Why Shared Dining is 2025’s Must-Have Event Trend

1. It’s Designed to Connect People

Shared dining encourages guests to interact in a way plated meals don’t. Passing dishes, pouring wine and discovering flavours together creates a feeling among your guests that’s both relaxed and refined. This format breaks down formality, creating a relaxed, social atmosphere that effortlessly brings conversation and connection to the forefront. Whether that’s between friends and family or colleagues and acquaintances.

This format breaks down formality, creating a relaxed, social atmosphere perfect for weddings, corporate events, and celebrations. Shared platters also allow for greater menu variety and accommodate diverse tastes, making every guest feel included. At its heart, shared dining connects people because food always tastes better you enjoy it together.

2. It Looks (and Tastes) Incredible

Shared dining has become the darling of social media in the events industry and its easy to see why. The visual impact is next-level.

Think: abundant platters, colourful salads, artisan breads, slow-cooked mains and garnishes that spill beautifully across the table. A shared dining table invites the food to be a part of the decor. The table looks most beautiful when guests gather to enjoy it for its intended purpose – a great meal!

At Wine & Dine’m, we craft menus that balance visual wow-factor with crowd-pleasing flavours.

3. It Offers Flexibility Without Formality

Plated dining has structure, great for black tie. But shared dining offers flow.

Ideal for those events that want polish without the stiffness of silver service. Guests serve themselves what they like, return for seconds and share their favourites across the table. It also takes the stress out of collecting meal preferences in advance.

If there are only a few specific guest needs, we can meet them through individual catering. This way, everyone gets an appropriate meal without disrupting the shared dining experience.

4. It’s Perfect for Styling and Storytelling

Shared dining allows your table styling to become part of the experience. You can layer curated textures, florals, linens and serving ware that complements your chosen theme. Whether it’s elegant and moody, coastal and breezy, or earthy and rustic – Just like the food, your styling has permission to flow. Each table becomes a visual extension of the event, blending food and décor seamlessly.

Here’s our practical advice on styling a shared dining table from years of experience:

Consider using low layered centrepieces. Choose function items like tiered serving risers that look great with and without food. Add soft touches that won’t overcrowd the table. Finally, consider using alternative or extra-secure lighting instead of tall, open flame candles – a potential recipe for disaster!

5. It Works Across Many Event Types and Sizes

While it’s especially popular for weddings, shared dining is making waves in:

• Executive retreats and leadership dinners
• EOFY and Christmas parties
• Client appreciation events
• Private celebrations at home or in boutique venues

What do these types of events all have in common? A goal to inspire connection, whether professional or personal, among their guests. The key difference is tailoring the menu and service style to match the feeling of the event. We often combine shared mains with canapé starters or plated desserts to balance the experience.

We also see that shared dining is popular with our larger event clients. Portioning meals by the number of people sitting at each table allows everyone to get the right amount of food. If one person is less hungry than another, it balances out. This also speeds up service by using fewer plates and wait staff needing less trips from kitchen to table.

Is Shared Dining Right for Your Event?

It depends on your space, guest mix and the flow of your event schedule. But if you’re aiming for warmth, conversation and style – it’s a strong yes from us.

Our team can help you with setup details like table size, dish quantity and service timing. We can also create a menu that fits your tastes, guest list and budget.