Buffet style reception???

[Mydisneywedding]

I am really struggling on this..

My family thinks I should have a dinner at Citricos but once it's all said and done it will cost me about $4500 for dinner and drinks for 25 people.

I was thinking a buffet would cost less and perhaps be nicer since I could get one of the small rooms at GF. Plus we could have more choices for our guest..

I need help... if you had a buffet dinner could you post pictures of the set-up so I may show my family that it's OKAY to have a buffet style party.

Also menu options?

What did you do for drinks?

Please help, I need to make a decision soon since the 8 month mark is coming

 

[pezaddict231]

If you are doing a ballroom location you don't have to do a buffet, you can also have a plated dinner which might be similar to what you wanted from Citricos.

 

[Stephie77]

I also struggled with that decision. DH wanted the buffet, i wanted a plated meal. He won out for the same reason you thought, more choices for our guests. I am glad we did it. Disney does a beautiful buffet. We had our reception at the white hall room and patio for 40 guests and it was perfect. I should be getting my pics back in about 2-3 weeks (i just got married on 1/3/10 and will post pics of the buffet since I asked my photographer to take pics. I DEF recommend it.

We had a seafood station, grilled chicken pasta, salad station with all the dressings and toppings. potatoe and rosotto station that were in martini glasses, Herb crusted prime rib, garlic mashed and finger potatoes, chicken parm, pasta with marinara, vegetables. We also had an open bar since our families and friends are drinkers. The bar bill came to about $1500 for 5 1/2 hours (which we budgeted much higher) and trust me the boys were doing ALOT of shots. Hope this helps!

 

[JenandJosh2009]

I totally agree with Stephie77. We had a buffet at the GF and they did a phenomenal job. Everyone told us the food was delicious and nobody left hungry (which our main goal was to make sure everyone was full). Unfortunately I don't have my pics yet from our wedding but my mom said she could not believe how beautiful the set up was. Disney does a wonderful job with decorations, it looks elegant not tacky. Plus, I really think you get more for your money too.

 

[Mydisneywedding]

I also struggled with that decision. DH wanted the buffet, i wanted a plated meal. He won out for the same reason you thought, more choices for our guests. I am glad we did it. Disney does a beautiful buffet. We had our reception at the white hall room and patio for 40 guests and it was perfect. I should be getting my pics back in about 2-3 weeks (i just got married on 1/3/10 and will post pics of the buffet since I asked my photographer to take pics. I DEF recommend it.

We had a seafood station, grilled chicken pasta, salad station with all the dressings and toppings. potatoe and rosotto station that were in martini glasses, Herb crusted prime rib, garlic mashed and finger potatoes, chicken parm, pasta with marinara, vegetables. We also had an open bar since our families and friends are drinkers. The bar bill came to about $1500 for 5 1/2 hours (which we budgeted much higher) and trust me the boys were doing ALOT of shots. Hope this helps!

Thanks for the info, I look forward in seeing your pictures, I just read your journal and loved it.

I was happy to see you are from NY, I'm from NJ... I get excited seeing other Northeastern Disney Brides, it helps me show my family and friends that a Disney wedding is not a Southern thing... as they would call it!!

Thanks again for your post...

 

[Mydisneywedding]

I totally agree with Stephie77. We had a buffet at the GF and they did a phenomenal job. Everyone told us the food was delicious and nobody left hungry (which our main goal was to make sure everyone was full). Unfortunately I don't have my pics yet from our wedding but my mom said she could not believe how beautiful the set up was. Disney does a wonderful job with decorations, it looks elegant not tacky. Plus, I really think you get more for your money too.

Thanks Jen!!! I think the buffet is the way to go!

 

[daveyc150]

We did a buffet at the boardwalk and it was beautifully presented by Disney, we loved it. It gave everyone the choice of what they wanted to eat and meant that it was so much less formal.

 

[lpizzuro123]

We had a brunch buffet at our ADH reception. Our ceremony was at 9:00am, our pre-reception was from 10:00 to 11:00 and our reception was from 11:00 to 3:00. We love brunch and think a buffet is a great way to go. As everyone has stated, this was everyone can pick what they want and how much of it they want.

We did do menu cards and had them put at everyone's table (in their napkin). Here is a photo of our table setup with the menus in everyones napkins.

Here is a photo of two of our chefs at the make your own omlet and make your own crepe station.

BTW - we live in NJ now but are originally from NY (Queens) and have been to many weddings in the NYC area and everyone at our wedding was from either NY or NJ and everyone loved it.

Linda

 

[JandJ]

Speaking as a guest (and originally from NY and lived 6 years in NJ), I prefer a buffet. Not only are there more choices, but if you loved the fish, for example, you can get a second helping. I have food allergies and so often I can't eat half of the plated dinner put in front of me. I don't think a buffet makes your reception any less formal. The decor, food available, and how you present yourselves and your wedding party will dictate the level of formality. IMHO, buffet is the way to go.

 

[girli565]

My wedding is in June and we'll be having a buffet lunch at California Grill's Napa Room. The menu is traditional Cali Grill items and I've actually had one of the items as my meal on a prior vacation. My WC assured me that the setup is very pretty no matter what the size of your party is. I'm only having 24 adults and 6 children so it'll be a small buffet.

She should be sending me pics of the buffet set ups at my location soon, I'll be postig them in my PJ once I get them.

 

[MainStMandy]

Our wedding is another month and a half but we are also having a buffet (Because we were told at the time it was our only choice). The food was sampled was AMAZING and all my concerns about having "buffet" food quickly dissappeared!! We are having salad with honey lime dressing, parm. coated chicken, NY strip steak (action station), parm goat cheese risotto, truffle mac and cheese and seasonal veggies. I am thrilled with our choices!!

 

[KStarfish82]

I had buffet! Wanted it, had to have it! I like having variety and people getting things the way they like. I know many people think its not "fancy" but I didn't care.

We had a salad bar, grilled vegetables, action pasta station, chicken parm, roast carving, assorted breads, and pasta salad.

Buffet

Buffet 2

Buffet 3

Buffet 4

Buffet 5

Buffet 6

Buffet 7

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Thanks for the info, I look forward in seeing your pictures, I just read your journal and loved it.

I was happy to see you are from NY, I'm from NJ... I get excited seeing other Northeastern Disney Brides, it helps me show my family and friends that a Disney wedding is not a Southern thing... as they would call it!!

Thanks again for your post...

Fellow NJer here!!

I love buffets! I know that a plated meal seems fancier, but I love food and I'm often indecisive so I enjoy having the enjoy to choose more options and have more choices.

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Delurking here, but speaking as a guest who's a picky eater, I loved that my best friend had a buffet at her wedding. It made it so much easier to find something I liked and not have food left on my plate. I'm hoping to eventually have a Disney wedding (provided I ever get married), but I know I'd want to have a buffet style reception. Lots of picky eaters in my family.