Buffet or Sit down at a wedding

[indimom]

Most are buffet around here. Plated is becoming more common. I've never been to a family-style wedding.
As far as buffets go, I've never been to a large wedding with only one buffet line, most had 2-4 lines so it moves quickly. I've never had a long wait for food.
I'm not particular about the type, but if I was getting married again I'd probably stick with buffet since I prefer the ability to choose what goes on my plate.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I had sit-down, because it was important to me at the time, but I've had fun at both types.

 

[Hikergirl]

As long as there is open bar I don't really care

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

As long as there is open bar I don't really care

Amen sister.

 

[Mizzoufan]

buffet

 

[MIGrandma]

I have never been to a reception where the food has been plated and served at the table. We were invited to a few but declined to go. I think I still would prefer buffet, so there are more choices and you can take the amount you want.

 

[goofyernmost]

I have two daughters. When the first one got married she wanted a buffet style. The second wanted a sit down. Both were good, but, I have to say that even though the choices were fewer, the quality of the sit down was much higher. Either one works, but, a buffet is cheaper and far less impressive quality wise.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Here in Kentucky, all the weddings I've ever been to have been buffet style.

 

[Hikergirl]

I have two daughters. When the first one got married she wanted a buffet style. The second wanted a sit down. Both were good, but, I have to say that even though the choices were fewer, the quality of the sit down was much higher. Either one works, but, a buffet is cheaper and far less impressive quality wise.

I think the quality really depends on where the reception is and who is doing the catering.
Buffet isn't really the norm here, but I have been to a few. One was amazing, even had a couple carving stations. It was also more expensive than the sit down option but my friend really wanted some of the choices on the buffet and they were not an option for a sit down meal.
I've been to way more sit down dinners than buffets, and some have been so bad that 3/4 of the dinner was left uneaten.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I prefer sit down but since I'm not paying I'll take what is offered. I'm in NJ and plated sit down dinners for weddings are around $150+++. Since my friends and family aren't rich, and most weddings I go to have at least 150+ people, I've been to mostly buffet weddings.

One thing I've never been to is a punch and cake wedding. I've only ever heard that on the internet. Every wedding, or party for that matter, that I've ever been to includes a meal. Kids birthday party, family get together, baby shower, bridal shower, etc. There is always a meal. It could be pizza or a full out spread but there is always a meal.

 

[mjkacmom]

And a full plated dinner? Yum!! Sounds like my kind of party!

Plus passed hors d oeuvres, tons of food. We ended up having a cocktail reception, without a sit down, because I’m always too full to eat any plated dinner (plus we wanted to dance and party instead of sit). Food was flowing the whole time.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

As long as there is open bar I don't really care

It's more important than the food. lol

 

[goofyernmost]

I think the quality really depends on where the reception is and who is doing the catering.
Buffet isn't really the norm here, but I have been to a few. One was amazing, even had a couple carving stations. It was also more expensive than the sit down option but my friend really wanted some of the choices on the buffet and they were not an option for a sit down meal.
I've been to way more sit down dinners than buffets, and some have been so bad that 3/4 of the dinner was left uneaten.

Yes, I agree that a lot of it is luck of the draw. I was relating my experience as being the payer in the situation.

 

[ronandannette]

...One thing I've never been to is a punch and cake wedding. I've only ever heard that on the internet. Every wedding, or party for that matter, that I've ever been to includes a meal. Kids birthday party, family get together, baby shower, bridal shower, etc. There is always a meal. It could be pizza or a full out spread but there is always a meal.

It’s very common in the church I go to for an open invitation to go out to the entire congregation for the wedding ceremony and a punch and cake reception. The family will usually host a full banquet and dance afterwards for a smaller guest list. When (and if, Lord willing ) our own DS marries, I imagine we will do the same, unless the bride’s side has other ideas.

It's more important than the food. lol

You may be shocked to hear tons of weddings in our circles don’t have liquor at all, let alone an open bar! Yet the guests still come willingly and even bring gifts! Our DD’s wedding this past October had an open bar and honestly, it was the first one like it I’ve attended in quite a while.

 

[Hikergirl]

Yes, I agree that a lot of it is luck of the draw. I was relating my experience as being the payer in the situation.

Oh yes it definitely depends and I know that sit down dinners can be extremely expensive! That is why I'm hoping my dd decides to elope LOL

 

[DisneyHardin]

One thing I've never been to is a punch and cake wedding. I've only ever heard that on the internet. Every wedding, or party for that matter, that I've ever been to includes a meal. Kids birthday party, family get together, baby shower, bridal shower, etc. There is always a meal. It could be pizza or a full out spread but there is always a meal.

I've only ever been to one cake and punch in the church basement type reception and it was when the youth minister at my church got married and the wedding was huge. Since she had been the youth minister at a couple churches, there were just TONS of people who wanted to come to her wedding and financially they couldn't invite all those people and do more than just a cake and punch reception.

 

[LSUmiss]

Picture this: Cocktail hour ends and 150 or so guests find their assigned seats. Bride and Groom enter and they along with the bridal party and parents are introduced by the MC. They then proceed to the buffet. When they return to their table and begin to eat, the rest of the tables are called up into line in some order, with no one proceeding until their table number has been called. By the time the final table has served themselves, many of the other guests and for sure the bridal party has already finished eating. The "program" will have started when the head table was done and the speeches and toasts and video tributes and whatnot will proceed for a while. (Everyone stays seated for this part.) After the last diners are done and the food has been put away the bar (if there is one) will open again and the bridal couple will cut the cake and then mingle amongst the tables. The dance (if there is one) will begin. It can be 10:00 pm by this point. Another buffet (locally referred to as Midnight Lunch) may be served if the party is intended to continue but for that one people can serve themselves as they please.

Oh wow! How boring! There is no order to the buffet. You get there find a table. Usually no assigned seats other than bride family & groom family & bridal party tables. They play light music & walk around with hors d’oeuvres. When the bride & groom come in, they open the buffet & bar to everyone at the same time. Once the bride & groom eat, they have their dances & then the dance floor is open to everyone. Buffet remains open til cake & bar & dance floor rest of night. Most ppl eat at first & then it’s just dancing and/or drinking the rest of the time.

 

[nkereina]

Its common to do either here in upstate NY. I prefer buffet so I can take more of what I like and skip what I don't. The last wedding we attended the dinner was served to us with no choices in advance. They gave us a piece of steak, a piece of chicken, potatoes, and veggies. I'm not a big red meat eater so I skipped the steak and only had the small piece of chicken, so I wasn't completely satisfied. If a meal is sit down, I'd at least prefer the card with options to select in advance when you send back. the RSVP.

 

[shoney]

Its common to do either here in upstate NY. I prefer buffet so I can take more of what I like and skip what I don't. The last wedding we attended the dinner was served to us with no choices in advance. They gave us a piece of steak, a piece of chicken, potatoes, and veggies. I'm not a big red meat eater so I skipped the steak and only had the small piece of chicken, so I wasn't completely satisfied. If a meal is sit down, I'd at least prefer the card with options to select in advance when you send back. the RSVP.

Around here
It is customary to provide choices. Usually beef chicken and seafood. The server gives you the options. It isn’t picked in advance.

 

[Micca]

This thread has me thinking two things 1) I'm hungry, 2) I hope I'm done going to weddings.