Plated or Buffet?

monet7383 · September 2011

Although my decision does not have to final until spring 2012, I am having a hard time deciding on whether to do a plated or buffet style dinner. For example, with the budget we have if I go with buffet I can get three different types of meat and four hors' dourves along with any sides. But if I choose plated, my guests can choose one of four meat choices, five hors' dourves and any sides and better alcohol choices. The plated seems to be cheaper so i could throw in extras like a chocolate dipped strawberries or even a fondue and still be within budget. They both have its pros and cons.

Did you have plated or buffet and what helped you to decide?

flasweetheart · September 2011

Ours was because of our guest count. We have 176 people that will be at our wedding on Saturday and some are older relatives so we chose to just do a cocktail time and then have the plated meal

eneh2012 · September 2011

I voted for plated and that's what I plan on having at my wedding. I'm real impatient and I always feel like I'm waiting in a long line when there is a buffet at a wedding. Also I was at a wedding with buffet and they had two meat options, beef and pork. By the time my table got to the buffet all the beef was gone. I am not anti-pork like some of the other guests but I definitely would have preferred beef.

It also sounds like you get more options with a plated meal which is good.

Sherri0129 · September 2011

So far, I'm the only one who chose the buffet dinner. Here's my reason: If it wasn't for my venue, I probably would've done plated. My venue is very "up-scale" and known for that. My biggest concern about buffets is watching the people have to wait in a long line to get their food.... that can be embarassing. But not just because of my venue's reputation, but also because of their gaurentee that we won't have that problem is what ultimately made me say okay with the buffet. I would rather my guest see the options and choose what they would like than pick something and complain about it. It's sad but we all know people do that. So yes, they may have to get up and be served at the buffet.... but at least they can see for themselves and make their own decisio. Plus, I like the choices for the buffet menu

HTH!

wallacje · September 2011

We had a buffet, I wanted to provide a better variety of food. Also it depends on the overall feel of your reception. Ours wasn't in a ballroom so no need to have plated. Plus every wedding I've been to that had plated, the food was awful or I couldn't remember what I ordered 2 months prior to the wedding. Buffet is just more my style but if you go that route make sure you have enough tables set up so people don't have to stand in line for hours trying to get food, that is the downside, but yet again, I can't complain about a free meal.

MrsBoss2012 · September 2011

I am going the buffet route and I prefer buffet at a wedding. I am a picky eater and I also don't like my food to touch ( I know I'm horrible). So I'd rather be in control of what is on my plate. In your case though it sounds like the plated meal may be the bigger bang for your buck so I say go with that.

island07b2b · September 2011

Plated here. We get to really customize our selections and the guests will have more options of food that way. Plus a plated dinner goes best with the ambience I am trying to go for at my venue.

mikimoto6 · September 2011

I prefer plated. If you have buffet, it works best for 100 people or less. Anything more than that can create a long wait for food and add at least 30-45 minutes or more on to your reception in dinner service time alone. You still have to allow for eating time, which stretches dinner out to 2.5 hours easily. If you maximize this time and do first dance, toast, cake cutting, garter/bouquet toss, father/daughter and mother son dances during dinner, people can party the rest of the night without feeling like there is a long lag in between activites.

MarryingmyKnight · September 2011

I am doing an in between with a family style dinner. No one has to get up and go anywhere to get their food but it isn't plated either. Best of both words I guess. Lol!

djscat · September 2011

Here are some of the things that I looked at when I decided to do my buffet. Funny in Northern Cali the buffet is significantly cheaper then plated.

~elderly or disabled guest who could not walk through a buffet?
~price and value
~guest being able to choose exactly what they want at the time they are going to eat.
~Guests changing their mind on what they said they wanted to eat in the RSVP
~Leftovers or waste (Ease of boxing up the leftovers for family to take home.)
~The ease of serving unexpected guests. (Hope this won't happen but I am a realist and don't want to get in to it with someone while still in my wedding dress.)
~The comfort of the guest not having to get up to get their food.
~The hassle of having to wait as items are replenished on the buffet line.
~The ability of the staff to keep the line going in a buffet setting.
~The ability of the staff to serve all the guest at the same time with hot food.

In the end I decided that since for me there was only one negative (elderly guest) I would opt for the cheaper buffet and have my ushers help the 3 elderly guests. In the end the food is still going to taste the same and be great. Choose what YOU and FI want and think will be easiest for you on a day that will be busy for you both. IMO I would opt for the less expensive choice of the sit down and put the extra money towards something else you might want.

HTH

monet7383 · September 2011

Thank you ladies for all your input. You have been a big help!

M1ssJ · September 2011

I wanted to have a plated meal but because I am having a brunch reception we went for buffet. Brunch is more like a spread than a plated meal

PrettyCW5 · September 2011

We're doing plated because it's cheaper and will be easier on our guests. We have several older guests and very young children attending our wedding. I've never really liked standing in the buffet line or waiting for my table to be called so I can go stand forever and wait. The lines always seem soooooooooooo long. lol!

KYPHILLY · September 2011

We did plated, and believe me it was the best! We had attended several weddings before ours that had buffet, and the stand in line thingy was not my thingy. I loved the fact that my guests was seated and didn't have to wait in a line. We had chicken and brisket and both were plated and it wasn't a difference in price with our caterer. Our food was awesome!

mikimoto6 · September 2011

I am also having family style service, but our reception is going to be like a family dinner party with dancing.

deet106 · September 2011

We are doing action stations. The venue is known for their stations, so I'll have two carving stations, mash potatoe bar, salad and pasta bar. So guest can go to the different stations, without having to stand in one long line. It is the same price as a plated dinner, and IMO you get more food and a variety

[Deleted User] · September 2011

I am also doing action stations. I wanted to offer variety so everyone can sample the foods that connect my Jamaican and my finance's Southern heritage. I will likely also do a pasta/vegetarian station for the vegetarians among us.

MrsJenrette · September 2011

I chose buffet because both sides of the family love to eat!

That and we wanted our guests to have options, and apparently the buffet option is less expensive than the plated, and we would be able to give all meat options a look!...lol

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