Complete Guide to Wedding Catering in the St. Louis Area: From Plated to BBQ

Your catering choice might be the single most important decision you make for your wedding. Not just because food is central to the experience, but because great catering creates an atmosphere of generosity and hospitality. It says to your guests: we want you to enjoy yourself, and we’ve invested in that. In St. Louis, you have incredible catering options. Let’s explore them.

Plated Service: Classic Elegance

Plated service is what Concetta’s Italian Restaurant specializes in, and honestly, it’s elegant. Each guest gets an individually plated entrée brought to them by a server. The presentation is refined. The portions are generous. The experience feels special.

Costs: $60-75 per person in the St. Louis area. Concetta’s options include chicken marsala, salmon, vegetarian pasta, and beef options depending on your menu.

Best for: Formal weddings, classic couples, guests who appreciate refined presentation. The plating makes photos beautiful and guests feel cared for.

Challenges: Timing can feel rigid (everyone eats at the same pace). Dietary modifications are possible but require advance notice and clear communication.

Family-Style Service: Comfort and Abundance

Family-style is what Russo’s does beautifully. Dishes are brought to the table, and guests serve themselves family-style. It feels generous, warm, and communal. Braised short ribs, roasted vegetables, fresh bread—the kind of food that makes you feel welcomed and cared for.

Costs: $50-65 per person. Typically includes three entrée options, sides, bread, salad.

Best for: Rustic weddings, couples who want a relaxed vibe, multi-generational families. It encourages conversation and a sense of abundance.

Challenges: Less elegant presentation than plated service. Some guests might feel uncertain about portion control.

Buffet Service: Flexibility and Variety

Buffet service lets guests choose what they want, how much they want. Multiple entrées are presented on a central or perimeter line. Guests move through and select their preferences.

Costs: $45-60 per person. Lower than plated because labor is reduced.

Best for: Large weddings where kitchen capacity is a concern, guests with diverse dietary needs, casual celebrations.

Challenges: Lines can form at the buffet (especially for large weddings). The presentation isn’t as polished as plated service. Some food sits in chafing dishes, which can affect temperature and quality.

Food Stations: Interactive and Contemporary

Food stations are trendy and for good reason. A taco station, a charcuterie board, a carving station, a pasta bar, a slider station—guests move through and build what they want. It’s interactive and fun.

Costs: $55-70 per person depending on stations and complexity.

Best for: Modern weddings, younger guests, receptions where you want energy and movement. It creates Instagram moments and engagement.

Challenges: Requires more staffing to execute properly. Can be chaotic if not well-organized. Some guests might feel intimidated by interactive food service.

Cocktail Reception: Light Bites and Mingling

Instead of a formal sit-down dinner, a cocktail reception features passed appetizers and stationary food stations. Guests mingle, eat, and celebrate without sitting for a structured meal.

Costs: $35-50 per person for appetizers and drinks. Much lower than a full dinner reception.

Best for: Afternoon weddings, smaller guest counts, couples who want a party vibe rather than a formal dinner. Often paired with cake and dessert service.

Challenges: Some older guests might feel awkward about standing and balancing a plate. You need enough food that guests feel satisfied. It requires more passing servers.

BBQ and Casual Service

BBQ, burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken—casual food service is increasingly popular and when done well, it’s delicious and fun. It signals a relaxed celebration.

Costs: $30-50 per person depending on protein quality and sides.

Best for: Casual weddings, outdoor celebrations, afternoon parties, couples who want authentic and approachable food.

Challenges: Some guests might expect fancier food at a wedding. Messy food can be problematic for formal attire.

Our Partner Caterers and Their Strengths

Concetta’s Italian Restaurant excels at plated service with refined Italian options. Their presentations are gorgeous and their food is consistently delicious. If you want guests to feel elevated and special, Concetta’s delivers.

Russo’s Catering specializes in family-style service and comfort food. Their braised short ribs, roasted vegetables, and warm bread create that generous, abundant feeling. They’re fantastic if you want guests to leave feeling full and happy.

Dietary Accommodations That Matter

Both our preferred caterers handle dietary needs beautifully. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, nut allergies, dairy-free—they take these seriously. When you meet with your caterer, provide a count of dietary needs and discuss how they’ll be handled. Good caterers will make sure dietary versions look and taste as good as the standard options.

Bar Service: Make the Right Choice for Your Guests

Full open bar, beer and wine only, limited bar, or cash bar—these are your options. Most couples do full open bar ($15-20 per person) or beer and wine only ($10-12 per person). A cash bar is typically only done at very casual events and can feel awkward to guests.

Choose what feels right for your celebration and budget.

Making Your Decision

Think about: Your wedding style (formal vs. casual). Your guests (mix of ages? dietary needs?). Your budget. What experience do you want guests to have? That answer guides your catering choice.

Learn more about finding great wedding vendors and how real couples have used catering to create unforgettable experiences.