Are you creating your wedding registry and wondering what serving pieces for entertaining you need to host holidays and parties? Or are you an experienced entertainer looking for inspiration to refresh your serveware? Either way, this post has you covered!
With so many options on the market, choosing serveware can be confusing. What will you actually use? What is worth splurging on?
I faced the same dilemma. Over the years, I’ve curated a core collection of serveware. These are my go-to, ride-or-die pieces that I reach for over and over. Most are basic white or wood, which allows them to be incorporated into almost any event theme or color palette.
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To help you create a similarly practical collection of serveware you can enjoy for years, in this post I’ll share with you what I own and use. I hope this information will help guide your hunt for entertaining basics.
To help you create a similarly practical collection of serveware you can enjoy for years, in this post I’ll share with you what I own and use. I hope this information will help guide your hunt for entertaining basics.
This post is all about serving pieces for entertaining.
1. Large Platter
You should have at least one large platter. A large platter is perfect for serving the main dish or a variety of appetizers. You could even use it instead of a wood board and create a stunning charcuterie display. This is the exact platter I own and highly recommend it.
2. Medium Platters
Quite possibly our most-used serveware, these medium-size platters are incredibly useful for side dishes and appetizers. They flex into buffets beautifully. You can even add a small bowl to the platter and serve a delicious dip with crudite or sliced baguette.
3. Baking Dish with Stand
Some recipes call for serving oven-to-table. Instead of using clear baking dishes, I recommend serving your meal in a white porcelain baking dish. As a bonus, placing it in a chic metal stand will keep the heat off your tabletop.
4. Large Serving Bowl
Excellent for pasta, potatoes, or salad, a large serving bowl is definitely a must-have in your serveware collection. The square shape of this bowl gives it a bit of edginess compared to the round variety.
5. Medium Serving Bowls
Medium serving bowls are perfect for side dishes. This is another category where more is more. You just really cannot have enough on hand. I would say a good starting point is at least three.
6. Small Serving Bowls
These are the sneaky serveware pieces you don’t know you need until you really need them. You really cannot have enough on hand. They are so useful for serving toppings, condiments, and small snacks like olives and nuts. I recommend these square bowl set that come with a chic metal stand. You can opt to use the stand or not, depending on your event needs.
7. Divided Server
You could make the argument that a divided server isn’t completely essential. You could possibly get away without one. However, I just had to include it because I love this one SO much. You can use this as it comes, or break it down and use it in different combinations. One different combination I think is extra useful is to use just one of the small bowls inside the largest bowl to create a chip-and-dip tray.
8. Bread Basket
Just the thing for Thanksgiving or other holiday meals shared around a table, a bread basket to pass around keeps carbs in place. This gold bread basket is a modern upgrade to traditional wicker.
9. Butter Dish
You may only pull this out at sit-down meals, but having a butter dish in your collection is necessary. I own this clear covered butter dish and love the dainty cloche shape that is both vintage and modern.
10. Wood Salad Bowl and Servers
Salad is easier to serve in a hearty wood bowl. Make tossing the dressing simpler with coordinating servers. I have a bowl very similar to this one but with claw servers that rest on the side of the bowl.
11. Water Dispenser
For parties, a water dispenser is indispensable. Add fruit to the water, and your guests can help themselves to a lovely infused beverage. I highly recommend upgrading to one with a stand so guests can easily fit their glass under the spout.
12. Carafe
Up your beverage station game by decanting juice or infusing water in a carafe. They add an upscale touch, and I prefer to use them instead of pitchers.
13. Pedestal Cake Stand
Not just for dessert, you’ll find yourself reaching for your pedestal cake stand for so many other uses. They add needed height and dimension to a buffet. The clean, modern lines of this white pedestal cake stand are just perfection.
14. Tiered Stand
When you have multiple desserts or appetizers to serve, a tiered stand will save the day. This one fits the medium serving plates mentioned above.
15. Pastry Server
For the times when your buffet includes cake or pie, a pastry server is a practical addition to your collection. It’s way prettier to pull this out when it’s time to cut and serve the cake at a birthday celebration than grabbing any old thing out of the kitchen.
16. Cheese Knives
It’s no secret that cheese boards are a thing right now. Everyone seems to be making them. But I don’t see the need for cheese knives going away anytime soon. I have several sets of cheese knives, but this copper-handled set is my favorite.
17. Large Serving Spoons and Forks
Your cutlery set may have come with a few serving spoons and forks. If not, you will want to make sure you add a few to your collection. Having a coordinated set of serving utensils elevates any table or buffet. The modern black handle on this serving set is just so good.
18. Chip & Dip
This set of 2 separate pieces form a versatile chip & dip bowl. Use the small or large bowl separately or together. Place the small bowl anywhere on the larger one to customize the set to your dish.
19. Divided Bowl
Perfect for chips and dip – or any other menu item that has a sauce and dry good. (How perfect would this divided bowl be for jam and bread at brunch!?)
20. Appetizer Forks
You need appetizer forks for serving charcuterie, tapas, and appetizers. You won’t use them on the daily likely, but they are incredibly useful for bigger gatherings and parties.
21. Wood Serving Board
A wood serving board provides you with a natural option for serving not only charcuterie but also would be perfect for an assortment of appetizers or desserts. The exact one I have is sold out, unfortunately. But this wood serving board is a very similar option.
22. Trays
Trays are perfect for corralling smaller dishes into a cohesive display. I have several, but this tray is my favorite.
23. Napkin Holder
I like to have an intentional spot for beverage napkins, rather than placing them in a stack on a table. This wood and gold napkin holder keeps napkins in place, and works especially well for outdoor events where napkins have a tendency to fly away!
24. Utensil Holder
I must admit that I haven’t found a favorite utensil holder yet. I’m still on the hunt for THE one. Usually for indoor events, I just use glasses or small vases to hold utensils on a buffet. But for outdoor events, this wicker utensil caddy works quite well.
Don’t Forget to Pin!
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There you have it – my collection of serving pieces for entertaining you should own. I hope this is helpful to you as you create a wedding registry or refresh your own collection!
Cheers!
This post was updated on August 20, 2021. Links and title were edited. Added related posts and Pin images.