Trendy Food and Amusement Stations
By Polly Bibb
Food stations and amusement stations have become key components to the perfect celebration. These stations can light up a reception and accent the wedding décor. Each station can be unique and personalized to the couple’s taste setting it apart from any other wedding reception.
Every caterer I talked with agreed that food stations are “in.” They are hip, hot and a huge success. Wedding reception trends have moved away from the traditional sit-down dinner to a more relaxed and individualized occasion. Many brides are choosing food stations
for their receptions, and caterers are creating food station options in their menus to accommodate this trend. A Catered Affair and The Bake Shoppe of Nashville recently created a new menu with different food stations to accommodate their clients’ needs. According to Jan Burns and Maryann Hendrixson, co-owners of Joyful Creations, food stations come in a variety of themes and appeal to every kind of budget and crowd.
“Our top three food station orders for wedding receptions are an appetizer station, an Italian themed food station and a Southern station,” Burns says. “We make all of our food from scratch, and it is very fresh.”
The cost of food for a station can range anywhere from $18-$25 per person. In addition to appetizer-themed stations, Italian food stations and Southern food stations, there are hundreds of options to choose from, such as Hawaiian food stations, Asian food stations, hot dog stations for children, and many more. Food stations are more flexible than a formal sit down dinner, because guests can come and go as they wish. There is more variety in the menu and more choices for guests.
Taking another step, brides and grooms are upping the ante and bringing the colorful food to life with entertainment. Chefs are actually coming to receptions and cooking for the guests at the food station, while guests watch. Jill Cole, owner of Southern Events (a full-service party rental and event company), says that there are many creative ways food can be served, as well.
“Waiters are passing soup in martini glasses on trays,” Cole explains. “Caterers are serving a lot food in glassware. Food is on forks displayed upright as hors d’oeuvers lollipops.”
In addition, there is an increasing demand for different drink stations and dessert stations at receptions. Brides and grooms can choose to have a full bar station to accompany their food, or they may choose a themed drink station to accompany their themed food station.
One of the biggest hits is chocolate shot machines. Ribbons of Chocolate, a local caterer, sets up these delicious stations for wedding guests. The Belgian chocolate is a melted, liquid drink with an assortment of flavors. Guests can take shots of chocolate all night and still drive home safely! After the wedding ceremony, dancing and enjoying delicious food, Cappuccino and Espresso Bar stations have made their way into wedding receptions to give guests that extra zip to go back out on the dance floor and shake their groove thangs! If guests prefer tea to coffee, various high-end teas can accompany these caffeinated drink stations.
Of course, flowing fountains of dark chocolate, white chocolate, blended chocolate and even caramel are still extremely popular as sweet nightcaps. Pam Hogencamp, owner of Ribbons of Chocolate of Lebanon, says everyone loves this treat.
“It does not matter what stage of life you are in,” she says. “These desert stations make adults into children again.”
Photograph by David Wright Photography
