Plated Dinner VS. Buffet

If you love the venue it doesn't matter.

I personally like plated better because as a guest, I never liked the lines. People knocking into me with ladles and forks. People not getting something they wanted because they ran out. I never liked being over whelmed with choices and not being able to think for a minute because people were behind me. I never liked people running into me with food plates and dirtying my clothes. I never liked having to get back up to get more bread. Ect.. Basically I've had a lot of clothes ruined with a buffet. That doesn't always happen though.

Also I've been a guest to a couple weddings where rude things happened. With people getting up for seconds or thirds and people making comments about their size. I've also had a friend of mine tell me the photographer took pics of the buffet and the line ect.. and they didn't like that. I'm not sure why besides the look on peoples faces and the food that fell on the floor and all over the table cloth.

Cont.. sorry.

The bride and groom get their food person by a person following them. They never see the mess. But usually a couple people get knocked into.

I do not think it matters. I've been to buffet and plated. I think plated is more elegant a bit more classic. Buffets are great for smaller weddings and laid back beach weddings and things. In the end you're feeding people. It doesn't matter.

Tabatha, you've answered your own questions with this reply. You dont like alot of things about a buffet. So obviously this one should be easy, plated...... I am having a buffet though. We offer two options to select. And frankly I didn't want to spend in access of money for others to enjoy my day. I am paying $25 per plate which is pretty inexpensive but can add up. I think just offering great food no matter it being plated or buffet is what matters. Good luck on your decision.

Shaton that isn't my post. lol I was just offering my opinion. haha. But thanks! I think Buffet and seated are fine.. Like I said you're feeding people so who cares! lol

Even though we are formal, I chose buffet due to my budget, but agree with Tabatha. Sounds like you prefer a plated, then I say go for it. I could not afford the extra staff for a plated dinner.

I would do plated... i hate having to wait for people to decide what they want lol

And it depends how your caterers run the buffet line. You can have two stations set up where the line is minimal. I am having a buffet style and we aren't having it where people will have to wait in line. I too, like Shaton am having an nice easy selection menu and the food is the BOMB. I know my guests will have a great time!

I actually can't remember if I've ever been to a plated dinner wedding. So I'm going to say that I haven't. I have no problems with buffet, and haven't experienced the mess and ruined clothes like Tabitha. I actually like buffet because I get to choose my food and portions.

I think if you love the venue, and buffet can be served graciously; the bridal party should be served at their table, there should be enough lines (with servers) so that that the lines move quickly. Your dj should call table numbers, and it's probably good to keep the 'activity' stations to a minimum (so people aren't waiting for pasta to be cooked, crepes to be stuffed......)

It can absolutely work; it's just a different style.

I am having a buffet styled dinner. Plated would have been a little bit more expensive. I have been to both kind of weddings, and I like them both. The only thing is that with plated, you may be hungry afterwards, or it may be a dish that is not very familiar with guests (I had a chicken dish that wasn't too great at a plated dinner). Its all up to you.

Also, most of my family is Puerto Rican and some of fh's family is not, so we wanted two options. Buffet style was easier that way. I also want my guests to be full and get more if they would like.

Depending on how formal and how long your reception is I would do buffet...plated tends to take up to 2 hours if not longer where a buffet is only about an hour.. we did buffet me DH and the BP were all served and the line moved very quickly.. Plus buffet tends to be a little cheaper

I wanted to do a plated dinner. When we went and talked to them it was only about $100 more for a buffet with 4 entree selections and the rest. So we are going to do the buffet. All the wedding I have been to have been buffet. Do what feels right to you and your budget.

I have no issues with a buffet, as long as it is not self serve.

You do have some issues with a plated dinner for people with food allergies or intolerances- so keep that in mind.

I personally like the idea of a buffet. I think the food tends tog et cold when it's plated. I also thinks that if you make it so that there is little congestion in line (by calling up a table or two at a time), it's really not so bad. Most of my family does the buffet style of reception, and I've really preferred that to the other option.

Plated is definitely more formal. I am just not a fan of it. I'd rather choose my food, sides, and portions rather than receive a plate of food and quite possible waste half of it depending on what was included on it. People can go heavy on the veggies and light on the starches if preferred, or vise versa. If they fill up on appetizers, they can take small portions for dinner instead of wasting a whole plate that they don't hav ethe appetite to eat. They aren't stuck with what they are served.

We are having a buffet, but we are having a smaller (70ish) daytime wedding. As much as I prefer a buffet anyway, it just kinda makes more sense than a formal sit-down plated dinner to me for our situation.

I absolutely love our caterer. They have so much experience catering at our venue (both with buffet and plated) and I have no doubts in their ability to make and manage an elegant buffet. Plus, our food is absolutely amazing.

We're having a buffet, it costs more per person but at least I know they won't go home hungry. I hate going to a wedding and an hour after dinner I'm hungry. Plus our food is sooooo yummy I want to eat as much as I can lol. We also have some guys who can eat like crazy. We're also doing a veggie tray, fruit tray, cheese tray and salmon tray at the end of the night along with a coffee station that way people can snack if they need to. And I was really happy when our venue (which is a hotel) said they'd pack up the leftovers and put a few take out boxes in the fridge in our room for after the wedding. The contract said the food can't leave the banquet room but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask if we could have a plate made up. So if you're having it at a hotel be sure to ask!

FH and I went to several weddings where plated was offered. We chose buffet. This way, we can offer more meats and sides dishes.

Cyndi, we are getting boxed up leftovers from our caterer as well. I want any and all of our leftover stuffed chicken. It is quite possibly one of the best things I have ever eaten in my life haha.

Also, I believe with our caterer, buffet is actually more expensive than plated as well. Buffets when you think about it should actually need more food cooked up than a plated to ensure that you don't run out of items for guests, to account for people taking larger portions. So to me, it makes sense that a buffet option would be more expensive. Personally, I'm always a little worried when people say that their buffet is cheaper than plated.

I wouldnt mind going to a reception that had a buffet, that way I could get exactly what I eat and not something that I wouldnt.

We did a family style service, where they serve big platters to each table and people got to choose for themselves. Everyone loved that idea.

And we gave out left overs at the end of the night.

We went with the buffet because it allowed us more choices, cheaper, as well as bigger portions for the guests. Our caterer, like a few others mentioned, will box up our left overs for us or deliver them to a homeless shelter if we do not want them.