Every wedding reception and party, of course, has delicious food. There is not one right way to serve a meal to your guests, but there are certainly ways to make it fun. Buffets or “station style” meals are the go-to for a more relaxed atmosphere at a reception, and are easy to set up for any party.
Want to give your guests a meal that they remember for events to come? Check out these food station ideas! These could all serve as the main meal, or be used as a fun addition to an entree.
Snacks and Sides
1. Mashed Potato Bar
Mashed or baked, or even both! Have the potatoes hot and ready, then serve with toppings like butter, cheese, bacon bits, pulled pork, chives, sour cream, ranch; anything you’d want with yours! Serve in plastic martini glasses for an elevated feel.
2. Mac and Cheese Bar
Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? Have your mac and cheese prepped, then pair with toppings like diced tomatoes, chicken, extra cheese, and fun sauces to add on top. Serve again in plastic martini glasses or concession food floats for a backyard feel.
3. Pretzel Bar
Pretzels are a crowd pleaser at any event. There are dozens of creative ways to display the twisted dough—hanging them on hooks or peg boards really help them stand out. Cook them plain and let your guests choose from an array of salts, cheese sauces, mustards, or make them sweet with cinnamon sugar, chocolate fondue, and frostings.
Main Course
4. Brunch Bar
We’ve all had breakfast for dinner; just because the sun has set doesn’t mean you have to stray away from brunch foods! Feed your guests a full course of chicken and waffles, fruit salad with yogurt, hashbrowns, eggs, and pastries. They’ll certainly be in the mood to party the night away after they eat
5. Pasta Bar
There are too many good pastas to just serve one kind. Let your guests choose which they want, or let them create their own! Prep as many different pasta noodles as you wish; penne, spaghetti, and rigatoni are classics. Serve with grilled chicken, breaded chicken, and meatballs, with alfredo, marinara, and pesto sauces ready to be poured on top. Finish with cheese, chives, tomatoes, and any other veggies. A salad bar on the side would pair perfectly!
6. Pizza Bar
Another crowd favorite. You can do this a couple of different ways. First, you can request as many flavors as you like from a caterer, such as hot honey pepperoni, five cheese, supreme, chicken bacon ranch, and veggie for your guests to choose from. Or you could have personal-sized cheese pizzas (ready in custom to-go boxes) with all the toppings ready to go on top. Pair with a salad or cheese sticks on the side!
Desserts
7. S’mores Bar
For something other than cake, bring your guests together over a fire! Have the classic ingredients of graham crackers, marshmallows, and Hershey chocolate, as well as inventive ones like fudge striped cookies, chocolate graham crackers, Reese’s Cups, and flavored marshmallows.
8. Ice Cream Bar
This is perfect for a summer party (just be mindful of where you serve it and how early you put the ice cream out). Provide your guests with the classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, either straight from the carton or soft serve. Leave toppings like sprinkles, crushed Oreos, frosted animal cookies, M&M’s, gummy bears, fruits, and of course, chocolate and caramel syrups. Don’t forget the whipped cream and cherries!
Drinks
9. Soda Bar
Flavored and dirty sodas are all the rage. Keep your guests happy with a soda bar to make their own. Keep the classic sodas, then provide all the syrup flavors! Cherry, vanilla, chocolate, coconut, strawberry, blue raspberry, lime, and so many more. Serve in customized cups and matching straws that your guests can take home.
10. Mimosa Bar
Mimosas are easy drinks to prep for a big crowd. Let your guests make their own with fun flavored champagnes and an array of fruit to throw in the mix. You don’t have to stop at orange juice either. Have pineapple, cranberry, or even apple juice ready as the base.
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