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Savvy November 2020

Dinner time ....caterer

Leighann, on October 2, 2019 at 8:15 AM Posted in Planning 0 12

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So we've found two caterers. One $20 pp buffet style $24 seated served. My fh found one thats $18 pp they come drop off the food and leave buffet style. Our venue we are responsible for trash and clean up. Talk me down ladies lol. I would rather the $24 seated they serve take the trash. I don't have to care they do the plates and clean up. I tell him this he said I'll hire two people to serve food. 😑. I said two people to serve food to 100 people. Who is plating the food dear. He said they will have it plated before they start serving. 😐 Two people serving one hundred people so the last table sorry about the cold food? .... Deep cleaning breaths.... How do I word this for him to make him understand other than plain common sense English

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12 Comments

Latest activity by AshleyR, on October 2, 2019 at 12:37 PM

Super December 2021
Alyssa · on October 2, 2019 at 8:21 AM
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I will always choose to pay more for a seated dinner over buffet. Guests HATE waiting in line, and it helps the flow of your event as you can do toasts while people are waiting for their plates to be served. In this case it is also worth the extra cost for the clean up. You do NOT want to have to clean up your own wedding or bribe your family to do it. Besides, they will not serve 100 plates then serve them-they do it methodically to keep food warm.
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Master January 2015
null · on October 2, 2019 at 8:29 AM
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I would definitely go with the more expensive option to handle serving and clean up. We're having buffet style barbecue at our wedding that will be in warmers and our DOC will be breaking down and cleaning up everything at the end of the night. I think your FH may be doing what a lot of men are guilty of at times, seeing the big picture lol I feel like if you keep explaining it in terms of food being served cold, he'll eventually have that "OH YEAH YOU'RE RIGHT" moment
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Expert May 2021
Jaime · on October 2, 2019 at 8:35 AM
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More expensive seated option all the way.
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Dedicated December 2019
Decemberbride · on October 2, 2019 at 8:41 AM
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$24 for a plated meal including service, prep and clean up?! That is a steal! Definitely worth the extra expense over buffet. Our caterer is charging us $160 per person for a 3 course seated dinner, open bar 9 hours, passed appetizers and a midnight plated meal. At least one server per 10 guests is recommended. They have to serve dinner, clear table and also serve drinks.
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Just Said Yes August 2020
Paige · on October 2, 2019 at 8:44 AM
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Honestly. Breaking it down that's 600 dollars extra for peace of mind. I, of course dont know your budget, but hiring servers, and then having to clean up afterwards isnt the best idea. From my hospitality background anyway, usually its 1 server to about 3-4 tables so you'd need about 3 or 4.Plus some venues are shady and will take advantage of the fact you may not clean properly and charge more or keep the deposits. Pay the extra for sit down dinner.
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Dedicated June 2022
Valencia · on October 2, 2019 at 9:08 AM
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So $4 extra per person to have it seated... I would go with that option. I would tell FH if you “hire” someone to serve then you still will end up paying more then the cheapest option so might as well pay for the seated dinner... guests hate waiting in line and 100 people could cause for a long line...
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VIP October 2019
Ivy ORP · on October 2, 2019 at 9:39 AM
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For the peace of mind and lack of added stress and work, that is a deal!!! I would remind him that the reception is supposed to be a time for you both to celebrate with loved ones, not worry about food temps, serving, and clean up. Even if he did hire two people the food could not possibly be served efficiently enough for 100 people and food temps cannot be properly monitored and maintained. If nothing else, let him know the plated option will at least cover the staff that will prevent you and your guests from eating cold food, or worse food left out too long that can go bad fast.
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Super March 2020
Watts · on October 2, 2019 at 10:07 AM
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Keep in mind with the serving staff you then have to tip and that adds $120-$200 if you have 2 servers
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Legend June 2019
Melle · on October 2, 2019 at 10:45 AM
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Does the $20 pp one help clean and take down and serve too?
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Lady · on October 2, 2019 at 11:50 AM
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A buffet is not a big deal, but you should have people there to clear plates, refill food trays, clean up and tear down the buffet after. if the $20 pp doesn't cover that either, I would absolutely pay $24 pp to have all that included.
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VIP March 2019
Yoice · on October 2, 2019 at 12:07 PM
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I agree! Try to conceive him to go with the $24 because is a better option in the end. He can do the math in the end how much it would cost to hire 2 people to do all that work which is not enough people by the way.
I had 4 waiters for 47 guest including husband and I and we had buffet style. We also had people serving and a chef since we had a grill that certain food was being cook in front of you. I don’t think 2 people to serve, clean up, serve water, wine and champagne toast for 100 people is not enough!
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Master January 2021
AshleyR · on October 2, 2019 at 12:37 PM
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Does the $20 buffet also include servers and clean up? If so I’d compromise with him and go with that option instead of seated. As long as there’s enough servers helping the buffet move along there isn’t a problem with serving buffet style. When you get into the “self serve” buffet is where the issues are, people will take too much and food will run out, no one is making sure the food stays filled and hot, trash becomes an issue, etc.
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