Post # 1

Member
217 posts
Helper bee
Are buffet-style dinners more common in certain areas of the country? I live in the southeast, and i don’t remember ever having gone to a formal sit-down dinner–plenty of very nice, very elegant weddings, but none with waiters and the whole she-bang. When I mentioned to a friend what we were doing (also a buffet), she had never been to one–she’s from the mid-atlantic area. Same thing from a friend who lives in Portland.
So I started wondering if this was a regional thing. Let me know where you’re from and what’s "normal" or "popular" in your area.
Post # 3

Member
1091 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: August 2018 - Oakland Manor
I’ve been to buffets and sit downs, both in Maryland….That probably doesn’t help, but I think it justs comes down to personal choice. 🙂
Post # 4

Member
390 posts
Helper bee
I’m in the midwest (Missouri) and only been to buffet style dinners. They are very popular around here, especially in the less urban areas.
Post # 5

Member
49 posts
Newbee
I am from Louisiana, and I have seen both. Being served is great yet picking your own is also is wonderful bc you can fix what you know you will like.
Post # 6

Member
2641 posts
Sugar bee
I’m from…all over actually. (The east, midwest, and west.) I’ve been to both. Although I’ve never lived in the south. I think there might abe a regional thing. But I think if you’ve been to many family weddings, it be that one wedding inspires the next, and so on. But just a guess…
Post # 7

Member
948 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: May 2018 - Coyaba Resort, Montego Bay
I’m from the Midwest as well & have gone to both 🙂
Post # 8

Member
275 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: September 2009 - Harbison Chapel & The Maple Lane Farm
I am originally from PA, and I’ve been to quite a few weddings there in the past few years and there’s been both sit down and buffet style.
Post # 9

Member
332 posts
Helper bee
I’ve never thought of that before. I’m from the South, and I’ve only ever been to buffet-style weddings, and that’s what we’re having.
Post # 10

Member
2434 posts
Buzzing bee
I live in the Northeast and have been to several weddings that were buffets, family style sit down, and plated sit down dinners. All were lovely.
Post # 11

Member
7 posts
Newbee
In Wisconsin we have buffets or "family style." It’s not very typical to have a plated dinner in the rural areas. There is also a typical wedding meal: broasted chicken, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, rolls, green beens, and stuffing. Some polka music too and lots of beer. Also, it isn’t uncommon to have weddings with 400 guests or more. Very strange!
Post # 12

Member
39 posts
Newbee
I’m from Southeast Wisconsin (more urban than rural) and live in Chicago. I’ve been to both plated and buffet dinners in both areas.
Post # 13

Member
1022 posts
Bumble bee
I’ve been to probably 10 buffet style weddings and only 1 plated. Most of them were in Southern OR or CA. I think it mainly has to do with budget. Generally speaking, plated dinners end up costing more than buffets.
Post # 14

Member
198 posts
Blushing bee
I think it definitely is a regional thing that is more prominent in the south. I’m from California and have only been to sit-down dinner weddings. That’s also what I am having.
Post # 15

Member
2205 posts
Buzzing bee
I live in the midwest and have definitely been to a majority of weddings with plated dinners! I definitely think it’s more sommon in other areas to have buffet or just hors d’oeurves, etc