Cocktail Style Dinner Service
A new trending service style with BW Studio couples is definitely “cocktail style dinner service”!! And we are absolutely here for it. Couples typically ask us how to pull it off and how to get their caterer to understand the vibe they are going for… so here are our tips & tricks.
When guests arrive, they are typically greeted with a welcome drink before the ceremony to let them know that tonight is going to be totally different than any typical weddings they’ve attended in the past! Then they are seated and the ceremony begins as usual (or not - that part is up to you two!!).
After a lovely ceremony, guests are welcomed to the bar or cocktail area for specialty drinks that the couple selects to feature while the catering team preps the first course of service. Oftentimes, catering will pass small appetizers during this time as well. Our recommendation is to always have food come out in waves throughout the evening, otherwise folks will start to get in big lines and try to create a traditional dinner/buffet atmosphere.
A first course of charcuterie or some sort of stationed shareable is always nice to bring guests into the main dining and event area. And we often have a first toast or welcome speech to get everyone excited about the remainder of the evening. The BW Studio team prefers to have the last person giving a toast mention the style of dinner service and let guests know they are welcome to mingle around the rest of the evening with no assigned seats.
Our team always recommends having enough seating for about 50-70% of your guests, but it can be different varieties of seating. Some standard larger tables with chairs for the groups of older family members that want to group up and chat at low volumes, but smaller groups and couples can sit at stools or high top tables.
High top tables with bar stools will encourage lighter eating and more mingling. A variety of lounge furniture with side tables and coffee tables for guests that just want to have a quick bite but mostly just sit to drink and talk with their friends is always a great idea. The variety helps create movement and keep people from sitting too long in one place.
Once guests have mingled and eaten for about 1.5-2 hours, our couples will often do their traditional wedding events like a first dance, formal cake cutting, or something to commemorate the evening! And then we wait about half an hour to an hour to bring out dessert or coffee stations.
Mixing a stationed dessert with passed options makes sure guests can stay on the dance floor and still not miss out on something sweet. If you have the ability to make these stations in other rooms and open up new areas of the venue to your guests, that’s always great too! The couple in this gallery had a special library they opened up for desserts and offered cake and espresso martinis while the dance floor was still bumping! Another venue we love, The Joinery, has a secret speakeasy lounge upstairs and it's perfect for a hidden dessert bar or late night snack.
The same level of planning and excitement goes for late night snacks! Gone are the days of soggy hot dogs from Portillos or pizzas sitting under a heat lamp. Work with your caterer to provide something fantastic direct to guests on the dance floor like fried cheese curds or crispy French fries! If you work with your caterer to provide these, you can ensure they are fresher and more enticing to your friends and family.
If you ever need more ideas on how to bring your cocktail style dinner reception to life, please let us know!! We can’t wait to chat about it.
Special thanks to this amazing vendor team:
Ceremony Venue: Fourth Presbyterian // Reception Venue: ZO Clubhouse // Cocktail Hour: Rivers Restaurant // Photo: Kevin Benavides Photography & Kate Shvedova // Video: Henthorn Media // Florist: The Flower Girl Company // Catering: Chef by Request // Cake: ECBG Cake Studio // Sweets: Chef by Request // Alcohol: Rivers Restaurant // Custom Drink Stirrers: Burlap and Twine Co // Entertainment: Bluewater Kings Band // Rentals: Tablescapes Event Rentals // Hair: George the Salon // Makeup: Beauty Paige // Dress: Ultimate Bride - Verdin // Rings: Fey & Co // Transportation: Way To Go // Hotels: The Westin // Planning: BW Studio + Events