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Kristin
Beginner June 2021

Seated Dinner v. Buffet

Kristin, on May 26, 2019 at 12:16 PM Posted in Planning 0 19
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I know this topic comes up a lot, and we thought we were 100% on board for a seated dinner, but now that we’ve seen the price breakdown we are now reconsidering the buffet.

We view the seated as more formal, guests don’t have to wait in line, and there is something nice about having your food served and having 3-courses. However, we were told a seated dinner can take 1.5-2hrs (less party time and people stuck sitting!) and we are worried about the lack of variety (have to pick one salad as first course and everyone picks one entree, one dessert). Also, it’s about $2000 more than the buffet! I’m also worried about portion sizes (our caterer is Wolfgang Puck - so although fancy/pretty, hoping it will also be filling).

The buffet of course requires lines and carrying your own plate, but every wedding I’ve been to has been a buffet, and I didn’t mind that at all. We get to pick two salads, 4 sides and 3 entrees, plus 4 different desserts (way more variety). We were also assured by the caterer that they’ve never run out of food. Also as I mentioned, WAY cheaper.

Any advise, either from the view of being a guest, or how you decided for your big day would be much appreciated!

19 Comments

Latest activity by Kristin, on August 15, 2019 at 7:32 PM
  • Kelly
    Champion October 2018
    Kelly ·
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    I always prefer plated but for a less formal wedding buffet is fine! Our plated meal took 2 hours and we still had plenty of time for dancing.
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    For our small DW, we chose family-style because it fit our pirate reception theme best and we knew the food would stay warm for 15 guests (they broke each dish into three serving plates which helped). For our local reception, it was a formal 50's/60's theme so for dinner we opted for a plated meal.

    $2K is a big difference! As a guest I would worry about 1) food getting cold, 2) food running out, 3) waiting in line. If you have multiple serving stations offering the same options that would help with lines. A professional caterer should keep the food warm and filled, so you're ok there too. How formal is your event? If formal or black tie, a buffet would be out of place. If semi-formal to casual, then buffet is fine!

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  • Mrs. S
    Master November 2019
    Mrs. S ·
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    I prefer buffet. Im picky and I just want to get what I want in the amount that I want. and I’d rather hang out at my table chatting and then stand in line briefly than wait on waiters to serve all the other tables before mine which always happens.
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  • Kristin
    Beginner June 2021
    Kristin ·
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    First of all, those themes are amazing! Our wedding is being held at a Science Museum (couple of geeks!). The dinner is in the exhibit hall, so not black tie by any means, but a unique venue that could accommodate either seated or buffet! Most importantly it’s open bar, but with seated we get a wait staff that will serve drinks, with buffet the guests will also have to get up for drinks - something else to consider.

    Good point about making sure the food it hot! Maybe we can arrange at least two lines so people don’t have to wait as long - we are planning on about 100 guests so hopefully that cuts down on wait time!
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  • Kristin
    Beginner June 2021
    Kristin ·
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    Those are really good points, Peggy! Thank you!
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  • Kristin
    Beginner June 2021
    Kristin ·
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    Thanks, Kelly!
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  • D
    Super July 2020
    D ·
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    Buffet all the way. Up to 2 hours is a crazy amount of time. And so true about picky eaters or people that freak if two foods touch. Plated dinners are great, don't get me wrong. However buffet style is better this time.
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  • Kristin
    Beginner June 2021
    Kristin ·
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    Awesome, thank you! Definitely starting to lean that way!
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  • Kelly
    VIP October 2020
    Kelly ·
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    Buffet is better to me for picky eaters, everyone can garnish their meal as they want, it's faster.
    As long as it's good and hot I don't think guests care if it's plated or not
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  • Yasmine
    Dedicated November 2019
    Yasmine ·
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    I always wanted plated because our wedding is pretty elegant but after breaking down the prices we went with buffet. I've truly never cared or judged a couple for having a buffet and I doubt that anyone else does.
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  • Cher Horowitz
    Master December 2019
    Cher Horowitz ·
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    I wouldn't mind a buffet as long as I wasn't waiting in line too long Smiley smile

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  • Rayna
    Devoted July 2019
    Rayna ·
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    I had this same dilemma. My fiancé wanted buffet but I’ve always preferred plated because they feel more formal. I couldn’t get over the price difference though. We ended up with a happy medium of plated salad course and buffet for the main course. This way everyone has something to munch on while they wait for their table to be called to the buffet.
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  • Kristin
    Beginner June 2021
    Kristin ·
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    That’s a great idea! Thanks, Rae!
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    (A science museum is a cool venue!!!!) It seems either would work for your venue & formality. Ask your caterer how many stations they suggest for 100 guests: at least two I would think.

    I think buffet would be fun because it gets guests up going to different areas in the museum area. The bar will help too. Buffet (for at least dessert & the bar) can help guests mingle & create a lively vibe (whether or not you have dancing). A buffet feels fun for this reception venue. Plus, you could save $2K! If buffet is more common among your guests I think it sounds great for this wedding. 😊
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  • Celeste
    Dedicated October 2019
    Celeste ·
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    Although plated does feel more formal, I honestly think that 9 out of 10 times, you have a better food experience with buffet. With plated, guests choose an entree and that's it - buffet gives so much more choice. People eating healthy can load up on salad, meat eaters take extra meat - it's so much more customizable. Plus, you should still be able to have servers pouring wine at the tables - I've always seen wine service even with a buffet. Throw the money savings in on top of it - winner winner!

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  • Maria
    Savvy September 2019
    Maria ·
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    We decided to have a caterer..it was so much cheaper , we did not like the food choices our venue was offering 25 a plate seemed ridiculous for so little. So we are doing a bbq catering..which was 13.99 person ..with 2 meat choices , and 2 sides, plus a salad and included drinks..our venue wedding planner will dismiss tables one by one sp no one is really have to stand on line..plus our caterer is serving unlimited for 2 hours..I found them at a wedding event and tasted there food and it was super good..I do not think a buffet is a bad idea its alot cheaper..
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  • Erika
    Savvy June 2020
    Erika ·
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    I am meeting with our caterer tomorrow and am on the fence about buffet over plated. It is cheaper but we are pushing the people limit at our venue and I dont want to make it feel even more crowded. Our venue is a reception hall attached to a manor house and we have the whole property. Would it be weird to have the buffet line in the manor house? That way it saves more space in the reception area?

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  • Sinéad
    WeddingWire Administrator January 2025
    Sinéad ·
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    Hey Kristin! Have you made a decision about your wedding meal yet?

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  • Kristin
    Beginner June 2021
    Kristin ·
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    We finally decided on the buffet! I got so much good feedback here that I didn't have as many concerns as I thought I did - actually most people said it was better for picky eaters/variety, and we agree! It also saved us so much money (almost 3K because the service/wait staff charge was also lower). We also realized all our guests are young, so the need to sit was not as important. These are just a few factors that tipped us in the buffet direction!

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