When it comes to planning your wedding and reception, the food you provide for your guests can be simple or difficult to plan based on what type of impression you are trying to provide for your event. In this guide, we highlight fork vs. finger foods to help you decide which option is best depending on the type of event you are planning.
Fork or Finger Foods? Which Is Better for Your Event
Choosing the right catering in St. Louis plays a major role in making your event unforgettable. Food is often the centerpiece of any celebration, shaping how guests remember the occasion. From elegant plated dinners to fun and casual appetizer spreads, the type of menu you select sets the tone for the entire event. In this guide, we highlight fork vs. finger foods to help you decide which option is best depending on the type of event you are planning.
Fork or Finger Foods? Which Is Better for Your Event
Choosing the right catering in St. Louis plays a major role in making your event unforgettable. Food is often the centerpiece of any celebration, shaping how guests remember the occasion. From elegant plated dinners to fun and casual appetizer spreads, the type of menu you select sets the tone for the entire event. In this guide, we highlight fork vs. finger foods to help you decide which option is best depending on the type of event you are planning.
When to Serve Fork Foods
The reception is where you are thanking your guests for celebrating your big day with you. In return, you should feed them an appropriate size menu selection. Big sit-down dinners at weddings haven’t gone away but are definitely not always a first choice for feeding your guests.
When to Serve Finger Foods
Appetizer selections provide variety and are often easier to customize for dietary needs. Buffet-style catering with finger foods works well for accommodating gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan guests. These special event menus also make it easier to handle food allergies and ensure no guest feels left out. Popular finger food options include:
- Sliders and mini sandwiches
- Charcuterie boards and cheese trays
- Veggie cups with dips
- Mini tacos or quesadillas
- Bite-sized desserts like cupcakes or brownies
Perfect for Casual Gatherings
Finger foods are a favorite for birthdays, trivia nights, and cocktail parties where guests want to move around and socialize. With party catering services, small plates and appetizers let guests enjoy a wide variety of flavors without the formality of a sit-down dinner.
Easy Dietary Accommodation
Customized catering menus allow you to offer gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan dishes without limiting the variety of flavors. This flexibility ensures that every guest feels welcome and satisfied, while still keeping presentation fun and appealing.
Catering for a Memorable Event
Most guests remember two things from the wedding reception, the food and the experience. They will always remember if there was enough food to feed the guests, or if the food was of low quality. You want to keep both of these important details in mind when creating your meal. When sending out wedding invitations it is always a good idea to add a dietary restriction option on the RSVP card to help guide you in the right direction for the most accurate menu to serve all of your guests.
When planning other events besides weddings, such as birthday parties, cocktail parties, anniversaries, trivia nights, etc. finger foods are a good way to go as well. This allows guests to make small plates filled with their favorite items and bring them right to the table. This is might an easier solution to providing a wide range of snacks and accommodate all guests. Decorating individual servings is also fun way to add some flair and make your appetizer table stand out when serving finger foods.
Planning Menu Details in Advance
Adding a dietary restriction option to your RSVP cards helps create the most accurate menu possible and ensures every guest enjoys the event. Careful preparation also avoids last-minute stress and allows your local catering company to deliver exactly what you envision.
Here are a few tips to make your catering plan smooth:
- Include dietary preference checkboxes on RSVP cards
- Plan portion sizes to avoid food shortages
- Add seasonal dishes for freshness and variety
- Balance savory and sweet items on the menu
- Confirm final guest count one week before the event
When planning other events besides weddings, such as birthday parties, cocktail parties, anniversaries, trivia nights, etc. finger foods are a good way to go as well. This allows guests to make small plates filled with their favorite items and bring them right to the table. This is might an easier solution to providing a wide range of snacks and accommodate all guests. Decorating individual servings is also fun way to add some flair and make your appetizer table stand out when serving finger foods.
Best Event Catering in St. Louis
At Andre’s Banquet and Catering in St. Louis, MO, we offer several options when it comes to sit-down dinners, buffet-style dinners as well as a heavy appetizer option buffet option. If you are leaning more towards the finger food option for your event, we can provide a wide variety of appetizers to help you provide a nice presentation in replace of a buffet deluxe dinner. Andre’s caters to over 25 locations in and around the Missouri and Illinois areas. For more information, you can reach us at the South location off Telegraph Rd. in St. Louis County, MO at 314-894-2622.
Andre’s Banquet & Catering | St. Louis, MO
At Andre’s, we are a full-service catering company. We provide the meal, 4-hour open bar, china dinnerware, linen tablecloths, chair covers, the personnel, as well as an onsite coordinator. We are a one-stop-shop facility that can offer guidance in planning and organizing your day. Andre’s coordinates with several different vendors to make your planning process painless!
Contact us today book your tasting, explore menu options, and start planning a celebration that leaves a lasting impression.