2020 Service Styles

We are really seeing couples opting for a light bite wedding breakfast, with their evening food options stealing the show. Bringing it back to street food and food stations, we are noticing our clients focusing all of their attention on their evening menus and even making this their main form of entertainment for the night...

Hannah Martin, Director, Goose & Berry

Interestingly enough, there's going to be an increase in snack-able buffet foods but with a twist. Rather than a couple of main offerings for the entree, we'll see mini versions of fan-favorites --- think fish tacos, stuffed egg rolls with dipping sauces, chicken or tofu strips, and more. This creates a kid-friendly place in your menu, and guests will be happy to have their choice of some amazing foods.

Trip Wheeler, President, SB Value

As 2020 rolls around, we find our guests looking forward to a sense of formality and harkening back to tradition. Therefore, we're calling plated service the go-to for 2020. While family style reigned in years past and buffet has always had its place, the simple elegance of a plated, full-service experience cannot be overstated.

Margot Jones, Owner, Purple Onion Catering

Tableside preparations, family style and plated will all be big, and we'll see more chef action at stations that is not just flambe or sauteing.

Jeremy Bronson, President /Owner, Occasions Catering

We keep seeing more cocktail style service ideas coming in. Essentially 4 cocktail hours, each one themed and unique. Think small plates from a specific genre at each course.

Many couples have relayed that narrowing down food to one service is so hard, so we just tell them to have waves of food. Quite a few really love it and deep down I think they also like that it will piss their parents off.

Brandon Snooks, Executive Chef & Owner, Farm to Fire by Hudson Valley BBQ Co

I think that family style service is going to take the forefront of both casual and elegant events. It offers a great hybrid of allowing guests to stay seated together at their tables and not have to walk up to a buffet, but without the pretentious reputation of plated dinner service. Our couples want their guests to be social and engage in every moment of t heir special evening.

Jamie Shaw, Senior Event Coordinator, Footers Catering

Sit down, plated meals are on the rise again. Presentation will be big - plates will have to look impressive. The food presentation will be part of the cohesive flow of each event.

Fausto Pifferrer, Owner, Blue Elephant Events and Catering