what's the deal with printed menus?

mrsthiel2011

I've never been to a wedding with printed menus, but keep seeing them in reception pictures on the Knot and other magazines. Are there guidelines for when they should be used?

kristinanddan

Guidelines? No, but there are certain situations where they can be helpful. We had tableside ordering, so we had menus at each place setting so that waitstaff didn't have to repeat themselves over and over and so that it was easier for the guests to see all of their choices. They definitely aren't a requirement though.

hz80408

Maybe it's a trend?

We had 4 different entrees, so we decided to print them.  I printed as postcards from Vistaprint for free (except shipping).  Plus I think a lot of people just forget what they ordered or may really like something and be curiuos what's in it?

shortee426

I'm not having printed menus at my tables.  Guests are choosing their entrees in advance so I don't think it is necessary.  If you are doing a buffet, you might want to consider doing a couple menus/table, although it is not necessary.  The only situation that I personally would put menus out for is if entrees are chosen tableside.  Like PPs said, they certainly are not required in any situation.  They are simply more helpful sometimes.

caseyandlizzie

We had a buffet and used the tolsby frames from IKEA and put the table number on one side and the buffet menu on the other side, so 1 per table. I know we have a lot of picky eaters and family so it made them aware of what food was available before they got up there.

OuachitaTrixie

I think they could be quite elegant and formal, but that's going to only make sense in the right setting.  With tableside ordering it makes absoutely perfect sense!

We are having a buffet and we are creating a large framed menu at the head of the buffet so that guests will know what lies ahead.  We are also making smaller framed signs in front of each item.  We are doing this because of food allergies and to keep the line moving along quickly.

CaylaSummer

Sorry to hijack the thread but would it  be pointless to have a menu printed on each table setting if you have a set menu?

I'm just asking because I was thinking of doing this to add that extra touch but we have a set menu and the guests don't get to choose their meal. However they wont know in advance what the food is until they sit down and the dinner is being served.

alixzafiris

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_whats-deal-printed-menus?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:5272ad4d-18a4-46b0-a0b5-307a4349bf19Post:0b1bcc25-4eae-42f8-ad0b-52201f774237">Re: what's the deal with printed menus?</a>:
[QUOTE]Sorry to hijack the thread but would it  be pointless to have a menu printed on each table setting if you have a set menu? I'm just asking because I was thinking of doing this to add that extra touch but we have a set menu and the guests don't get to choose their meal. However they wont know in advance what the food is until they sit down and the dinner is being served.
Posted by CaylaSummer[/QUOTE]

Nope, not at all. We did this simply because we're design-hoars and wanted them. They turned out lovely and just added something to the place settings ;)

jeanna85

In some areas, the norm is tableside ordering for sit-down meals, and having to choose a meal in advance on RSVP cards is considered tacky. I think at the 25 or so venues I checked out they all did tableside ordering so menus were necessary. I would imagine it's just a waste of paper if your guests have to choose their meal in advance though.

lyndausvi

Menus are not necessary, but in this day and age of allergies I think it's good idea to give a description of what is being served.  Most people address such things as nuts, shellfish, gluten, etc. ahead to time, but some people do not think to tell people about their mushroom or something less life threatening.

Karen's MOH

I like reading what's coming, even if I don't have any choice in it, plus it's a good opportunity for someone with an allergy to tell the waiter.

For our wedding, we had a fish course and a beef course, so I wanted people to know there was more coming after the fish, so a menu made the most sense. Plus, they are so pretty

JanoBean75

My guests pre-ordered with the reply card, but I used my menus as placecards (there might still be a mock-up in my bio). I listed out more details about the entree and all the other stuff. Our dinner consisted of Greek food and only a handful of our guests were actually Greek, so I thought it would be helpful to our non-Greek guests to know what they were eating.

missymr

We likely will be having a set menu but we are going to have one menu card on each table just so people know what they are being served.