what is snake/ballet service by caterers? High end stuff?

From what I understand, snake or ballet service is basically a highly coordinated plated service where servers move together and place the courses in front of guests at nearly the same time. It definitely has a more formal, high-end feel, but the main consideration is the additional staffing and coordination it requires.

For 150 guests at 15 tables, I’d ask the caterer specifically how many servers, captains, kitchen staff, and runners they would assign, along with how much time they need between courses. I’d also ask whether they have done this service for a similar guest count before. That should give you a much better idea of whether it fits the budget and timeline.

From what I understand, synchronized or ballet service is a highly coordinated style of catering where all guests at a table or even the entire room are served at the exact same time by multiple waitstaff, moving in sync almost like choreography, hence the term. It is elegant and impressive, often used for high-end weddings or formal banquets.

For 150 guests seated at 15 ten-top tables, you would typically need at least 2 to 3 servers per table, so you are looking at a team of 30 to 45 service staff to execute this style properly. That includes servers, runners, and possibly additional staff to handle plating and refills behind the scenes. Timing and rehearsal are key, so be sure to factor in extra coordination time and budget compared to standard service styles.

If you are trying to decide whether it fits within your wedding logistics and budget, it can definitely add a wow factor but only if executed well.

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