The latest trend in weddings has been constant catering. Rather than a sit-down meal brides are opting for a steady stream of hors d’oeuvres. Is this right for you?

As with all wedding-related decisions this one comes down to the size of your guestlist and the location of your venue mostly. The sit-down dinner with options of chicken or beef seems to many brides to be a staple of an outdated tradition, but is it time to throw it out altogether?

We don’t recommend you leave your guests hungry though! Many modern brides are opting for never-ending hors d’oeuvres to give their guests a sampling of many different foods and flavors but without the formality of a sit-down meal. Passed plates will definitely give your wedding a much more casual feel which can be good or bad, depending on what you want. This “snacking” form of a meal will give guests the opportunity to socialize and mingle which could turn your wedding into the party of the year, but it might also be wearisome or insufficient. Timing is important in this method of catering, if your wedding takes place during a meal time (such as around noon or supper time) then many may feel it is inconsiderate to not serve a full meal.

Serving a full meal can be exhausting and expensive though. For the bride on a budget many catering companies will charge by the plate which could severely limit a guestlist. Of course, serving a sit down meal encourages its own kind of formality and atmosphere. Your wedding will feel more like a special occasion with menus and complete entrees. Planning tables, seating and centerpieces is a lot of work but the rewards can be many as you create an inviting and unforgettable event.

The decision may already be made for you by the size of your guestlist or the capabilities of your caterer, but if you have some flexibility timing and ambience are important considerations.

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