Reception food.. buffet or 3 course meal??

I’d go with plated (3-course meal)... just as you, I’ve always hated waiting in line for food. It doesn’t even have to do with the amount of people in the wedding (it can be 25), it’s with the fact that you’re making people stand and go into a line to “ask for food.” I’d rather have my guests served on my wedding. There are a few pros to the buffet though, your FH is right in the fact that there’s usually miren food, but I think the con is that it takes away a bit from the formality of the event.

View Quoted Comment That’s exactly how I feel... it takes away the vibe...

I agree with PP. I’ve always hated standing in line to get food at weddings. This was something we debated heavily though. We ultimately decided on the plated dinner. For the reason that we didn’t want people waiting and it was actually a little cheaper to do plated. And at our venue the servings a pretty decent. Hopefully your venue will provide big enough servings so no one is left hungry. Have you guys done a tasting yet? Is there on option to change to buffet if you find that the three course meal just wouldn’t be enough to get guests full? I’ve also seen that people sometimes do two lines for the buffet. With a guest list of 50 ish that may help cut down on wait time if you do the buffet.

I had 47 guest at my wedding including husband and myself and we went with buffett option. My guest LOVED it! We had a lot of options and even a section with steak and shrimp cook on the gril right in front of you. We didn’t really have long lines and most of my guest went for seconds. It was great!
Now I did consider a 3 course meal when planning mostly because it fitted our formal style more but when I saw everything buffett offers vs one small plate it was a non brained. Husband is one to always stay hungry at weddings and I’m one to never really like what I get so the different options worked out great.
A tip to make the lines shorter is to have menus on the tables. I had 2 menus per table with every item we were ordering and this made the process easier and faster. Everyone knew the fish they were getting was mahi and the soup was seafood. It avoids having to ask the servers.

We're having a plated meal. I think buffets are messy and having a waiter come to the table gives the guests more time to chill and talk in one place.

We had a plated multi course meal. But we also had a cocktail hour before dinner with stations and passed appetizers as well as multiple dessert options after dinner. So I don’t think anyone left hungry!

View Quoted Comment So we are doing a DW to Cancún so we won’t be able to taste anything until maybe days prior.. this are some good follow up questions for my wedding coordinator.. thank you

View Quoted Comment I was also thinking that, due to only 50ppl that the lines won’t be long compared to what I have experienced.. was yours a DW as well??

View Quoted Comment We are also doing that so I assume no one will be hungry either... thank you

View Quoted Comment I completely agree!!! And that’s why I don’t want a buffet but FH insists we do.. lol

My venue includes the food as two options,
buffet or salad, 2 entree plate
Also includes hor dourves during cocktail hour
since my wedding is formal I’m going with the plated option.

Plated! Especially for only 50 guests. So much fancier.

View Quoted Comment Yes! We got married in Playa Del Carmen Mexico less than a month ago.

Plated. There are no cons. And in my opinion there are no pros to a buffet. I hate them.

Buffet's mean as a guest I have to get up and hold my plate like I'm in a cafeteria lunch line. No matter how many lines there is or how you call the table, there will be people who have finished eating before others have even gotten food. Also, buffet's are AWFUL for people with allergies because the line can be instantly contaminated.

View Quoted Comment

These are good points Valerie.

We are doing plated. I don't even think my venue offers the option of a buffet. It's too formal.

We're having a plated meal. I do not like buffets either. I'd much prefer to have my meal brought out to me instead of having to wait in line.


We're having passed apps, fruit & veggie and cheese station, 4 course meal, and dessert. Our venue serves big portions and offers to go boxes if anyone doesn't finish their food.

As long as you have some form of appetizers and a good, hearty meal, I don't think you'll have guests going to the nearest fast food restaurant when they leave lol.

Plated all the way! I hate being dressed all fancy and then waiting in line for food, takes away from the evening.
I am having played because my dad shakes really bad and I hate the way he feels when he has to carry his plate (yes we all hold it for him but he is such a man and hates having others do for him, so for me played is the only way to go)

Can you do stations instead of a traditional buffet? That way there are multiple areas to go to? That's what we are doing. We didn't like the idea of plated because it forced people to stay in one spot. I liked the idea of people mingling and talking to everyone as they got food, instead of talking to only the people sitting with them.

Does he think people will be hungry because the plated portion isn't enough? I'd ask to see a picture of a plated portion. We are doing a plated salad then buffet for dinner. I think if the caterer releases tables appropriately, there won't be a long line.

Do you not have a cocktail hour? That would help with people being hungry. We have a cocktail hour then a plated meal then cake/ice cream