What Are The Different Types of Wedding Reception? Experience Them All At The Royal Wing Suites & Spa

The different types of wedding receptions tell a story. From an intimate formal seated dinner to a grand buffet style reception, choosing the correct style sets the tone for the type of celebration you intend to have. At the Royal Wing Suites & Spa, our Romance Team is capable of hosting them all. Our luxury 5-star Pattaya hotel redefines what it means to celebrate love, offering couples a wide range of reception settings, each designed to feel exceptional rather than simply arranged. To discover which wedding reception style best suits you, read on as we explain the different types.

The Different Types of Wedding Reception

Cocktail Style

A cocktail style wedding reception is the go-to choice for couples who want a relaxed feel to their wedding. With a cocktail style reception, you’ll find beautifully decorated tables with gorgeous floral centerpieces and a plentiful amount of food in a central area. The food is primarily finger foods or appetizers, such as chicken wings or meatballs, crostinis, grazing boards, shrimp cocktail, and more. Guests can select their bites of choice and find a table to enjoy their food at. Cocktail style receptions are usually paired with an open bar serving wine, beer, and signature mixed drinks. This type of wedding reception is more lively, flexible, and social, allowing guests to mingle as they enjoy light snacks and chat with other attendees.

Formal Seated Dinner

A formal seated dinner is the most standard type of wedding reception. From where they are seated to the menu that is being served, guests will know what to expect. They can chat casually with those seated near them, and then start socializing more with other attendees once the three or four courses are completed. This style of wedding reception is great for those who have a planned program and need to follow a specific timeline. 

There are three types of options for formal seated dinners:

Plated Seated Dinner

The most traditional and common, a plated seated dinner follows a specific menu. Barring ingredients alternatives for dietary restrictions, guests enjoy the same number of courses. It usually contains: a soup, a salad, and a main course. Guests can specify their preference when it comes to the main course when they RSVP, as the wedding invitation usually informs invitees to pre-select their entrée from a designated menu. This is so that everyone can enjoy a delicious meal after the wedding ceremony whether they are vegetarian, vegan, or can only have a certain type of meat.

Family Style

Family style wedding receptions are the relaxed alternative to plated meals. Guests are still assigned seats at specific tables; however, there will be large platters of food placed at the center that they can all choose from. Much like a loving dinner at home, this allows your guests to try a variety of different food options. With this type of wedding reception, you and your partner can curate the menu according to your individual favourites. Encouraging casual and interactive dining experiences, guests will serve themselves and can enjoy conversation and a mouthwatering meal with those they are seated with. With family style receptions, you can still do multiple courses, with wait staff bringing out different dish options to put at the center of the table with each course.

Buffet Style

A buffet style wedding reception consists of a long table with various different food options. From salads to soups and mains, it will all be laid out for everyone’s taking. With a buffet style reception, you can easily provide food alternatives for those with dietary concerns. Guests can go up to the food table and arrange their plate however they wish. The main concern with this type of reception style is ensuring that the flow is planned properly, certifying that the distance from tables to the buffet doesn’t take too long and that lines can be cleared with ease for rotations to occur smoothly. With a buffet style reception, you can even enlist the help 

Delight in Your Ideal Wedding Reception in Pattaya

When you choose to say ‘I do’ with the Royal Cliff team, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to wedding packages in Pattaya. With our four luxury 5-star hotels and award-winning exhibition hall (Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall), we are capable of hosting wedding events and wedding reception styles. From intimate beach weddings to grand nuptial celebrations with up to 1,000 guests, our wedding team has helped host and provide culinary offerings for them all. Passionate to our core about love and commitment, we simply go above and beyond to make your vision a reality. 

To get in touch with our Wedding team and inquire about our various wedding reception styles, call us at +66 (38) 250421 Ext. 2037 or send us an email at [email protected]. Our Romance Director and her team of skillful professionals excitedly await the opportunity to help you host the wedding reception of your dreams.