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Buffet or Sit-down Dinner or Family Style???

ceeceed80ceeceed80 member
100 Comments
in Florida-West Coast
So, I want a family style dinner. i think that buffets can get too crowded and Sit downs take too long. And since it looks like we are going to have the wedding/reception at my grandparents property, I would prefer to keep the congestion to a minimum. 

We want the tables set up like harvest tables and I thought family style would be ideal (PS - we will have a caterer). My mom dreads this idea. She wants a sit down dinner. My father wants a buffet ("because I can get as much food as I want".)

What are your thoughts? I would love to find a way to talk my mom into it. 
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Re: Buffet or Sit-down Dinner or Family Style???

  • bananafanafofashleybananafanafofashley
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    how many people per table? if its over 8 i wouldn't do a family style because there would be too much reaching. i was never fond of buffets because of the crowing but with the caterer im going with they only do buffets, but they serve it so it doesn't get messy. if your wedding is on your grandparents property i'm guessing it's not a superformal event, so i think a served dinner might be a little weird. why dont you do stations in different areas of the property that you are using? mashed potato martini bar on one side, carving station in another, make your own pasta bar in another.. that way you could get the ease (and good price) of a buffet without the crowding!

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  • ceeceed80ceeceed80 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    you totally just won my heart with a mashed potato bar! :D

    my thinking was to have long rectangular tables and I think they sit 12. but what i was talking about with the caterer was they would set up the food in groups of 4. the tables are pretty wide so they aren't the skinny long tables that most people see. 

    it's not going to be super formal and i agree that a sit down would be odd. i keep trying to tell my mom that... i might need to get my g-ma involved... she totally see my vision! LOL
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  • Bre2BeBre2Be
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Also, keep in mind that with a sit down dinner you will most likely need more staff to serve, which in turn means more money to caterer and less food for guests.

    I like stations.  We did station/buffet combo.  We had a carving station, pasta station, salad bar, and then buffet with mixed veggies, chicken dish.  Also, instead of having everyone rush the food at once, our caterer (Delectables) was great about having H and I go first and then instructing one table at a time to get food.  It was seamless and any good catering company will follow suit. GL!
    Brooke + Chavis
    est. 10/10/10

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  • bananafanafofashleybananafanafofashley
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm glad you like the idea! I saw something on smartyhadaparty.com where a bride did a mashed potato martini bar with toppings like bacon, chives, sour cream, even some other really odd (but probably delicious) combos. I'm totally going to try to talk my caterer into it ;] LOL

    If the tables are wide enough and only four or five people would be sharing the dishes I think family style would work fine. This type of setting seems like it would keep the conversation going. You could keep the centerpieces to a minimum too since the food will be there to fill the space. Money saver!

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  • M1ssJM1ssJ member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I love family style dining, its so interactive
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  • mandychampmandychamp member
    Knottie Warrior 10 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I agree with all of you guys.  I would love to go with family style as well, once we can get the cooking arrangements figured out.  grr.  But its great and you can still decorate with pretty napkins, patterned china, and what-not if you want.

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  • teetooshortteetooshort
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I wanted family style but I'm restricted to one caterer who does not do family style.  I am doing a buffet for kids though.  Definintely go with family style!!!
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