Buffet vs. Stations

We did a seated buffet (one table is released to buffet at a time--then can go back for seconds after everyone has gotten food) it minimized the lines and got everyone food in under 30 min. we went with this because it was an extra $10pp just to have the exact meal plated instead. I also feel like plated dinners (though they look much classier) tend to have cold food by the tie the plate actually makes it to you..

totally your call based on how your caterer prices things! go with the cheaper option then add more choices to even the cost. We spent that extra $10pp to add an additional entree and side option.

I prefer plated, I am severely germophobic and can't stand buffets, even at a wedding.

Plated was actually cheaper for us and it's what I would prefer as a guest also. I don't like having to serve myself as I don't know what the correct portion size is (speaking mostly about the sides, not the entrees) and I don't want to take too little and still be hungry or take too much and someone else doesn't get enough. Also waiting in line, I felt like cattle haha But do what's best for you.

I prefer buffet because then I can take the right portions of what I want!

Awesome, thanks guys so much!

Some caterers will allow more than one buffet station for guests. With plated you also might have to consider the additional cost of servers depending on the caterer, and you could have some additional wait time depending on your wedding size. I think it all depends on your caterer, the size of your wedding, and the venue to see what works best for you. I've been to some very fun 'station' weddings - it also gets you to mingle more!

I've been to both. The problem is some venues don't have stoves and catering is done off site. Like my beautiful venue. Rather have hot food.Either way classy isn't based on buffet or plated. I'm doing buffet.

I am doing buffet. Tables will get called 1 by 1. People are able to choose what they want and no food is wasted. Also the catering staff will be doing the serving

We are doing buffet bc it was almost a 20.00 pp extra cost. We are having a small wedding though 70 people MAX.

It's all good.

I will say that with the money you save by using a buffet, If people as serving themselves they often take more food than they will eat and end up throwing it away and this can really even things out. (I worked for a caterer for several years).

I mean, I'm still doing buffet because I'm doing BBQ, but something to think about! Eyes are bigger than your stomach!

I'm doing a buffet because i work in the food industry and from what i've seen, buffet is the way to go. I can't stand food sitting on plates under a warming lamp (hello, dry wedding chicken and mushy veggies!) and you all would be grossed out by the number of people touching your food as they plate it. what if one of them has a cold? also, i have never had a hot meal at a plated event. it's pretty much always lukewarm.

We're doing plated, and it's what we prefer at other events. Second choice is family style, and in dead last is buffet. I really don't like the long line, worrying about dropping or spilling something, and the casual feel it gives an event. That being said, if you want casual, buffet is a great way to save money! It's always the least expensive.

Plated. Everyone gets their food at the same time, finishes at the same time, no waiting. Much simpler if you ask me and classier imo

I really liked the idea of stations but the food at the other caterer was better so we are going with a buffet for a beef option, salad and sides and then having a pasta station with chicken and shrimp as a compromise to the full station set up

I like stations and think they're super fun, but you have to be careful with how you arrange them and how you organize guests going to them. I went to a wedding with stations, and they released everyone at the 200-person wedding to get food at the same time. I had to wait in long lines for every station, so by the time I got back to my table, the food from the first two stations was cold. We're planning on having a buffet and two stations, and I'm really excited about the large variety of food. We're going to release people in sections so that no one has to wait in a huge line.

I think that with 150 guests, plated is probably best.

I would prefer plated IMO. Not a huge fan of carrying my food around with the number of people and the lines. It's also a bit more formal which is what I like.

However I went to a wedding with a buffet or stations and it worked out fine, I just didn't enjoy the food as much.

Buffet is rarely less expensive because they have to prepare a lot more food.

I'm doing buffet with two lines instead of one so it goes a lot faster.

We are doing plated. Most buffet weddings I've been to I end up waiting in line forever.

My cousin had a wedding with stations. But hers was more of cocktail hour feel the whole night. There were just cocktail tables and the stations were out for 2 hours so we mingled and got food and then mingled some more. So the lines were never more than a person or two in front of you for those stations. It wasn't bad. But if you have everyone seated for dinner and then have everyone get up and head to the stations at the same time or announce by table (like most weddings do with buffets) then there will still be lines and waiting