A Moving Style Event (AKA a Progressive Event Reception or Cocktail-Style Event Reception) utilizes the idea of a continuous cocktail hour but with more substantial food options. It’s an extraordinarily efficient and crowd-pleasing way to feed and entertain larger guest counts no matter the venue’s size.

Cedar Plank Salmon on Pesto Risotto

Moving Style Receptions are essentially more elaborate cocktail-style events, and because of all the movement and mingling, this style of reception is often more relaxed.

It’s designed to promote mingling and is excellent for a room full of talkers, dancers, and movers.

Your guests can eat and drink more of what they like, and when your guests are happy, your dance floor is full.

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

This laid-back yet elegant reception style is perfect for couples looking to entertain their guests with something away from traditional formal dining.

Often filled with lawn games, photo booths, and lots of dancing, cocktail receptions give guests the freedom to enjoy themselves without seating charts and strict timelines getting in the way.

Kahlua Pulled Pork Slider with Waffle Fries

Seating

Before planning a cocktail reception, it is essential to consider your guest demographic (older guests generally need more accommodation).

After deciding to go with this kind of reception, we highly suggest informing guests in the invitation that the dinner will be cocktail-style so everyone can wear their best dancing shoes, (and leave the uncomfortable ones at home.)

Some wedding professionals will argue that progressive parties are most successful when a bride and groom provide stable seating for 50% of their guests with supplemental furniture. Others will advise providing more accommodation than your guest list demands. We say, reserve a few tables for those you know will need a seat (lookin’ at you Aunt Esther), and have the young folk perch on some vignette-style decor:

• Smaller tables that place 4 or 6 encourage movement and keep large groups from posting up all night.
• Soft lounge seating in small groupings throughout the space softens the look and lends to that cozy club vibe.
• Ottomans are your best friends, and you can never have too many pillows or throw blankets!
• Add in some scattered cocktail tables.
• Be sure to place some lounges around the dance floor as well to bring guests into the party.
• If you space these elements throughout the room, you’ll draw guests to the various areas while also providing great conversation pockets.

Mac n Cheese Bar

This reception style means guests can choose their food at their leisure but aren’t required to wait in a single line, unlike the buffet style.

They can bounce freely between multiple food stations, reducing wait times.

It also creates a lively vibe, as guests are always moving to and from stations, mingling with others along the way.

Street Tacos

Foodservice is what ultimately sets a progressive reception apart from the standard wedding. Nobody wants to attend a 5-hour cocktail party with minimal appetizers, so the food’s function is imperative.

These receptions are categorized by flowing food and station-style service, and it’s all about presentation.

Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich with homemade Kettle Chips

Stations differ from buffets in that they are smaller and feature specific food items at each, and our events specifically offer at least three small plate stations off of our menus. Essentially equating to three tiny buffets for your guests to visit!

Mashed Potato Bar

Start the evening with passed hors-d’oeuvres and light bites, moving to small action stations – we’ve kept in mind to serve items that are easy to consume, limiting fork use, and always dance floor approved!

If they’re hungry, they will come to the food, so there’s no need to announce food service has begun. The guests will follow the lead of the bride and groom and the wedding party.

Braised Short Ribs on Goat Cheese Whipped Potatoes

Be sure there is food available throughout the night!

A smooth transition from light to heavy, then sweet, is critical for a perfect night, but don’t forget the late-night snack! (Nobody thinks to provide sliders and fries or milk and cookies when the late-night munchies strike. You could be the first!)

Some of our most popular station combinations are the Spinach, and Artichoke Grilled Cheese served with a Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque, Braised Beef Short Ribs in a Demi-Glace with Goat Cheese Whipped Potatoes, and our famous Mac n’ Cheese Bar that comes with a variety of toppings sure to please guests of all ages.

Not only will this keep your guests full, but it will also help define the evening as you go and offer tasty surprises throughout the night!

Sundried Tomato and Artichoke Heart Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Creamy Tomato Bisque

Key Points to remember:

This foodservice arrangement offers all the pros of a buffet without the downside of a long wait in line!

Without a venue full of tables, you can invite more guests; for a younger crowd, more movement and less sitting during the reception can create a fun atmosphere.

Your guests are going to remember being full of fantastic food, drinks, and dancing the night away; what more could a guest want?

Chicken and Waffles

Contact us for more information and ask our coordinators for the full menus to explore for yourself!

Thanks, True Photography, for all these incredible food photos!

Love the Earth as You Would Each Other

These two Earth-conscious love birds didn’t let the craziness of wedding planning distract them from their constant efforts to be as eco-friendly as possible.

Lindsey and her Bridesmaids looked so elegant in their color-coordinated gowns!

We love the depth of this option for dresses offers through pictures.

John and his Groomsmen also looked very sophisticated in their dark blue suits.

The wedding colors were prominent, but not overdone, resulting in a very tasteful presence.

The centerpieces and other floral arrangements from Cherry Blossom Floral Designs had a magnificent pure beauty and grace.

The Farm Tables the happy couple chose to go with looked like they belonged in our large open dining area!

All the tables needed for decoration were eucalyptus runners and some classic lanterns for the centerpieces!

We love the idea of having the Mason Jar water glasses; it adds a playful feeling to an otherwise traditional motif.

For their wedding favors, each guest received an aluminum engraved reusable straw.

This gift was perfect for Lindsey and John’s Earth-friendly lifestyle.

These two are just the sweetest.

During their first dance, their love could be felt by the whole party.

For dinner, Personal Touch Dining served food from four different food stations where guests could choose the dishes they preferred, or have all four!

(Between Herbed Chicken Roulade, Fresh Grilled Quesadillas, Short Ribs with Waffle Fries, and Salmon with a Coconut Curry Sauce everyone went home more than well-fed.)

Have we mentioned our iconic sunsets?

Not to sound too biased, but they’re some of the best in San Diego.

So we’re thrilled Meurer Image Photography helped prove us right!

Flour Power provided a dainty cake topped for Lindsey and John to cut together

which Personal Touch Dining helped supplement with a fantastic Ice Cream Sundae Station accompanied by a mountain of incredible topping choices!

Thank you, John and Lindsey, for choosing our beloved Ranch to spend your special day!

Your love for each other and the Earth is a shining example of what our futures could be if we put our hearts into it.

Thanks to all of the vendors for the hard work and excellent professionalism as always!

Special thanks to Personal Touch Dining for Managing, coordinating, and Catering all our events.

DJ: Nick Weiss

Florals: Cherry Blossom Floral Designs

Photo: Meurer Image Photography

Food and Coordination: Personal Touch Dining

Cake: Flour Power