Different Types of Meal Indicators for a Plated Dinner
If you're planning a plated dinner for your wedding reception, your guests will typically select their entree in advance when they RSVP. This means your catering team needs a simple way to identify which meal each guest selected when it is time to serve dinner.
That's where a meal indicator comes in. A meal indicator is a small visual detail placed at each guest's seat that lets the catering team quickly identify their selected entree. While this isn't necessary for buffet or family-style meals, it is especially helpful for plated dinners where each guest is receiving an individually selected meal.
Your meal indicator can be as simple or creative as you'd like and can easily become part of your place setting or stationery design. Here are a few different ways to indicate plated meal selections while keeping the detail cohesive with your wedding aesthetic.
Colored Wax Seals
For a romantic and timeless wedding, colored wax seals are a beautiful way to indicate meal selections. Assign each entree a different wax seal color and place the corresponding seal on each guest's place card.
For example, a gold wax seal could indicate the chicken entree while a black wax seal represents the vegetarian option. This is an especially great option for couples who want their meal indicators to blend seamlessly into an elevated tablescape. Just be sure your catering team has a clear key showing what each color represents!
Colored Ribbons
Another simple way to incorporate meal indicators is with colored ribbons. A small ribbon tied around the menu or place card can subtly communicate each guest's meal selection.
This option gives you plenty of flexibility with your wedding colors. You can choose two or three ribbon colors that complement your overall palette while still making it easy for your catering team to identify each meal.
Animal Stickers
Animal stickers can be a fun and unexpected way to distinguish between meal selections. Assign each entree a different animal and place a small corresponding sticker on each guest's place card. A chicken could represent the chicken entree, a cow could represent beef, and a carrot can represent the vegetarian option.
Text
Of course, you can always keep things simple and clearly label each guest's meal selection with text. A small notation on the place card, escort card, or menu can indicate the entrée directly, such as "Chicken," "Beef," or "Vegetarian." This is one of the most straightforward options and can be particularly helpful when you have several different meal choices or dietary accommodations.
If your wedding style is more minimal or traditional, using text may be the perfect choice. It eliminates any guessing and gives your catering team an unmistakable indicator when serving dinner.
Choose What Works for Your Wedding
Meal indicators may be a small detail, but they play an important role in keeping a plated dinner service organized and ensuring every guest receives the meal they selected. Whether you choose elegant wax seals, colorful ribbons, animal stickers, or simple text, there are plenty of ways to make your meal indicators fit seamlessly into your wedding design.
When choosing your method, consider your overall aesthetic, the number of meal selections you have, and what will be easiest for your catering team to identify during service. A little planning ahead can make dinner service smoother while adding one more personalized detail to your tablescape.
And if you're feeling overwhelmed by all the little details that go into planning a wedding, that's where we come in. At Before the Vows, we're here to help you create a thoughtful, seamless wedding day from the big-picture plans down to the smallest details. Book a consultation with our team to learn more about how we can help bring your wedding vision to life.