buffet seating - help!

Re: buffet seating - help!

• BRIANNAT711

  

  September 2010 edited December 2011

  I AM HAVING A BUFFET RECEPTION OR "NEW ORLEANS STYLE" AS IT'S CALLED AND I AM HAVING SEATING FOR EVERYONE. AS SOON AS THE FOOD IS PUT OUT 90% OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO GRAB A PLATE WHICH WILL LEAVE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE TRYING TO JUGGLE A PLATE, FORK, DRINK, AND NAPKIN WHILE STANDING. I HAVE BEEN TO WEDDING WHERE THERE WASN'T ENOUGH SEATING AND IT IS NO FUN STANDING AND EATING IN HEELS ALL NIGHT. YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER DOING SEATING FOR MOST OR YOUR GUESTS IF SEATING FOR ALL ISN'T A POSSIBILITY.

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• heatherawoods7 member

  

  September 2010 edited December 2011

  you will be fine with that many.  the food is there all night so not everyone eats at the same time.  People will be at the bar, dance floor etc. I live in New Orleans but am from the midwest so when i first moved here i couldn't imagine it working but it does and it is sooo much better. 

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• hollybee92 member

  

  September 2010 edited December 2011

  I just don't want a ton of empty tables taking up space towards the end of the night...

  

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• phunluvin82 member

  

  September 2010 edited December 2011

  I'm glad you posted this because I have been thinking about the same thing.  Our venue suggested having seating for about 60% of the number of guests you are inviting.  I was wondering if that is enough, and I've been going back and forth on it.  On one hand I don't want people having to juggle plates and eat standing up...on the other hand I don't want a ton of empty tables in the way when we want to party, and I know the venue has tons of weddings...so they'd probably know what works.  A friend of mine upped her seating to 80% to be on the safe side...I'm going to see how that works for her when I go to her wedding!
  
  You might consider a compromise.  I talked to my planner about adding several high-boy tables so that people would still have a place to congregate and set things down, but they take up much less space than adding extra tables and chairs.
  

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• fatgirlboo member

  

  September 2010 edited December 2011

  I think it would depend on what you think the majority of your guests are used to. I am having a destination wedding in NO and I have requested to have seating for all of my guests because that is the norm up north,

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• MMW10 member

  

  September 2010 edited December 2011

  My venue suggested 50-60% seating as well, and I was REALLY unsure of it, so we're doing high-boy tables to add some plate/drink space. What our coordinator said that made so much sense, though, is "if there is a place to sit, someone will." I really want people to be up and dancing with me (because I plan to dance all night!) and mingling, and in the last few months I've been to weddings in different states with different amounts of seats. I did notice that whenever seats were available, people sat and didn't dance as much. So, I guess it depends who is coming (older relatives vs. friends) and what you want your reception to be! 

  

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• AlmostMrsStrong

  

  September 2010 edited December 2011

  Tables aren't just for eating. Your guests are going to want a place to sit after dancing, or leave their coats, purses, favors, etc (assuming your venue doesn't have a coat check). If you are looking to minimize clutter, I'd definitely agree with pp who recommended having a few tall tables. Don't feel confined to uniformity!

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