When to Release Guest for Buffet Line?

@kerri....I was OBSESSED with the idea of doing a popcorn bar this time last year! Then my mom changed my mind by telling me how easily popcorn falls to the floor without people realizing sand gets stepped on and carried all over the carpet, not looking so pretty. That kinda put me off on the idea. :-(

Can you get the majority of your pictures done before hand? We are doing the first look so the guests don't have to wait to eat. Lol i love me some food so I know I would be getting hungry waiting. I think if you are having apps during cocktail hour you will be fine.

If they eat prior to the bridal party, they will be nearly done by the time bridal party is eating. Then first dances and possible speeches and bridal party walking around ti say hi would mean they are full but have to wait and hang out before they can dance.

I had scheduled the buffet to start while we are taking our pictures. I also have our DOC making a plate for us to eat during our alone time. (I set aside 30 min of just us before our big entrance) We will make our entrance to the first dance, father/daughter, ect.... I am hoping that most will be able to be seated and eating by the time we get enter.

I am considering something similar because we can't afford a cocktail hour. My fiancé also doesn't want to do a first look. Will doing a plated dinner and taking pictures beforehand solve this? It's going to be a PITA to keep track of meals, but better that than people being hangry.

I highly recommend pictures before. Every wedding I've been to that does that runs more smoothly, especially if there isn't a cocktail hour. And the bride and groom are always happy they did it. If you open the food early, maybe make sure there's more of it for later because then people will be hungry by the end of the night. If you can, maybe just add a couple of heavier snacks to your cocktail hour.

Even with a buffet, you can have the salad and rolls pre plated at each place so people have something to eat.

I'd say start the buffet line immediately. Just because you do doesnt mean they'll be done eating by the time you guys enter. Also I know as a guest I'd appreciate it. As far as you not getting food your DOC or whoever you got in charge should make sure you get plates right after the first dance.

I am speaking with my DOC early next week - I will see if she has ideas on how to make it work. With the amount of guests we are having, it may take about an hour to get everyone through a buffet line anyway. The cocktail hours I have been to in the past have been pretty meager, and as a guest, I would appreciate getting to eat right away.

When will your bridal party eat?

We did the bridal party entrance, first dance, mother/son father/daughter (done together) and then H and I ate. Each table had a song in a frame and to help the line not get too long, my DJ would play a song (faded in and faded out) and that table would get up. It worked really well.

We had to pay extra for a plated salad and rolls, but it was worth it for two reasons. (1) people had something to eat right away and (2) the tables looked awesome when everyone entered the room from the cocktail hour.

Annakay - Great question. I am stuck on this as well. I may just end up doing a plated meal - it's actually cheaper at my venue.