Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Jennifer
Expert March 2017

How to release tables for a buffet dinner?

Jennifer, on January 11, 2017 at 8:45 AM

Posted in Etiquette and Advice 33

I've been speaking with my DOC to plan out the wedding day. She suggested playing a 'bride and groom' trivia game and whoever gets the question correct first gets their table released to the buffet line. She said she's done this before and it helps the flow of the line and keeps your guests...

I've been speaking with my DOC to plan out the wedding day. She suggested playing a 'bride and groom' trivia game and whoever gets the question correct first gets their table released to the buffet line. She said she's done this before and it helps the flow of the line and keeps your guests entertained and occupied rather than waiting in line for their food.

I'm not really a fan of it and I know how most of you on WW don't like wedding games, but my DOC insists that everyone just loves this game and it's always been fun. I want to skip it, but I'm not sure how it usually works with a buffet dinner. Do all the guests get up at one time, or do I have the DJ announce table numbers every 5 or 10 minutes?

33 Comments

  • Laura2.0
    VIP March 2017
    Laura2.0 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Its also more time consuming to play the game. The question has to be asked, people are sitting there thinking about the answer, then you have all these people yelling out answers, and you gotta determined who said what first. If no one knows the answer everyone is just sitting there. I don't how this worked for her before.

    • Reply
  • Kathleen Smith
    Kathleen Smith ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    No games. I would feel like a monkey performing for my reward. You don't want to see me "hangry". Smiley smile

    • Reply
  • R&B2016
    VIP October 2016
    R&B2016 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    That's gonna be a hard no from me. Have the DJ, DOC, or Maitre D release tables in order. Simple.

    • Reply
  • karen
    Master October 2017
    karen ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Absolutely no games. I worry about your DOC's experience/maturity/taste if she would even suggest this. Have her go around quietly. Also, she should be making certain that any older people or anyone who needs help, as in carrying plate, gets help.

    I would not go with bride and groom first, that is like a children' s birthday party. Etiquette says host eats last. I would have any tables with older people, like grandparents, go first, then random, with my younger friends next to last, then b/g/BP

    • Reply
  • Alyssa B.
    Super April 2017
    Alyssa B. ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Our day of coordinator is having venue staff go table by table and relaseing people to get their food.

    • Reply
  • S
    Dedicated November 2018
    smithsonian ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Don't think you need a game for releasing for dinner, but we played the shoe game and it was hilarious!

    • Reply
  • MrsSki
    Master April 2017
    MrsSki ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Um, your DOC is wrong. No one loves it; they're just being polite when she asks them what they think. Just go by table numbers. ETA: bride and groom to first if you're doing table visits so you can scarf down a few bites before making your rounds

    • Reply
  • The-New-Mrs-K
    Expert July 2017
    The-New-Mrs-K ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I've only been to one wedding that did this, but the questions were specifically tailored to work with the groups at the tables (questions about our kickball team, her time in Peace Corps, his time in law school, their travels with friends, etc). None of the questions were obscure and the buffet lines flowed well. They also had some of the best food I've ever had at a wedding (really delicious Moroccan food).

    • Reply
  • MrsSpenc
    Devoted October 2016
    MrsSpenc ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    At our wedding we dismissed by table number through the DJ. The entire process took MAYBE 15 minutes. Granted our wedding only has about 120 people. This method works great for smaller weddings.

    • Reply
  • M
    Just Said Yes May 2019
    Mike ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    The DJ should never, ever, ever. Call tables.
    What is this the tacobell dining room?
    they should however make an announcement that the catering staff will be coming around releasing tables. Starting with bride and groom and to please stay seated until their table is called.
    Here is why.
    1. The DJ doesn’t know when food is ready.
    2. If the catering staff needs to buy sometime to get more food or to take a tray out
    3. Sometime the buffet might not be in the same room as the dining room
    4. The DJ doesn’t know peoples dietary restrictions or if you have someone who has diabetes and needs to eat at a certain time.

    so anything that’s food related please use the catering staff.
    anything that’s music related falls on the DJ
    • Reply
  • Suzie
    Super October 2021
    Suzie ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Our caterer will be calling tables up, they already have a system they say works best. Do you have catering staff on site that can help? If you’re not up for the game, then let her know, it’s your day! I agree this sounds like a bad way to call up tables.

    • Reply
  • Naikesha
    Super September 2020
    Naikesha ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I’m laughing so hard at these comments I agree with most but WW have the most passionate people against table games. Please don’t have your guest waiting for food and I also don’t like table #s in order because the last table gets cold food picked over
    • Reply
  • S
    October 2019
    Sandra ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    If you are going to have a buffet style dinner make sure the grandparents are fed first. Elderly usually have health issues and depending how long they have been waiting since arriving to the wedding, it could help prevent a crisis. Not to mention its just respectful.
    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×


WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Learn more

Rockstars

  • D
    Getting married in 07/03/2025

Groups

WeddingWire article topics