How to Display Food for a Wedding Reception

Wedding receptions are a wonderful place for people to celebrate the bride and groom as well as a great place for the bridal party to relax after the stressful months leading up to the wedding. If you're in charge of setting up the food for the after-nuptial celebration, take a few steps to make sure everything looks great.

Instructions

1

Set up a table for the food somewhere that will be out of the way of the dance floor and the entrance for guests arriving at the reception but will also be easy to access for guests once they have arrived. Typically the wall opposite the entrance is a good place to set up a food table, as long as it does not interfere with a dance floor.

2

Cover the table in an attractive tablecloth. A tablecloth in the same colors used in the wedding is always a good choice. If you can't find a tablecloth that works with the wedding's colors, go with a nice quality solid white or solid black table cloth.

3

Place a centerpiece in the middle of the table. If centerpieces are being used on other tables during the reception you may want to simply place one or two of the same centerpieces on your food table. Other excellent centerpieces include an ice sculpture, large display of flowers, a candleabra, or even a chocolate fountain that can also double as one of your food options.

4

Place food on the table on silver (or another attractive option, if you have one) serving trays. If you are doing finger foods for the reception, divide the food in half, placing the same thing on both sides of the table. Guests will enjoy being able to have two lines at the food table at once. For buffet-style food, put plates on one side of the table and then display your food starting with light sides (such as a salad) close to the plates and ending on your main course.

5

Garnish the table with a few accents. Small silver bells (available at most craft stores) can be a great way to spruce up a food table. Other options include curled ribbon in the colors of the wedding, confetti, rose petals, or even fresh flowers scattered about.