Post # 1
Member
11325 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
So we had our tasting today at our venue and I was SUPER happy with how everything turned out. We didn’t try every single thing we’re having because we’re having a wide variety of things in two different buffets (asian and mexican), but all of the stuff we tried was great. Well… I called my mom on the way home to tell her how great it went and she started stressing (for the FIRST time) that there won’t be enough food because “at least with a plated dinner you know everyone gets what they’re supposed to.”
I just don’t really find this to be a valid concern because its not like buffets are unusual… and I just trust the venue to do what needs to be done. I mean if I can’t trust my vendors to do their jobs I’d drive myself crazy, right?
But then my Maid/Matron of Honor suggested that this actually happens. So I’m throwing it to the hive…
Have you been to a buffet where the food ran out???
Post # 3
Member
110 posts
Blushing bee
I wouldn’t worry too much, your caterers know what they are doing. You might run out of a few things once people head up for seconds but everyone will get a little of everything the first time around. Since you’re having two types of food I bet everyone will eat small portions from one line and go for seconds in the other line.
Post # 4
Member
169 posts
Blushing bee
I think running out of food happens when guests are allowed to serve themselves.
If your venue has servers at the buffet they will know the correct portion size to dish out so everyone has a chance to at least get one serving of everything they want.
Post # 5
Member
2465 posts
Buzzing bee
i don’t think i’ve ever seen a buffet run out of food. i DID see a plated dinner run out of side dishes once though. the dinner at that wedding was weeeeird….
Post # 6
Member
11325 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@nut9108: the guests will get to serve themselves because its stuff you kind of have to “build”… but honestly with as many options as we have i just don’t see how it would be possible to run out unless everyone just ate like 2 things and ignored the rest.
Here is our menu:
cocktail hr-
crudite and dip
cheese and crackers
fresh seasonal fruit (apples and pears bc its winter)
dried fruit and nuts
shrimp cocktail
Mexican buffet/station
Steak and chicken fajitas with onions and peppers, cheese and lettuce and sour cream
chicken enchiladas (omg soooo good)
cheese and onion enchiladas)
rice and beans
chips and 2 kinds of salsa and guac
Asian buffet/station
pork pot stickers
veggie spring rolls
chicken and veggie lettuce wraps
gen tsos chicken
veggie lo mein
Post # 7
Member
5921 posts
Bee Keeper
I used to work as an event manager for a conference center/hotel, and in the three years I was there, 90% of meals served were buffet style. We NEVER ran out of food. Mostly because staff is there to portion a little, and the kitchen staff typically prepares 5%-8% overage just in case.
Post # 8
Member
4137 posts
Honey bee
buffets always over-prepare the number they get…that’s why they’re not always cheaper than seated dinners! yes, there’s a tendency for your eyes to be bigger than your stomach at buffets, but your caterers know that and plan accordingly. don’t worry about this. sure, it’s possible, but it’s highly unlikely!
Post # 9
Member
1046 posts
Bumble bee
We ran out… but only because the people serving were taking huge plates to the “main house” to eat later. I was PISSED.
Post # 10
Member
11325 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@jamiemichelle: wait… the SERVERS were eating your buffet food that you were paying for???
Post # 11
Member
4480 posts
Honey bee
- Wedding: March 2010 - Calamigos Ranch
Will any of the catering staff be present? Even if people have to build their own, someone else’s eyes near their plate might keep people in check. I’d read reviews on your caterer and see if anyone’s ever complained of there being too little food before, just in case.
I’ve never been to a wedding where this happened, but it has happened at other somewhat formal events and it’s pretty disappointing.
Post # 12
Member
11325 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@spaniel: there will be an attendant at each of the two buffet stations to help restock and keep things clean in case of spills… so there will definitely be “eyes” on people. I have looked for reviews but there aren’t a whole lot out there bc our venue is pretty new 🙂
Post # 13
Member
3148 posts
Sugar bee
@CorgiTales: Our guests served themselves and we had a buffet. We had enough food left over that we used some for the gift opening the next day and frooze all the hot entree (chicken and salmon) and Darling Husband and I had dinner for a week or so….
I wouldnt worry about it…
Post # 14
Member
4123 posts
Honey bee
I’ve only been to one that ran out… and that’s a whole debacle…. because they ran out with 8 tables left. So, as long as the caterer is competent and the price isn’t “too good to be true” you’ll be fine. Almost every wedding I see these days is a buffet and we were eating frozen leftovers for a few weeks after our wedding 🙂
Post # 15
Member
3871 posts
Honey bee
As for my wedding, I have no idea. But I know my venue coordinator was on top of things. A bartender even came up to me and told me that my drink (not really signature drink, it was a drink that I wanted and after other people found out what I was drinking, they ended up getting it too. It was a pineapple mojito. ) Anyway, the bartender came up to me and told me that they saved me a glass because they didn’t want the bride not to have her drink before it ran out. How very nice of them!!! 🙂
But I did go to a wedding we were were the second to last table to be called and it was scarce. There was hardly food left. I think there was turkey or chicken and when we got there there was nothing at the carving station. But then we told someone and they brought out more. It did take a while for our table to be called so maybe people who were up earlier went up for seconds before we got there.
Post # 16
Member
141 posts
Blushing bee
Yes! I ended up getting a single roll*. I believe that the problem in that case was that it was self-serve. The other buffet weddings I went to had servers and plenty of food.
*It all worked out for me because they had plenty of pie, ice cream, and cake :).
