Seated vs. Buffet

ellebelley

So I started off wanting a seated dinner...But after hearing how fabulous buffets can be, I am so indecisive! I have gotten 2 quotes already, one for a seated dinner and one for a buffet and surprisingly the buffet quote came out to A LOT more than the seated. But, I just want to know what you guys would prefer, or are doing for your wedding! Thank you !

greeneke2

My personal opinion is to have a seated dinner and its not because I don't like them or anything.  But I just don't want everyone having to run around and wait in line for dinner.  I think it will run much more smoothly if it was seated which is what I am going to do.  I'm surprised the buffet costs more though. I wonder why that is?

Mona8

We're also doing a seated dinner. I think this is the first time I've ever heard of a buffet being more than a seated dinner... weird.

leahstinson

we are doing seated. when i compared costs it also came out more for a buffet. mainly being that the carving stations needed someone there and that ran anywhere from $150-300 to have someone.

ellebelley

Yes the carving station was an arm and a leg! Also, the company was a bit more high end and very well known. But the other caterer is just as great, has done just as many weddings but is still cost efficent! Thank you ladies very much !

mandi921vh

We are doing a buffet, it is way cheaper and this is what is usually done in the area. I have never been to a wedding that wasn't a buffet. 

arauchte

We are having a seated dinner.  I agree with PP about not having people wait in line for food.  I think it is more formal to have a sit down dinner.  If your wedding is more casual then go for the buffet.  Whichever you prefer.  I havne't been to a wedding that was buffet so to me I just always thought sit down.

77Angie

I think either one is great but we have decided to go with a plated dinner.  It isn't much more than the buffet to have both steak and chicken on every plate so that is what we are going with.  It is also a quicker process and we want to get to the dancing started as soon as possible!

gpapale1

We are most likely doing combination seated/buffet.  We'll have the started served tableside, and then the main course will be buffet.  I think this allows the dinner to be a little more "traditional" without costing us a fortune, and I think it's nice that guests will have something to eat while waiting to be called up to the buffet. 

LDW0225

We are doing buffet style. Mainly because that is what FI really wanted and it is cheaper than doing a seated dinner. I've been to both and depending on where your reception is I don't think it makes the wedding less formal if you do a buffet.

Soon2bStaff

We are doing buffet. FI's family are big eaters and my side are small eaters so we wanted everyone to take what they want without leaving some hungry and some waste.

gnatters

We are doing a seated dinner.  As we were searching venues, we also noticed all the buffets were more than the seated dinner.  We were told this was because the caterer has to estimate most people will "grab" both entrees during a buffet, making the caterer prepare twice as much food.

V wanted to go with the sit down dinner because he said "Usually I'm the last table to eat and all that is left is some side-dish potatoes, dark bread that no one else wanted, and maybe one choice of entree"

We went to a friend's wedding last weekend, and sure enough, we were at the last table to the buffet (but the closest to the bar).  Luckilly, there was enough of the entrees for me to snag one of each (chicken stuffed with sausage and carved roast beef).

dordtgrl4

We are going for a seated dinner for many of the same reasons PP have said. Both are fine but for the feel we were going for, we were willing to pay just a bit more. Plus knowing the issues his father has complained about in the past, we were just trying to dodge another bullet. (We're really learning alot by seeing my FSIL get married this May)

xojessicarabbit

were doing buffet

...it works alot better for us and i wouldnt have it any other way

theres ups& downs to everything....

xo.

S0095042

When attending a wedding I don't really have a preference. The buffet costs more because when there is a buffet people often go up more then once...we ran into this at a couple of venues.

For our wedding we are doing seated because I wanted it to be more formalized. I'd pick off of the feel you are going for. Formalized = seated, Less Formal = buffet.
They are both great options as long as the food is yummy!

klw0022

Since we're having a very laid back AHR, we're doing it buffet style, but I would entertain seated if I wanted to pay more for serving service

FutureMrsSheeler

I don't really have a preference... I am also on the fence about this decision. I have been looking over our menu for the venue, and the buffet and seated are about the same price.. so we will just have to see what we like after the taste testing. But I think either seated or buffet is just fine! Seated is more formal, with less food, and buffet is less formal, but your guests can get exactly what they want.