, you will need to spread them out and explain to guests that they are intended to dine small-plate style and come back for seconds and thirds. If guests don’t understand this style, dinner can feel a bit awkward and confusing.• Requires food to be open longer as guests tend to eat in a more casual, time-consuming fashion. Weddings are a time of celebration, and food is often at the center of the festivities. Looking for ways to make your wedding meal unique and memorable? Here are some of the latest food and drink trends for your big day.Wedding Food & Drink TrendsComfort foods – with a Twist: Comfort food is getting a gourmet makeover at weddings. Couples are opting for dressed-up versions of their childhood favorites, such as mini grilled cheese sandwiches on top of tomato soup shooters, gourmet sliders and fancy pop tarts. These fun nostalgic dishes offer a touch of familiarity with a sophisticated twist.Locally Sourced: More and more couples are choosing to use locally sourced ingredients to not only highlight the local cuisine and showcase the flavors of the region but also help support local food and drink producers. Some popular locally sourced ingredients include farm-to-table vegetables, fish, artisan cheeses, beer and spirits, and locally raised meats.Cocktail & Mocktail Bars: Creative and craft cocktails will be a highlight at receptions. Couples are curating signature cocktail menus inspired by their favorite drinks or ingredients. Mocktails, too, have been rising to the top of bar menus. This year, look for trendy mocktails such as fruit-infused spritzers, herbaceous mock-mojitos, and even mocktail shooters and shots as a fun twist on this trend. Drink Walls: Party-goers love a unique serving station and the latest drink walls are a clever way to catch their attention. Hang champagne flutes or other drinks directly on the wall for guests to come and go as they please. Whether you buy, rent or build a wall, you can customize them to match your wedding theme or colors.Interactive Food Stations: Food is becoming an interactive experience at weddings. Couples are incorporating DIY food stations and even cooking demonstrations to engage guests. From build-your-own tacos to gourmet pizza bars where you can pick every ingredient, guests enjoy exploring a variety of flavors and customizing their own plates. Dessert Stations: Wedding desserts are taking center stage, with couples opting for dessert assortments instead of traditional tiered cakes. These displays feature everything from minipies, cheesecake, tarts, brownies, doughnuts and macarons to dessert shooters and makeyour-own ice cream stations.
                                
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