Pros and cons of buffet vs. plated

My vote is buffet. My reason is people may not like one or more of the things served and get more of others. If you go plated you may have guests left hungry, which is not cool. I can't recall ever going to a plated wedding reception, but other things plated, and this was the case. At our wedding, my niece had about 3 helpings of the potatoes and fettuccine because they were so good, while my other family had extra green beans.

I'm team plated. I've never been a fan of standing in line for food. Even when the DJ calls the tables up individually there's always been a line. I also have never left a plated meal hungry so not sure why that would happen. I also like the idea of the professionals transporting food to the tables. On more than one occasion I've seen ladies dressed in formal dresses/heels trip while carrying a plate full of food back to their tables. It isn't for me. I know it can be done beautifully but it isn't for us.

Does the cost different include staffing?

Plated always costs more, there need to be more servers because people ALWAYS make weird requests.

Your aunt Sally is chose the vegetarian entree until she saw the delicious lemon rosemary chicken come out, and now she wants that. Shes going to tell a service staffer she wants it instead. They have to make it happen.

Plated is always more expensive. but its one plate of food. The portions (depending on your caterer) are usually enough for one meal.

Buffet is usually cheaper, and has more food. A LOT of food gets thrown away after buffets, so keep that in mine if it's something that you care about.

I also think plated looks nicer and they're fun to plate up, from a chef's perspective.

ETA: A meet in the middle option is family-style. Ask your caterer if they do this! Staff brings platters of food to the table and they pass it around thanksgiving style to get whatever portions they want without having to stand in line. If the platter runs out they bring more.

Team buffet here. For me, it's cheaper doing it that way vs having it plated.

I like buffets for smaller groups, but I rarely see one for more than 50 guests.

In my area, many of the cocktail hours include buffet stations, so the sit down entree makes the most sense, so people aren't standing in a buffet line all night. I just think it's a little more gracious too.

For 150 guests, with a served salad and bread course at the table, you'll need at least two lines with servers or it'll take forever.

I think plated is more formal / elegant.

I vote a plated meal. If not getting enough food is your concern then I would ask your caterer to ensure enough food is served which I'm sure will be the case. I have been to a fair number of each style and I have never gone hungry. Just make sure on the RSVP that you let them choose which kind of entree they want and an option for a kids meal. It's much easier for guests with young children and elderly people to have their food served to them. Just my opinion, hope this helps.

I agree with the preference for buffets with smaller groups. Personally, if I were planning for 150 guests, I would go with a plated meal.

We offer a buffet option where I work. It's never been used for one of out 100+ guest weddings; it's more so seen with our 45-90 wedding guest events.

We're doing plates because the buffet takes up too much room. If I did a buffet I would have to have 20 fewer guests.

I prefer plated. I don't like the idea of my guests having to wait in line for their meals. Of course they get more options with a buffet, there are definitely pros and cons to each. I just prefer plated.

Plated. Less stressful for you and the guests.

Thank you for all of the input, keep it coming!! I never thought about an added expense with plated due to servers I wonder if that's why she was pushing plated over buffet. We do have an Italian family and one of my biggest fears is guests going home hungry! This happened at my brothers wedding which was plated. I like the feeling and ambiance of a more formal plated meal but don't want people to only eat some of their meal as one person pointed out.

I think with a party that size plated would be the best option just so the buffet stations won't get so congested.

Buffet was actually more expensive at our venue. Plated is more formal for sure and easier for your guests. As long as you have a good caterer I wouldn't worry about people going hungry

For main entrees, I vote plated. A buffet is okay but if you have over 100 guests, that's a long wait to get food.

I don't think a buffet is a wise idea for 150 people.

Plated. Buffet is nice for small weddings, not for your wedding. Too many people, too long a line, possibility of running out. People with food allergies will you tell you and they can accommodate those people, so no worries there.

As for family style, I'm not a fan of that for large weddings either. Guests sharing a big plate of food is fine when they're actually family or know one another, but strangers not so much. Plus, someone at the table always takes more and more of something, leaving less for everyone else.

Buffet people have multiple choices

I love the duet plates, and I love family style too. One of our most popular venues does a family style salad on each table, with olives, mozzarella, pesto, and roasted veggies. Then they serve dinner family style; two entrees with sides. This is after a fabulous cocktail hour.

I think it's great!

We will probably do buffet, partly because some of our preferred venue choices only offer buffet, and partly because I like people being able to make their own plate and eat what/as much as they want. I'm a picky eater, so I personally always prefer buffets, and I know there are a couple of people who will be coming who will likely be pickier.