Are Buffets Really That Bad?

I've only been to buffet meal weddings, they are what's most common in my area. I went to one wedding with a plated meal and, in my opinion, the food was no better or worse than a buffet meal. I don't think there's anything wrong with it!

I never mind a buffet, as long as the wait to get food isn't forever. I've been to several nice weddings, and the buffet didn't take away from the formality of the event.

I think buffets are fine with a smaller group, but with a wedding of your size the lines can become very long. Do you know how many stations will be set up? That would be my only concern.

There is nothing wrong with a buffet if it's managed well.

We use to do the salad plated on the table, then the buffet (for 150? two lines and no exhibition cooking; every dish served by a server so it takes no time) and dessert at the table.

Your price is very, very reasonable to begin with.

Maybe check to see if they do family style? It's kind of the best of both worlds, and two of my farm venues do this exclusively.

I think a Buffett is fine but it more casual. I prefer a seated meal, but if you are looking to cut costs I don't see an issue with the change.

I actually prefer buffet so I can pick and choose exactly what I want for sides and such, and forgo what I won't eat. The only issue I see with yours- being a bigger wedding, you should have multiple lines so it doesn't take people FOREVER to get their food.

I think buffets are fine as long as you have enough serving lines so people arent waiting for ever to eat.

All the weddings I have gone to have been buffet and the food was amazing! I don't think it took away from the wedding being fancy or not.

The only problem with buffet (aside from a slight shift in "feel"- which isn't a problem persay- but it is noticable imho) is that it can get annoying waiting for your table to be released then standing in line waiting for food.

But - nothing wrong with it as long as the catering staff can handle the volume of people.

It depends on the formality of occasion. I went to a wedding where I wrongly assumed from the formality of the venue, invite, and the like, that it was going to be a plated meal. It was buffet. It was a pain it the arse to get up and walk across the huge venue carrying a plate in a cocktail dress.

For less formal weddings, in smaller venues, buffets work really well.

I don't think you can go wrong either way! Most weddings I've been to have been buffets. One piece of advice I have, if you venue space allows, is to have two lines going down either side of the buffet to eliminate a long wait time.

eta: grammar

I've never been to a wedding with a plated meal, they've all been buffet dinners. I've never had a problem with it and it didn't take away from the wedding or reception at all.

Buffets are problematic only when the food runs out (people have a tendency to really load up their plates at buffets), plates and utensils run out, or the set up causes a very long line to form.

If you go with a buffet, make sure to ask about "per plate" charge. A venue may only put out the exact # of plates per person and if additional plates come out, the couple is charged for each additional plate. I learned this only because I overheard a MOB arguing with the caterer that those who wanted seconds went up for a clean plate, didn't see any, so asked the venue. The venue brought out clean plates for them and charged the couple.

I don't know if that's common practice regarding buffets. ... ???

I went to a wedding once that had a buffet and they ran out of food by the time I got to the front of the line! Just make sure there's enough food that everyone will get some!

Are Buffets Really That Bad?

Only if you ask BuffetKaren!

Seriously though, buffets are fine.

Just make sure there's plenty of food, and enough stations/line areas so that it doesn't get too backed up or crowded in one area.

Heh- buffetkaren- yas.

I'll be honest -- I haven't been to many buffet weddings. My preference is a plated meal, but my reasoning for that has more to do with guest experience than quality of food. I know that you can have delicious food served at a buffet -- no doubt about that. My biggest issue, and one that, as a hostess, would have me filled with anxiety, would be watching one table sitting there without plates, while other tables were busy eating. Waiting on line and carrying plates aren't do or die issues for me (although given the option, I'd prefer to avoid that), but I just can't get around the fact that somebody is going to be first in line, and somebody is going to be last. I've also read posts that the food became scarce (or disappeared) by the time the last guests were on line (although I'd suspect that comes under the "100 guests with a $5K budget" category). As long as your servers are diligent with portion control, that shouldn't be an issue.

Just curious, OP...the $36 figure you quoted for every plated guest after 100...that was the cost of the plate, not an additional charge added to the cost of each plate after the first 100 plates, right? If so, I think $36 is a still a steal for a plated meal.

Secondly, has your photographer confirmed that he/she will need several extra hours to get the shots you want?

I agree with making certain that there is enough food if you go with either buffet or family style. This is why many places have their own servers dishing out food to people (limit portions) and have tables come up one by one (so no gets seconds before everyone served). Some may not like that, you have to understand venue's pricing and service.

The only place I do not mind a buffet is at a wedding. Skip the plated meal and pay the photographer for the extra hours! As other people have stated, definitely have two lines and/or servers to make the food line go quicker!