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My FI and I can't seem to agree of having a buffet or a sit down meal. So just out of curiosity I added a poll to see what people would rather.
I know sit down dinners are "formal" and "fancy,' but I like the buffets cost less plus as a guest, I can pick what I like, I don't have to feel bad about not eating half my plate when it has asparagus and other things I don't like, plus I can go back for seconds on the stuff I do like! I can try new things and not feel if I don't like it, I'm stuck! Plus I like that you can talk to other guests while you're in line, otherwise you're sort of limited to your table and just waiting for others to get their plates!
I voted sit-down meal. If price isn't a issue it's just nice for guests to be served. I don't like trying to carry my plate when I have a nice outfit on, and it's nice to not have to stand in a line.
I prefer sit down, I've not had great experiences with buffets at weddings (lines too long, food is cold, not enough food, etc). For those reasons I like the sit down, but that's me (and at my venue the buffet is the same cost per person as the chicken so not much thought went into it for me.
We're having a buffet because we're trying to have an eco-conscious wedding, and our caterer said that buffets typically result in a LOT less waste, from his experience. Additionally, we can take home whatever food is uneaten at the end of the night. From a guest's point of view, I prefer a buffet because then I choose only what I want to eat.
i also like buffets you can choose what u like and there is always more options
I chose buffet because that's what both FI and I wanted and our families felt that was the best way to go about it as well. It would give everyone a chance to mingle as well. We don't care about all fancy schmancy stuff. It's not about the food and how fancy it is. It's about celebrating a new beginning for the couple. =)
I actually prefer Buffets. For the same reasons as PP's and that fact that buffets just seem less stuffy. I get bored sitting down and being served keeps you in your seat longer.
I prefer sit-downs as the food is usually better and it feels more like an occasion. Buffets always seem so 'cheap' somehow (eventhough it isn't always so)
I had a formal, evening wedding, and I opted for a plated dinner instead of a buffet. As a guest at a wedding, I would prefer a sit-down, plated meal. Like pps noted, I prefer not to have to stand in line at a buffet and carry my food back to the table when I'm wearing a beautiful outfit.
On the other hand, at other types of functions, I tend to prefer buffets, because I like having the option of many different foods from which to choose.
Are sit down meals usually more expensive then the buffet? In our case The buffet is another 5 dollars a person. Thanks everyone for the feedback!!
We are going with a buffet because 1) we really want to push that our wedding is more fun than formal 2) just thinking about the amount of wasted food with a plated dinner makes me sick! We are planning on saving whatever is left over (but seeing as how it is a really delicious upscale restaurant doing the catering I don't see any leftovers!) and finally 3) we live in the south so our friends are fans of meat and fried food, and a lot of my family is more health concious and with a buffet everyone can have multiple choices.
having worked many weddings (sit down and buffet).....sit down all the way! I think it's weird to see someone with a gown on plopping food on a plate.
I like sit-down better... no lines, no risk of running out of something, no cold food. Our venue was actually cheaper if we did the sit-down (I guess people pile up their plates on the buffet and they have to make more food overall), so it was a no-brainer!
We're doing buffet, we have some guests that have special diatary restrictions and this way they can pick and choose what goes on their plate. Plus, it gives people an excuse to get out of their chairs and mingle.
I hate plated dinners because, even though I always indicate that I need the vegetarion option, I ALWAYS get served a big plate of meat that just goes to waste.
Were having a mixture; we're having our starter and dessert served to the table, as we wanted it to be fairly formal, and to have structure; we're having our main as a buffet though. so that people have plenty of options and can choose what they fancy on the day.
I'm a fan of the sit-down meal. I don't think I have been to a wedding (except 1 that I can think of) that didn't have a sit down meal. I don't want to wait in line and eat potentially cold food!
we are doing a seated dinner. we like the idea of having everyone sit down and eat at the same time. not having half of the room done while the other is just starting to eat
It depends on the venue. For our wedding, buffet was actually MORE expensive than sit-down. Plus I was annoyed that they throw out the extra food from the buffet (according to WI state law, we couldn't take it home with us). It just bothers me on principle to be wasteful.
My cousin got a buffet dinner for a steal though, so if the cost is low enough, it could be worth it.
One thing to consider with a buffet is how to address the needs of guests with food allergies and sensitivites. It can be hard to avoid contamination (e.g., tongs for bread get used for veggies and now your gluten intolerant cousin has a night of diarrhea).
I think it depends on how formal the event is.
For the people voting sit down dinner because of cold food at the buffet... the last 2 weddings I was at where they had a sit down meal, the food we were served was cold, and we weren't even the last to be served. Buffets usually have those warmers to keep the food hot.
I voted sit down. While we are having a more formal dinner I have had sit even if we weren't. My main reasons are:
-I like the idea of everyone ring at their tables together and being served so everyone is eating at the same time
-i did not want to make guests send time waiting in lines where they could be enjoying their dinner table, having stinks, etc.
-how if is your wedding? I went to oblew edding where they had a Buffett and there were about 220 people there, about 10:00 there were still people who were waiting to get their food....they were not happy
We're having a sit down dinner because it is cheaper than buffet at our venue. They said they charge more for buffet because there is more waste. Also were planning on 150 people and we don't want everyone to have to wait in line for food. I think for smaller casual weddings buffet might make more sense, but it would not work for us.
I prefer buffet. I can get what I want and not get what I don't want. I count calories like a maniac avoiding starches and loading up on veggies. DH is a picky eater. He doesn't like most sauces or anything unusual. He sometimes avoids meat. Buffets are perfect for people like us. Also great for vegans, vegetarians, people with special diets etc.
I voted buffet. I'm an adult and I don't want 'the man' telling me how much of something I can have for dinner. I would rather pick what I want to eat and go back for seconds if I want to. As far as carrying my plate to my table, that doesn't bother me. If I get to eat what I want, I'm happy to wait in line and carry my plate.
Definitely sit-down dinner. I don't like waiting in lines! And I'm always nervous having to carry a plate of food around in a crowded area, while wearing a dress and heels, after I've maybe had a couple cocktails or glasses of wine ;)
We are having a buffet. I personally think that buffet food is more tasty, I have always enjoyed going to weddings that have buffet meals, this way people can get more if they like.
We're doing a buffet for our guests b/c there's 400+ coming and it was cheaper. We are storing the leftover food overnight at our venue then donating it to a homeless shelter the next day. I definitely like the variety of food at buffets, plus you're able to go back for seconds, and you can go back and eat the foods you especially enjoy (instead of just throwing away the sit down plate of food you don't like). I also like being able to eat when I want, instead of having to sit down when dinner is served (I feel like i'm always at the bar at weddings and my plate usually is cold or gone when i get back to my seat).
I do think that sit down dinners are definitely more formal but it really is about what you prefer.
The coordinator for our upscale venue (also the catering director) insisted that buffets are reminiscent of troughs for animals, and that she couldn't imagine that's the mood that we wanted to create. I was REALLY put out (I wanted buffet stations) that she would be so blunt with my obvious preference. In the end, she said she would grudgingly do stations. We thought long and hard and decided that a classy venue deserved a classy meal. We're doing a buffett for our rehearsal dinner.
I like buffets. MThe best wedding I ever attended had a buffets with stations. I love pasta and they had a fettucini alfredo station! Mmmmmm.
The only thing that worries me with buffets is older guests who may have trouble walking while holding a place. I don't have many in my family that fit this description, but FH's family has a ton of ROR (really old relatives).
As a guest I prefer buffets. I feel buffets are far less stuffy but can still very formal and elegant(if that is the type of wedding you are going for) plus I have NEVER liked a meal at a sit down wedding and to me that says a lot because I am not a picky person.
Buffets, if coordinated correctly, can actually be just as fast as any sit down dinner. The last wedding I went to had a couple of main courses, sides, veggies, fruits and desserts. There were about 4-5 buffet tables with these items on them and it allowed the guests to pick the closest table and go to either side of the table to get food.
Buffets are actually more expensive at our venue, because they have to have enough of each choice for everyone (which also results in a lot of wasted food). With sit down dinners, the meal is pre-selected on the RSVP card - so its more made-to-order.
Our caterer hates buffets (and they are more expensive than sit down, so its not them trying to make cash).
I also think the sit-down dinner lends a bit more elegance to an event.
What "type" of wedding are you having?
@Overjoyed060113: I agree that the stations do work better than the traditional "buffet line" where you have 500 people crowding around 2 tables.
I went to a wedding once where the buffet was downstairs in a very large building - so we had to literally walk down two very big flights of stairs to get the food... and carry it all back up. It SUCKED. By the time I got back to my seat, I was happy I hadn't fallen in my 5 inch heels... and my food was COLD. I hated that food.
I like the "class" of a sit-down dinner, and the idea of everyone eating at once and not having to carry plates around... But that's all on paper!
I am such a picky eater and weird vegetarian. I only eat ground chicken and turkey, so I fill my plate with a variety of sides and salads at buffets. I think it's better to give guests a choice of what and how much they eat (as long as you have a good variety and selection of food).
Wow, the voting is really close! I tend to prefer a plated dinner, while FI prefers a buffet. The buffet was cheaper at our venue so that's what we're doing.
One more for sit down dinner option. I just think its more relaxing for me and my guests.
Although I enjoy the sit-down dinners and the fact that I, as a guest, don't have to worry about serving myself, I think I actually prefer buffets. When I really think about it, I enjoy more casual/laid back weddings, and sit-down dinners tend to seem more formal to me (which is fine, just not my first choice). I also love that buffets tend to offer a lot more options. I feel like I get more food, and if I don't like anything, I just don't have to get it and no one will ever know. :)
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