Buffet Serving for Your Wedding
When planning a wedding, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is selecting a caterer and style of dinner service. Dinner can be the most memorable part of the evening for guests, so you want to make sure it’s a good one. Along with the type of food you serve, the type of dinner service also reflects the atmosphere of the reception and can affect the flow of the reception.
There are three main types of dinner service styles that most caterers offer – plated, buffet, and family style. There are pros and cons for each type of service, so you want to weigh those against your vision for your reception: budget, formality, food options, and the length of dinner are all things to consider. Let’s discuss a buffet dinner style in this post.
A buffet dinner is a more casual and informal dinner style. Guests are able to serve themselves from a variety of dishes. This style is often chosen for the relaxed atmosphere and wider selection of foods.
Pros
Variety of Options: Buffets usually offer more variety of dishes than plated or family style. This often accommodations more tastes and dietary needs as guests control what they eat. Buffets also allow for guests to get a second helping after everyone has been served.
Cost-Effective: Buffets are often more budget-friendly than plated or family style dinners. They require less staff and less food preparation expenses. A buffet can also be faster to clean up so serving staff doesn’t need to be on-site as long (depending on your venue).
Efficient Service: A buffet dinner can be a more efficient use of time as it does not require each meal to be individually plated and served; guests are able to eat at their own pace. This can leave more time for dancing and other activities.
Cons
Less Formal: Buffets do not offer the same formal feel of a plated dinner, so this might not match the vision for the wedding. Guests might also not appreciate having to serve themselves.
Food Portions: It is harder to control portion sizes with a buffet. This can lead to more food waste if people take more than they can eat. It can also lead to running out of food if people take too much.
Lines and Wait Times: There can be lines and significant wait times with a buffet dinner depending on the guest count. This can slow down dinner service and cause discomfort for guests.
Considerations
Price: Buffet dinners are usually more affordable than plated dinners; they also offer more food choices and quantities for guests but are less formal.
Length of Time: If run properly, buffets can be efficient; however, they also have the potential for lines and long waits for food.
Serving Sizes: Guests control their own portions which can be beneficial for those with bigger appetites, but it can also lead to more food waste or running out of food.
Buffet Dinners:
Informal and relaxed
Budget friendly
More variety of foods
No portion control so more food waste
Choosing the style for dinner at your wedding reception depends on many factors like the atmosphere you want to set, the options you want to provide for your guests, your timeline, but most importantly, your budget. Ultimately, the best choice for the dinner style for your reception is the one that fits your budget and offers food that you love. Hopefully this also matches the ambiance you want for your reception as well as providing a great dining experience for your guests.
Many caterers offer more than one service type, so if you love the food, see which service type fits your budget!
The Homestead 1854 is a family owned and operated intimate wedding and event venue in Plano, IL. If you’re looking for a unique and historic wedding venue in Illinois, you’ve found it. Contact us here to learn more about what we offer and how to start planning the intimate wedding of your dreams.
