So before you start the food tasting, the first decision to be made about the food is what style of meal to have:

• formal meal with waiters
• sit down buffet (fork buffet)
• standing buffet (finger buffet)

This decision should  really depend on the style of wedding that you are having, a very formal wedding should have a formal meal not a finger buffet!

Hotels and restaurants usually provide sit-down meals for wedding receptions although many will provide a buffet if requested.

Formal Meal

When choosing the menu it important to choose items which most people will find acceptable rather choosing the more exotic dishes in the hope of impressing guests. Safe dishes include soup, chicken, roast meats and vegetables while. For dessert fruit salad or apple pie are acceptable. Hotels and restaurants may offer a choice of two three choices for each course but they will charge extra for the service.

Guests should notify hosts when accepting invitations if they require vegetarian or special diets.

Sit-Down Buffet

The sit-down buffet allows is less expensive than a formal meal but allows you to determine the seating plan and guests are ensured a table place. Guest usually serve themselves from the buffet and then return to their places. Because a variety of foods is on offer to guests some experimental or exotic items can be included with the standard buffet items of cold meats, vol au vents, salads, sausage rolls, canapes, sandwiches etc.

Hot food can also be included in a sit down-buffet. Dishes which guests can easily help themselves to include curries with rice, pasta with sauce and casseroles.

Standing Buffet

This is the most informal eating style. The food is normal laid at one end of the room and at the appointed time guests help themselves. Because at least some of the guests will be standing while eating they will not be able to use cutlery and therefore the foods should be suitable for eating with the hands. Clips are available for attaching glasses to plates. This frees one hand for picking up food.

Some seating should be provided. Although guests do not have set places most people will want to sit for at least some of the time at the reception, particularly if they are elderly.

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