Table Setting.. Help!

I went to a wedding where they had the plates set out already and guests had to carry them to the buffet. There was no announcement of this or anything and even though you'd think it was common sense, many guests actually forgot and so they had extra plates at the buffet for those guests so they didn't have to go to their tables.

We had a buffet and our table was very full without the plates. After the centerpieces, the napkins, the silverware, and the water goblets the plates just weren't needed. In order not to confuse people we just left the plates at the buffet so guests didn't have to carry them up. I think the plates in our case would have made the tables too cluttered, especially after everyone had their drinks and appetizer plates.

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much! i just love the look of the plates already set out, but didn’t think much about it being too full after centerpieces, place cards, lights etc.

Can you just set out chargers and leave the actual plates at the buffet?

View Quoted Comment Yes i suppose i could. just wasn’t what i was originally thinking. but i think that could work

I agree with Kelly, I would just do chargers and then have the plates available at the buffet!

I would put plates at the buffet line, rather than the table.

View Quoted Comment They aren’t necessary at all but if you really like the look of some sort of plates on the table I would do that instead.

View Quoted Comment

This was going to be my suggestion as well. It would give you the "look" you're after. Of course, that's assuming you're going with the charger idea. Otherwise, I would just say set out everything except the plates unless you have some kind of note/sign/announcement that your guests should bring their plates with them.

I'm planning on setting places but offering a buffet as well. My matron of honor did the same thing at her wedding and it worked perfectly

My caterer told me usually people have the plates on the table and carry them. It’s nbd.

I would not do the plates or chargers (the latter if you don't want to spend extra) at the table, and just have the cutlery out and a nicely folded napkin where the plate would be. Plates can be picked up by the buffet. That way people don't need to remember anything and the table still looks nice.

We had chargers at the tables and plates at the buffet.

We had a buffet style sit down to we had chargers on the tables and at the buffet area where the original plates and the guest just took the plate and placed it on top of their charger.