When to Release Guest for Buffet Line?

I would guess at least an hour...and even then, you will probably need a bit more time if you want the guests to be finished eating before the bridal party's entrance.

But when are THEY going to eat?

Are you having a cocktail hour? That usually fixes the waiting-for-dinner problem.

Maltese-See-I was thinking of letting the guest get their food, Bridal party enters and then is served, then we walk to each table and say hi, then first dance, then everyone starts dancing.

I dont want to be removed from the reception and during dancing to have more photos done.

Erica-Yes but very basic fruits, veggies, and cheese

My FH is thinking the same thing, he wants the buffet to be open immediately. But I think it's important that the bride and groom be served first, otherwise you may not get a chance to eat. That way you can eat while everyone else is still fixing their plates, and you'll have time to do table visits after you eat. There are other ways to keep guests happy while you're taking pictures...take more pictures before the ceremony, consider doing a first look so you can even take most of your pics before hand. Have drinks and appetizers available before the buffet opens.

I release you

Honesty, I get idea, but Sara is right....if the bride and groom don't eat first, there's a good chance they wont get another to eat. If you're worried about the appetizers you have currently not being enough, maybe add a couple more. Also, these are grown adults who have, more than likely, been to a wedding or two before and should be able to guess what time dinner will be served...if they think its a bit later than usual, then they should eat something light beforehand.

Can you have rolls and salad already at the tables so people can have their "first course" while the first dance and speeches are going on?

^^^^^^^^^

Great idea! I love going to weddings where that happens!

You could have avoided this by doing plated.

She could have...but plated is not always an option for everyone. Besides....there is nothing wrong with a buffet meal, and I don't think it really deserves snark here.

You won't get to eat if you don't force them to wait, honestly. Also Maltese is right, they know how this works. I anticipate just being a little hungry for half an hour waiting for the B and G to enter. If that's not the case, happy surprise for me.

Idk about a lot of venues, but plated was about 12 bucks more per person. No bueno.

@Snarky, I actually don't like plated because guests only get a limited amount of food. Typically guests can have seconds with buffet or family style.

@Nicole, same with some we went to. I've went to a couple that couldn't do plated for more than a certain amount of people because they didn't have the prep space for all those plates. Working a kitchen trying to put out 150 (or even 20!) plates for an event like a wedding is insane! Not only do they have to get out fast and hot...but the plate has to look PERFECT. It may sound easy to do, but its really not

Wait, are you not doing appetizers before dinner?

I don't like having to pick my meal months in advance anyway. If I'm craving steak now, I might want chicken in July..

We were trying to work through this same question for our meal. Granted we have a long ways to go before we have to have our answer. But I stole a pop corn bar idea from another WW Bride. We are going to have fruit and veggies and cheese and crackers as well but we just thought the popcorn bar would be fun for them to enjoy while we are doing photos. We also decided to do pitchers of water and tea at every table with glasses so people can be seated instead of waiting in lines for beverages. We are going to have an open bar and other beverages but with it being June it will probably be hot and people will want to relax and have a drink without waiting forever.

We are doing for 350 and plated was not an option for us.

@Snarky - you are on a ROLL today. I live for your posts :-)

I know this might not work for everyone but we are actually doing all of our pictures before the ceremony. We had similar concerns with the timing for the buffet (plus the travel time between the wedding and reception venue). We felt that things will flow better this way. It is something to consider. However, if this doesn't work for you, I like the idea of guests starting with salads or rolls.