We LOVE appetizers & heavy hors D’oeurves! This style of service screams FUN to your guests as well and brings in a culinary creativity, allowing you to include all your favorites. They do come with some considerations for your day and style. So the big question is are they for you?
Some things to consider: Seating & Set-up, Formalities, Pricing.
Seating: Stations don’t require all of your guests to have seats technically- this style of service is supposed to be more causal, they go up get a small plate, sit down and then go get another plate- not everyone is eating at the same time.
Set-up: When we do stations we don’t allow chargers at your tables- and actually don’t recommend a full table set-up, we will do a table set-up but you will spend more money on extra silverware because all stations have to have their own silverware and plates. Why we don’t allow chargers- it’s simple, heavy appetizers is for small plates and when chargers are present guests bring those up to the stations and overdue it and waste food. Stations also use a little more space- 2-3 different table set-ups, and we split them up to different areas to better spread your guests out through your room.
Pricing: Pretty commonly we find couples surprised that heavy appetizers & action stations are more expensive. The reason is you have to prepare a ton more items, all normally with different ingredients and different prep times. So it increased the Chef labor we bring on site to make it all happen, and have to buy more products then a buffet for example. Most Heavy Appetizers also have “action” chef stations- where a chef is making the items live- again this increased the labor.
Formalities : Stations food normally stays open for about an hour - an hour and a half. It is a little harder to get everyone seating as it is when doing a more traditional meal. I recommend doing
Why we love stations: You get to be CREATIVE and have multiple cuisine options for your guests. Heavy appetizers really allows you to be super creative with your menu- we can do a Street Taco Station, Thai Station & some Charcuterie! Throw in some passed appetizers and you can bring your guests all around the world with your menu!
Some of our favorite station ideas:
Photo by EpagaFOTO
Photo by: Still Standing Photography
Photo by Mon photography
Street Tacos
Thai Station
Italian Station
American Steakhouse
BBQ (I mean we are in KC)
Charcuterie
We hope this will help aid your decision on if this style of service fits your group!