EDGEUCATION: Choosing the Right Service Style: Pros & Cons Explained

When planning an event, one of the most important—and often overlooked—decisions is how the food will be served. Your service style sets the tone for the entire experience. It influences guest flow, pacing, interaction, ambiance, and yes — your overall budget.

At Edge Catering, we work with clients across corporate events, weddings, galas, and social celebrations, and we know there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Below, we break down the pros and cons of the most popular service styles, or combination of, to help you choose the best fit for your event.

FAMILY STYLE SERVICE

The feast that brings everyone closer.

Designed to be shared, family-style service features generous platters and abundant dishes placed at each table for guests to pass and enjoy together. This style encourages connection, conversation, and a relaxed dining experience — making it a great option for more intimate weddings, family reunions, and celebrations where togetherness is key.

Pros

• Creates a warm, communal dining experience, with encouraging conversation and connection

• Allows your guests to avoid dinner lineups, and remain seated to fully enjoy their experience (especially important for your mature guests)

• Feels abundant and relaxed, "breaking bread" together

• Faster service than plated for large groups

• Designed by Edge, an elevated "Hybrid" Service style allows for a combination of plated starters, and dessert, with traditional platter service for main courses

Cons

• Requires ample table space, leaving less room for florals and décor

• Portion control can be less precise

• Rentals are typically more costly due to platters and serving pieces

• Can be trickier with strict dietary requirements - let's remove as this can be even more of a deterrent for couples

• Requires thoughtful planning to execute beautifully from an aesthetic standpoint

BUFFET SERVICE

Where seconds are encouraged.

Featuring a wide assortment of dishes—from appetizers to desserts—buffet service allows guests to choose exactly what and how much they’d like.

Pros

• Offers variety and flexibility

• Guests control their own portion sizes

• Efficient for casual or daytime events

• Can reduce staffing costs compared to plated service

Cons

• Rental needs can increase overall cost

• Less formal presentation

• Requires sufficient space for setup

• Not ideal for tightly scheduled programs

Best for: Corporate lunches, casual weddings, retreats, and social gatherings

CANAPÉS / COCKTAIL-STYLE RECEPTION

One bite to make a first impression.

Often the first taste your guests experience, canapés set the tone through flavour, texture, and presentation. These one-bite works of art are ideal for stylish, social-forward events.

Pros

• Ideal for networking and mingling

• Elegant and light

• No seating required

• Highly customizable options to address all dietary considerations

Cons

• Not intended as a full meal  unless quantities are increased or small-plate meals are added

• Requires strong service flow and timing

• Guests may leave hungry if not properly planned and duration of event does not balance the quantity of food provided

PLATED SERVICE

Your guests are seated—now it’s time for the culinary main event.

Each dish is thoughtfully composed, beautifully presented, and served directly to guests at their seats. Plated service is a classic choice for formal events where structure, timing, and elegance are a priority.

Pros

• Polished, elegant, and highly controlled

• Seamless pacing for speeches and programming

• Excellent for dietary accommodations, with individual, customized meals to address safely

• Minimal guest movement during service

Cons

• Portion sizes may feel smaller to some guests (this can always be discussed and adjusted!)

• Requires accurate pre-event meal selection reach-out to guests

• Less flexibility for guests in overall choices offered

FOOD STATIONS

Interactive dining has never been so fun.

Food stations bring energy and excitement to your event. With chefs preparing dishes on demand, this style is highly customizable and encourages guests to explore, mingle, and engage with the food experience. This style is often combined with canapes that can be also stationed or passed. 

Pros

• Interactive and engaging for guests

• Encourages movement and mingling

• Reduces long lines when well designed

• Allows for creative, customized and themed menus.

Cons

• Requires adequate venue space

• Can feel less structured without a clear timeline

So… Which Service Style Is Right for You?

The best service style depends on:

• Guest count

• Event timing and flow

• Level of formality

• Budget considerations

• Venue layout

What many clients are surprised to learn is that food costs themselves are often very similar across service styles, especially at entry-level pricing. For example, the food cost for a standard plated, buffet, or family-style meal is typically quite close.

What truly impacts overall cost is staffing and rentals — both of which are influenced by your venue, guest count, and floor plan. That’s why at Edge Catering, we always ask the why behind your vision. Understanding what matters most to you allows us to recommend a service style that aligns with your goals while making the most of your budget.

Our Sales & Event Specialists work closely with you to ensure your service style supports your vision, enhances the guest experience, and works seamlessly with logistics—so you can enjoy your event with confidence.

Ready to start planning? We’d love to help you bring your next event to the table.

Photography by: Mathias Fast - Rentals: Pedersen’s Event Rentals