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VIP October 2020

Buffet Line Dinner Confusion

Taylor, on December 31, 2019 at 11:48 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 5

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I need a little clarification. When talking about catering, we were originally going to do a buffet line to avoid a long wait to get meals out. We talked about a grilled chicken with pesto cream sauce or bacon wrapped pork loin option, a side salad, green beans, and garlic mashed potatoes with rolls and iced tea. There are projected to be around 200 guests. When speaking with the caterer, she told me we'd need 200 of each entree... so we'd literally be paying double of what is actually "needed". Is this normal? I knew we probably wouldn't be able to split it down the middle but having enough for everyone to have an entire serving of each seems insane. Would I be better off doing a more simple meal of fajitas so there isn't even an option? Our wedding won't be SUPER fancy by any standards anyway. Or should I do a plated meal and ask the guests to give me a meal preference? Any guidance would be VERY appreciated because I am at a loss. Thanks!

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Latest activity by Taylor, on December 31, 2019 at 2:18 PM

Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on December 31, 2019 at 11:59 AM
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Most caterers will use their own experience to determine how many of each entree is needed. I've never heard of needing one of each entree for every single guest. That sounds very expensive and even more wasteful. If you're concerned about time, a plated meal would be muuuch quicker than sending 200 people through a buffet line.
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VIP October 2020
Taylor · on December 31, 2019 at 12:07 PM
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That was also my thought... It seemed like a lot of thrown out food to me.
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VIP August 2021
Jennifer · on December 31, 2019 at 1:27 PM
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I went to a wedding recently with a buffet with two entrees. At first some guests thought you could only choose one (there was no attendant), but after someone found a waiter and asked, they let our table know before they dismissed us that we could have both entrees, and they let the tables that had gone up already get that second one if they wanted it. Maybe your venue does that too, where each guest can have both entrees if they want? It still sounds like crazy amount of waste though!
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VIP January 2019
Maggie · on December 31, 2019 at 1:51 PM
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This is one reason why buffet isn't always cheaper than plated, though that is the common assumption. Plated requires more staff but buffet requires more food. When people are faced with more choices, they often take some of everything, which leads to needing more food overall.

The entree portions on the buffet might be smaller than if they were going to be served plated, to accommodate this. But unless the chicken breast is sliced, one breast is one breast. I would compare the pricing between buffet and plated, and ask your caterer how long they estimate it will take to serve 200 using each method. That will help you decide which is best for you.
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VIP October 2020
Taylor · on December 31, 2019 at 2:18 PM
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Yes, I'm definitely going to ask. It's an outside caterer so all the food, waitstaff, etc. will have to be brought in. Based on my math, it looks like plated will be several hundred dollars cheaper because I won't have to order unnecessary food. I'm estimating 8 servers to be needed for 200 people at $35/hour for 3 hours. They should be able to fill the water canisters on the table, serve, bus, and clean up... I would think. Guess I'll have to see what the caterer says.
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