Plated meal vs Buffet: Pros and Cons of each?

We chose a buffet. Both options were the same price at our venue, so it wasn't really about the cost. We have a small guest list, so a buffet wouldn't be a huge hassle like it would be with a huge guest list. I liked the fact that picky eaters like me could choose what they want and leave out what they don't. We also liked the fact that people could go for seconds, since the food is going to be amazing!

We had a buffet because that's what is common practice in my large family. I feel like it was a cost saver because the food we used (hibachi buffet) was easy to make large amounts at a good rate. Our venue had waiters serve our guests an Asian salad so they wouldn't be hungry waiting for the buffet lines, but they served two lines of people at once. I think it depends what food you're serving too, and imagine how it can be plated nicely and if not then let people pick it out in a buffet line. Another good rule of thumb is if you offering any authentic, or cultural food that are not typical wedding food it might be best to let guests choose what they want or don't want through a buffet. Plated meals are nice, and maybe I'm just picky but I like to see my food if I can before I order it/eat it. Good luck!

Thank you guys!

We had stations. It's interactive. We had a lot of variety. Everyone loved it. The room was set beautifully so I think we still had a formal feel.

Ok I was thinking that I would have stations if I went the buffet route.

I like both, but I think buffets are better suited for smaller weddings. We have a small guest list as well and will likely do buffet. My family is "country" and would prefer a buffet anyway.

I think buffets can definitely be a cost saver, but there is often less of a hassle to do plated.

We are also doing stations, mainly because I hate sitting through dinner at weddings,so I didn't want to make my guests sit through one! We want a social event!

A manager at my venue said people's food will be hotter with a buffet. she's been working there for 25 years. that works for me.

Hmmm.. that's good to know

We are doing family style. Each table will get a big plate of each item to pass around. Kind of half way in between buffet and plated.

The price was the same for plated or buffet for us, so we chose buffet because that's our preference. I'm have food restrictions so I dislike when I receive a plated meal and can only have a part of it, the part is often quite small. With plated I can take a larger amount of what I like and be satisfied. I do think that played has more of a formal feel to it... It's just that I always end up hungry. A lot if people will say the buffet food is cold which is not true, that's just a poorly organized buffet. The same can be said for plated.

I have been told the same thing about buffets being easier to keep the food hot by several caterers that I talked to. We are doing a buffet.

Another vote for buffet.

Funny, usually all the plated meal snobs come out for these threads but this seems to be weighing heavily towards buffet.

I like the extra options, and that guests can take as much as they like of what they want, and skip what they won't eat. Our guest list is small enough, and we can do it double sided so people will get through quickly. I have had breakfast buffet brunches at our venue and they are seriously amazing. They know what they are doing.

In our area (north jersey), all weddings I've gone to and the one I'm having will be formal with a sit down dinner. We have a huge cocktail hour with carving stations, antipasti, pasta, passed hour d'oeuvres, seafood bar and even sushi, which most people fill up on especially picky eaters but the plated is what our older guests look forward too because they are served as course dinner. I like it this way because everyone gets what they want.

I did plated. It was the same price as buffet so it seemed like a no brainer. I've always liked the perceived elegance of a plated meal and am not a fan of standing in line for my food like I'm in a high school cafeteria. No offense to those with buffet meals, there are many valid points as to why that's the best option for other couples and I know not everyone views the buffet concept the same way I do. Just saying that's what I preferred. I also feel like the waitstaff is more inclined to clear plates sooner with a plated meal rather than let them sit at the table in case the guest wants seconds or thirds.

I went to a work event. It was buffet. Instead of having 2 lines, they had this one gigantic buffet. It took forever and the food was cold by the time I got to eat.

I have also been to buffet weddings where they had more than one buffet and everything ran smoothly.

We chose stations because allowed people choice, but it was also more interesting. There were all sorts of things you could choose and a chef there making or carving the item for you.

i don't think one way is better than another. For our wedding, the stations was what we wanted and what would work best with our guests.

We are doing a buffet because we have quite a few picky eaters (especially FH). I don't want to keep track of what people want to eat so they can pick and choose what they want and how much. Buffets can be formal too just depends on how it is set up. Also it helps to not have everyone go at once if possible. I don't feel like a plated meal is that different from the service you would get at a restaurant (fancy or not).

We're doing a buffet, the one thing I don't like about plated meals is the time it takes. They say you get more portions when you do a buffet.

Plated dinner. I think the food should come to the guests, not the other way around.

Thanks, everyone. I have only been to buffet weddings. But when I see the plated weddings on t.v. (darn four weddings show), they just look so much less chaotic. BUT, I do love the idea of having different stations and variety. And I want people to be paying attention to other things (like me, lol) not wondering when they are going to get food. Hmmm....