Definition: Stationed Dinner is one of the other four common dinner service styles. A stationed dinner is all about interactive dining, it’s a fun vibe and encourages a lot of mingling. I like to think of it as an extended and even better cocktail hour! Stationed Dinner style is where beautiful food displays are set up at various places around the venue, offering a variety of foods from a taco bar to oyster station and everything in between. This style takes the decision making off your plate and gives your guest the opportunity to build their own meal.
Practical Use + Tips: I usually recommend a minimum of three stations, this way your guest can spread out around the reception space and say “hi” to a friend or dance along the way! If all the stations are too close the lines can get long and they will start to move as one line and practically turn into a buffet.
A few other things to consider:
- Because this is an interactive style meal, keep in mind that your guest will need to be moving around and grabbing food on their own. Keeping the stations in the same room helps with flow and ensures your guests see each station.
- This style of service uses a lot of flatware- you will want to plan for extra plates and forks for each station.
- Making sure there is clear signage at each station helps with those dietary restrictions.
- Stations usually offer some kind of “build your own” component which makes it easier for guests to pick and choose what they want, again helping with those dietary restrictions!