When booking your reception venue there are A LOT of things to consider! From site fees to minimum guarantees (ooh that rhymes!) there are many factors to think about when selecting your wedding venue but today we are going to focus on one of our favorite factors, the food! Not necessarily the items on the menu but the type of meal service for your wedding. Most venues offer two options: a plated meal or a buffet.
Though price may be a factor if your venue offers both options for a price that fits in your budget and you’re not quite sure which one to go with, check out some of the pros and cons for each type of meal service to see which one would be best for your event!
Plated Meal
Typically a three course meal (salad, entree, dessert) plated meals are served to each guest. The couple would have the ability to select which entree choice they would like for their guests and plus ones to enjoy at their wedding.
Pros
With a plated meal the entree size is controlled, typically allowing for “fancier” foods to be served such as filet mignon or lobster as the quantity and portions are determined prior to the wedding.
Typically arranged and styled in a high-class fashion, the food served with a plated meal can be viewed as more appealing.
No standing or waiting is necessary! Guests do not have to wait in line, as everyone is served each course at the same time.
Cons
It takes additional coordination. The couple will have to know which entree each guest would like to have in advance and create some kind of escort card or place card to communicate this to the banquet staff. If your guest list changes or unexpected guests arrive you may have to deal with these last minute changes on your wedding day.
Guests won’t be able to get seconds. They also will not be able to choose exactly what they would like to eat, though they have a choice for their entree, they will not be able to select the entree sides or the items in the other courses of their meal.
As the meals are served in courses, guests may want to avoid doing other activities during the dinner service such as taking photos at the photo booth or games that require them to not be at their table as they may miss out on one of the courses.
Buffet
Guests stand in line and serve themselves their meal. The couple will select the items that will be served in the buffet.
Pros
A buffet allows your guests to help themselves to multiple servings of food and be adventerous in trying items they otherwise would not.
This option could be great for guests with many allergies or food restrictions as buffets offer a wide variety of selections that they will be able to pick and choose all of the items that they’d like to eat.
As buffets offer a flexibility of the quantity of food, couples don’t have to worry if a small number of unexpected guests arrive or if changes to their guest list occur.
Cons
They’re often seen to be a more casual and inexpensive style of dining for a wedding.
Guests have to wait in line, and will be excused at different times which may be a little inconvenient for some guests.
No matter the choice you select, we're sure your guests will leave your wedding with their hearts full of love and bellies full of food! How that food is served to them is up to you but we hope this blog helped you to consider the pros and cons of a plated meal vs. a buffet!
XOXOXO
(A Perfect Day)