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Expert December 2012

Buffet or pre-fixed menu?

Aleluya, on January 8, 2016 at 12:48 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 17

I know that everyone has a very different opinion over this topic.... But what is the best? Do you base your answer by budget or by what people like the most? I think that with a pre-fixed menu, you are 'obligating' guests to eat whatever the menu you selected - without giving them the option to decide: I don't like this or I would prefer to pass on that. At the same time I think that pre-fixed menu gives the reception a more classy look/feeling. Is buffet perceived as a cheap option? I like buffet better, 'cause guests could decide on what or not to eat, I would have catering people serving to my guests. Any advice would be really appreciated Smiley smile

17 Comments

Latest activity by MrsE, on January 9, 2016 at 4:54 PM
  • VMDIZZLE
    Master September 2015
    VMDIZZLE ·
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    I do not think a buffet is cheap, I mean I had crab legs on my buffet. It really depends on what look you are going for and what type of food you are offering. I would like a selection, what if there was only beef and I don't eat beef? Are these the two options that you have? If it's either pre-fixed or buffet, I would go with buffet.

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  • Courtney
    VIP June 2016
    Courtney ·
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    We will be picking the menu but serving it buffet style due to our catering budget. we'll be picking simple food that most guests will enjoy or have something they like (pulled pork and pulled chicken probably with three or four sides). If we have them serve food to guests, there's a huge fee for servers as opposed to just letting everyone serve themselves. I have been to many weddings that have done the same and they all flowed fine in my opinion.

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  • Niki
    Master June 2016
    Niki ·
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    We're doing a buffet. I dont think its cheap looking at all, particularly if your caterer offers options like chef attended stations.

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  • Cort
    Savvy August 2016
    Cort ·
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    I used to work for a catering company, and let me tell you - the amount of food wasted at plated/pre-fixed gatherings is crazy! I found that buffets had way less waste, because people got to actually pick what they wanted to eat, as opposed to having something chosen for them that they may not like...

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  • M
    Master July 2015
    m ·
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    Just wanted to pop in and say that the term you're looking for is plated, and the term you're using is prix-fixe, which refers to a fixed price & course dining experience.

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  • bappybride
    Expert August 2016
    bappybride ·
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    For me, a buffet is actually more expensive but we're going for it.

    If you were a guest, wouldn't you prefer to eat as much or as little of what was provided?

    Plus if the serving staff takes too long, the guests could get cranky. If the buffet line is too long, all they have to blame is other guests being too slow, not the catering staff Smiley smile

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  • ELK
    Master March 2018
    ELK ·
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    I think it depends on your caterer. I have only been to one wedding where I enjoyed the plated meal. Usually I enjoy the buffets more because I can load up on the stuff I like (usually carbs..haha)

    The other piece to consider is how many guests you are going to have. I think if you're having a lot of guests (over 100 in my opinion) a plated meal is better because it eliminates guests waiting in line too long for their food.

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  • S&J
    Master August 2017
    S&J ·
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    I'm definitely following this thread. I've never been to a wedding with a buffet. So I was curious to know if it felt less "elegant" than a reception with a plated dinner. My own family has such varied opinions on this.

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  • Kmess
    Master October 2015
    Kmess ·
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    As others have said, buffets can be just as expensive as a plated dinner. It's about the quality of food on the buffet that effects the cost. I've found that people my parents age an older tend to have an attitude that buffet at weddings are less classy than plated, but I think that's pretty antiquated.

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  • bappybride
    Expert August 2016
    bappybride ·
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    Also, I've been to both plated and buffet weddings. I think the buffet allows guests to intermingle a little more in line.

    In both experiences though, nobody really noticed or cared about the presentation of the food.

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  • Jennifer
    Dedicated March 2016
    Jennifer ·
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    FH main focus during planning was the food and drinks. We opted for a 3 course plated dinner, in which the guests will RSVP with their main entree selection. It all depends on your budget. And your personal feelings about it. I've been to weddings with a buffet, and while it was nice to select what I wanted (kind of. They still had to select everything, of course), the lines were always awful! I hear it's also more time considerate to do a seated dinner, since everyone will be served and eating at the same time.

    For some catering places, it's also less costly for a buffet. For ours, it's $20 less per person.

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  • S&J
    Master August 2017
    S&J ·
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    Yeah Jennifer, the lines definitely concern me if it is a large wedding. But the price difference is major. Decisions, decisions!

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  • Dreamer
    Master May 2013
    Dreamer ·
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    Plated are the norm, in my family/social circle. They are also formal/evening weddings. I've only attended 4 weddings that had buffets and they were all less than memorable.

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  • ReadyToBeARathfon
    Devoted April 2017
    ReadyToBeARathfon ·
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    We are choosing buffet and adding fun to with with stations (mac and cheese bar). Buffets will only seem cheap if you allow it to. I personally don't like having to decide what I want to eat for a certain day weeks or months in advanced. Buffets allow picky eaters like me to sill be able to get full vs a plated meal where I may only eat one item.

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  • A
    Expert December 2012
    Aleluya ·
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    So, to give you a background, we will have a Destination Wedding. We are both from different countries so that's why I think a buffet (that combines both countries) will be the best option. However, our wedding is on a 'Spanish Colonial' theme, giving to our countries history... So regardless I preffer a fixed menu... But I think that I would go by a buffet just to have more fun, and also guests can decide either to eat a good slice of pork or a stew chicken... Food from both countries are so delicious that I dont have any doubt people will still enjoy it! Thanks to all for your reco's!! Smiley smile

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  • MrsMcCoy
    VIP April 2016
    MrsMcCoy ·
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    In every wedding I have attended, plated meals are never served hot and have been underwhelming to me. At least with buffet style, my food is always hot when I sit down with it.

    We are doing buffet style for about 100 people. If you call people up by tables, the DJ can play music and guests can easily chat at their table. It's usually not a big issue in my experiences.

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  • MrsE
    VIP August 2014
    MrsE ·
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    Buffet is great because the food stays hot, guests can choose what to eat or not eat and as much or as little as they want, and it's economical not tacky or cheap.

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