Speeches timing

The last wedding I went to with a buffet, the speeches were done after everyone had gone through the buffet line. So, Option 2. This will also give your guests time to get drinks if you're doing a "toast in hand" instead of a champagne or other selected drink toast.

I think your guests will finish their salad before they get to the buffet whether you do speeches during that time or not, so I wouldn't worry about that too much. I personally am a fast eater, so I normally have to wait.

We are doing the toasts right before dinner. Everyone will have had a chance to get their drinks while waiting for us to arrive. Once the DJ announces us and has everyone seated, we are going to do the toasts and then dinner.

Another vote for after everyone is settled with their food. Nothing worse than waiting to eat after a long day.

We plan to do all toasts and speeches right after we are introduced to the reception. Everyone will have just been at the cocktail hour and eaten appetizers, and the bar will be open. I'm not worried about people going hungry after they just ate.

Just a side note: my photographer made the suggestion that we try to "block" things together, such as entrance to reception, first dance, then toasts, or toasts, cake-cutting, then parent dances. It's easier on the photographer and seems less choppy to guests. Something to consider.

The standard protocol at formal dinners is that the host welcomes the guests and optionally offers a toast to the guests of honour at the very beginning of the dinner. This would also be an appropriate time to explain the arrangements for the buffet, and in what order the tables are to go up for their food. Any additional toasts are made at the beginning of, and during, the dessert course.

We did our speeches after our grand entrance/1st dance before food was served so we had everyone's undivided attention and it worked perfectly. They weren't too long and we had everyone there to hear it.

I've usually seen speeches done once everyone has their dinner, but 15 minutes is a pretty long time for speeches.

We're planning on doing ours near the end of dinner. That way we can go from speeches to dances to cake.