Bring plates from table to buffet?

Well you could always set a table early in the day and have pictures taken then put them back at the buffet table. The silverware would be ok at the tables but I have a feeling there would be some confusion about taking your plate with you because most people are used to the plates being at the beginning of the buffet line.

You could have chargers on the place settings. But food safety regulations as enforced by the health department and caterers have to follow say that you have to have a clean plate each time through the line and it makes more sense to have them stacked at the beginning of the buffet line. Plus your guests will be confused by having to carry their plate twice.

Pre-pandemic, I went to a wedding with a buffet that did this and there was some confusion - about half of the people had to go back to their tables to grab the plates! That said, it didn’t delay dinner too much and there was very minimal grumbling from guests, so overall it was ok. Personally, I’ve never liked it when my dinnerware is sitting in the open while everyone is moving around and shuffling seats, and I suspect that has become a much more common sentiment with the pandemic.

I don't see a problem with that! You could always have the DJ or someone make an announcement for people to take their plates with them

View Quoted Comment Oh good to know you’ve experienced this! I definitely don’t want to cause confusion! I’ll have to look into if my venue has chargers in their decor closet

We are in a same spot. We are having the tables set with the napkin silverware and drink glasses and having the plates at the buffet so they get it when they get up there. Especially with covid I would not put the plates out in the table ahead of time.

View Quoted Comment I like this idea a lot! I think we will do this! Set one table for pics and then put them back for the buffet 😂 so smart!

View Quoted Comment I think that’s what we will do too. I didn’t think about people being confused! I liked Nichole’s idea of setting one table for pics and then putting those plates back at the buffet

View Quoted Comment I’ll check with my venue to see if they have chargers! They had a whole decor closet I could use!

I am also having a buffet style and I will definitely do table setting and I will have some extra plates at the buffet.. I don’t think it’s weird to have our guest bring the plates for the food.

View Quoted Comment Hope it works out for you!