Buffet-vs-sitdown

niq24601

Do people have any strong opinions on this? At our venue if we do buffet style the buffet table is on the ground floor, but seating is on the second floor. Elderly guests might have trouble with the stairs. We can enlist ushers etc. to help people carry their food, but I'm wondering if they'll just feel annoyed that we think they need help. And for folks who looked into both sit-down and buffet pricing: what was the usual price difference?

KST_

My opinion usually goes along two lines: atmosphere and pricing. I can't tell you about pricing differences as I didn't look into that. As for atmosphere - for me buffet feels more casual (and more "family" since we always had potlucks served buffet style at church) while sit-down is more formal/fancy/special event. (I put it on a scale with family-style serving bowls on the table as the most casual.) Regarding your elderly guests - if it's sit-down, what's the seating? Is it still upper or does it then become a mix of upper and lower? Honestly, I don't think they'd be annoyed at an offer of help from an usher to carry their plate for them while they navigate the stairs or whatever. However, their ability to navigate the stairs at all is my question - any elevator if all seating is upstairs?

jennlin

we looked into both..and the price was very similar. about a hair less for sit down when we budgeted every single person to order lobster (which they didn't, so it was WAY less). i think sit downs are a little more glamorous, you get less food, but all my guests were still full, so we didn't have a problem of not having enough.

the only drawback is it's a little more stressful getting menu items down, and making placecards for each guest to indicate to servers what they want...but i think the glam was way worth it. and we also saved quite a bit of money..since not everybody ordered top-of-the-line.

jennlin

oh i forgot about the elderly/stairs question...

usually family would help out, before ushers (i would think)..so i don't think ushers are necessary...but maybe let the staff know, so they'll be able to help if necessary.

melissa82

Hmm, that seems a bit awkward to have to carry your food upstairs, especially all dressed up...I can see myself getting some sauce on my dress, lol. (Oh I'm invited right? =p) If it's not a big difference in price, I'd do sit-down.

dawnies79

I'm not much help with the cost because we did family style but personally I'm just not a big fan of buffets. The food never seems to be hot enough and it's just never as good IMO. I agree with PP's it seems a little tricky to carry your food upstairs elderly or not. I'm with Melissa I'd probably spill!

ahuette

Our caterer offers dual plates for about the same price as a buffet.  This gave us 2 options protein options on one plate so we didn't have worry about tracking meal selections.  Maybe look into that option. 

sjlarobadiere

My thing about doing a buffet vs sit-down was that I wanted Brad and I to actually sit and eat and enjoy our food and have time to soak it all up. I feel like a buffet doesn't offer that as people are down before others and as the hosts your having to go around and talk with everyone so you really don't get a moment to relax and enjoy the food you paid so much for! Cost differences are really not that much. You have to have more food for a buffet and the servers even things out because in a sit-down you have to have 1 server per 10 or so guests and in a buffet you still need a number of servers and workers, especially if you plan on doing carving stations and other stations.
In the end do what is going to make you and your FIe happiest. Even if it'll cost you a bit more either way. It'll be worth the extra bucks.

jennuinne

I think either is fine, depending on your event.  I agree buffet is more casual and sit down is more formal.  Personally, at buffets the food is not always good but you have more choices and will have enough to eat.  Sit downs, the may be better, or may not be, but your choices are more limited and guests may not be full.

If you have to sit upstairs though and the food would be downstairst, that just seems to awkward and crazy.  I'd do sit down with that lay out.

MrsH8172010

We're doing sit down, because we thought it would make it just a little more formal!
I really like the idea of sit down and I think it would be better than having to carry the food upstairs..

When I was looking at price difference it wasn't big. Some sit downs were even cheaper than buffet which I was suprised about... the catch is that they usually require more servers to serve the food so you have to pay more for service... it's different for different caterers though...

Tygirljojo

I personally prefer sit down, but I know FI prefers buffet so he can pick and choose what he wants and how much of it (picky eater!). 

sarack

In your case I think i'd to sit down. We are doing buffet. I like the idea of people getting as much of whatever they want. I've also only been to one wedding where it was plated and one that was family style, the rest have been buffets and that is normal in my circle.

I think whatever makes you guys happy is what you should do. Family will help out the elderly!

jennyann28

I'm a big fan of the buffet.  All of the sit-down weddings I've been to had disgusting food.  At least with a buffet, you get to pick what you want!  That said, I think in your case, it may be better to do sit-down.  That whole traversing the stairs with food thing is really awkward.  Unless you can somehow get them to do buffet upstairs, sit-down is logistically the best choice.

carrieoz_76

I don't have a preference between the two, and in most circumstances would probably go with the one that offers the best food (that I can afford).  However, in your circumstances, I would for sure go with the sit-down if the buffet would be on a different floor.  That just seems like a recipe for disaster to have ppl carrying their food.  In heels and skirts and suits.  On stairs.  I wouldn't chance it.

Sweet_Adeline

We are having a sit-down dinner, and most of the venues we looked at the difference was only $1-2 extra per person.  It's a little different at the venue we chose, as they have an overall "base" price that is pretty much all inclusive - with a buffet - and then they add anywhere from $5-10 per person based on the entree. 

I was fine with the buffet, but my FI wasn't.  The only thing he's had a really strong opinion about so far is the buffet vs sit-down, so I acquiesced to him on that one.  Our wedding is pretty small, so it won't make a huge difference overall.