So you’re planning your special day — first of all, congratulations! Obviously, there’s your budget to take into account, but be sure to also consider schedules, logistics, and of course your personal taste when planning your wedding and reception. More and more people are choosing a mix-and-match approach to which elements of a traditional wedding reception they incorporate. However, there remain six main types of receptions. 

Traditional Wedding Reception Sit Down Dinner

The first is the traditional sit-down dinner, where guests are served just as they would be in a restaurant. This can give your reception a more leisurely, personal feel, as it also offers the newlyweds a chance to greet everyone and express gratitude. 

With a traditional sit-down reception, the couple is typically required to secure the caterer beforehand and take any special diets of guests into account. This is where working closely with the caterer and the venue to bring your vision of your reception dinner to fruition comes into play. A sit-down dinner brings a formal affair element to your reception where you can offer a variety of options for your guests. 

Buffet Style Dinner

The buffet is also a popular option, as it allows more entrée variety and has chafing dishes to keep them warm. But with a buffet, you’ll have to take into account guests with a large appetite, so you don’t run out of anything. You’ll also have to make sure the buffet order runs smoothly, as guests can quickly become frustrated if they’re left waiting. This option also is very versatile as far as decorating for your special day. You can make the buffet line a focal point and dress it up with flowers, center pieces, etc. 

Food Stations Are A Great Option For Your Wedding Reception

With food stations, you can really let your personality shine through with each station taking on it’s own theme and strategically placed around the room. This helps spread out the guest traffic when they are getting their food. It’s a good opportunity to get creative with your decorations and offer your guests some less traditional, fun food options like mashed potato bars, ice cream sundae bars, sushi bars etc. There are some things to consider with this option, however. If there are a lot of guests, there could be crowding around certain stations and with more creativity and out-of-the-box food options, can mean more out-of-pocket expense. 

Bring On the Hors d’oeuvres and Cocktails!

Cocktail receptions can be fun and less expensive. It’s important that you have a steady flow of heavy hors d’oeuvres available for your guests because you want them to be satisfied. Often times, you have scheduled intervals where servers come around offering up delicious bites on trays as well as having stations strategically placed throughout the room. This option is great for off-site, small receptions as well as inhouse, larger scale events. It’s important to prepare guests ahead of time so they aren’t expecting a full-course meal. Another thing to consider is, perhaps you’re saving money on the food but in this type of setting, your bar bill might be a bit more expensive. 

Other options include:

• Lunch –This can be a less expensive option than a dinner event as guests usually eat smaller portions and drink less at a midday affair.
• Breakfast/brunch—This can be directly after a midmorning ceremony, especially if you’re having a Sunday morning wedding. 

So just how does one decide on the best option? The first step is finding the right venue. Marina del Rey offers beautiful views overlooking Long Island Sound, off-site catering options, and a great menu! We would love to discuss your wedding reception plans with you and give you more information on all the options we have. Once we know your budget and personal taste, we can better help you with the logistics of your reception. Contact Marina del Rey to get started today!