Plated dinner- options or one meal?

laurenberdan · June 2012

My fiance and I decided on a plated meal, rather than a buffet, since it's a little more formal. I'm starting to see the draw to the buffet though, as you do not have to worry about the meals.

At my venue, if we opt to give guests the option to choose their meal while at the wedding (instead of RSVP'ing with their choice), we basically have to pay double since they would need to have a bunch of both meals ready.

If we have the guests RSVP with their meal option, then that is so much more work on me! I know, I'm just sounding lazy, but if I go this route then I need to have a place card for each guest with something on the card that indicates wether they picked chicken or beef (or whatever we decide on). I also feel like this is so "old school" to have chicken or beef on your respond card. I really like seating charts, rather than place cards, but I wouldn't be able to do this if I give my guests the choice when RSVP'ing.

I know somebody who only served one meal. I was a chicken dish. I feel like you can't go wrong with chicken, unless you have any vegetarians (I think we have one). At the same time, this seems like it may look cheap.

What do you think?

JoanE2012 · June 2012

We did the meal options on the card. Our venue is not making us note each guest's choice on a placecard. The will come tableside and take their order. Their experience is that most people will choose the same thing they RSVP'd for (I know I'd always select the chicken entree!) and that if some people switch, they'll have enough to cover it. Could that be an option with your venue?

I'm not sure I'd do just one entree. Some people are red meat eaters, not chicken. I know my father and FI would much prefer a beef option. Perhaps they could do a duet entree?

Worst case if your venue can't do the above, I'd suck it up and do the choices on the RSVP card.

lyndausvi · June 2012

This is a case where you really need to know your guests' tastes (well within reason).

We did a duo plate of filet and crabcake. Plus we accommodated anyone with a food restriction. For example our seafood allergy person got 2 filets. Our non-red meat eater got 2 crabcakes. We didn't have any vegans or vegetarians. for those few who don't each either. Between us and our parents we knew how everyone ate, didn't have any picky eaters any one with major food restrictions, so it worked for us. That is not always the case.

I've attended a lot of weddings that gave you a choice on the RSVP, including my sister. It's not as hard as you think. We had a spreadsheet setup. When they RSVP we notated the choice and then did a mail merge to print out the table cards.

I'm not really a fan on only one choice because it's almost impossible to find 100 people who all eat one certain dish. Personally I think at the very least you should try a duo a plate along with a vegetarian option.

egm900 · June 2012

I would either offer a duet option or have people select their meal on the response card. The problem with the seating chart and no place cards is that not everyone will sit in the designated seat when they get to the table.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · June 2012

I just told my venue by table. So I gave them a list that said "Table 8 - 4 chicken, 4 beef." You know, like that. I had escort cards, but I didn't need to mark down the entree.

I agree you could do a duet, though.

NOLAbridealmost · June 2012

Just go with buffet. Seriously. People love being able to try both if they like both or double up the portion if they only like one.

melb2013 · June 2012

I'm not the biggest fan of the one option idea. I'd go with either doing to pick ahead option or the same day choices- which ever works for your budget best.

[Deleted User] · June 2012

We are doing a duo chicken/beef combo for our reception. I've asked on our website for people to note any dietary restrictions. I know we have at least in vegetarian and one who alternates vegan to carnivore.