Buffet vs. Plated Reception Meal

[honey2741]

My vision for my reception was to have a plated meal. However, with my decision to go with ADH for reception location...it offers buffet only

I'm sticking with the location because it fits everything we love. For those who had a buffet meal, did your guests care one way or another? Did you find the food of the same quality as if you had a plated meal? Did it take away from the ambiance of your event? The main difference between plated vs. buffet is cost; so that is a positive. Are you able to customize a buffet meal? For example, if I wanted the Cinderella ice slipper with sorbet or the chocolate raspberry slipper for dessert, would I be able to do that?

Thanks!

 

[Mrsdisneyb2b]

Originally when we were planning out 09 wedding, we were going to have it in February (next month) and chose the buffet meal. We asked our guest's what they thought about it as well, and to be honest, alot of them were very happy with the option to pick more than what would be offered on aplated. You can add different "stations" as well, like a carving station, potato bar etc, which will make the choices even easier. We had alot of food allergies in our group as well as vegans/vegetarian cousins so, we were able to customize fairly easy. They work with you so much that its as if you will have your own choosing of food!

 

[OceanGdss]

We had a buffet at Ariel's and our guests loved it! They were able to pick and choose what they wanted, plus go back for seconds!! It was neat having a live-action carving station too. We were able to customize our menu and had everything we loved. All of our guests raved about the food, so yes, the quality is just as good as plated in my opinion. And no, I dont think it took away from the 'ambience'. If anything, it added to it, we weren't glued to our seats during the reception, and were able to mingle with all of our guests.

 

[honey2741]

We asked our guest's what they thought about it as well, and to be honest, alot of them were very happy with the option to pick more than what would be offered on aplated. You can add different "stations" as well, like a carving station, potato bar etc, which will make the choices even easier. We had alot of food allergies in our group as well as vegans/vegetarian cousins so, we were able to customize fairly easy. They work with you so much that its as if you will have your own choosing of food!

Sounds like fun! You can have as little or as much as you want. I didn't think of it that way. Thanks.

We had a buffet at Ariel's and our guests loved it! They were able to pick and choose what they wanted, plus go back for seconds!! It was neat having a live-action carving station too. We were able to customize our menu and had everything we loved. All of our guests raved about the food, so yes, the quality is just as good as plated in my opinion. And no, I dont think it took away from the 'ambience'. If anything, it added to it, we weren't glued to our seats during the reception, and were able to mingle with all of our guests.

Sounds like fun! Not being glued to the seat is a great point. I guess I just needed to hear it from other people's experience. I feel a whole lot better!! I'm glad they are able to customize. Thanks a million!

 

[camara381]

We also wanted a plated dinner but were forced into buffet due to location. Italy is way too far from any kitchen. It has become easier to put the menu together and I like that our guests will have several different options they're not stuck with one thing. I was told we could not have sorbet served in any shaped ice because of the heat, you can however have the chocolate slipper but it has to be served to everyone.

 

[DisneyDeeFL]

We had a buffet at ADH, and it was awesome! Our menu was customized and had everything we wanted, and everyone loved the food. People took whatever they wanted, and if they wanted more, there was plenty! I was afraid it'd be tacky to have a long line of people waiting to eat, but the waitstaff quietly invited each table to go, so it wasn't a herd of people all at once. Given the choice again between plated meal or buffet, we'd definitely choose buffet

 

[honey2741]

I was afraid it'd be tacky to have a long line of people waiting to eat, but the waitstaff quietly invited each table to go, so it wasn't a herd of people all at once. Given the choice again between plated meal or buffet, we'd definitely choose buffet

That's exactly what I was worried about. Glad it was organized!

 

[OceanGdss]

Ours was very organized. Ive been to many weddings with buffets and ive waited an hour to eat, but all our guests had their meals within 20 minutes of us starting :

 

[MegKate]

As a 12 time bridesmaid, I've always liked buffets - I'm allergic to mushrooms and am lactose intolerant - so allowing me to choose makes things alot easier.

It's from that knowledge that I decided to go buffet - because we're going to need vegan and glutein (sp?) free options.

 

[twiu]

My wedding was at ADH and i also wanted a plated dinner. I have to say though, everyone loved the buffet and it encourages your guests to mingle - for that location, it's perfect. The food was amazing - so no! It did not compromise the food quality. Also, we customized our menu. It's been four months and our guests still tell us about how original our wedding was and talk about how fantastic the food was. they also did comment about ADH and how fantastic and different the reception location was. I wouldn't have changed a thing if I could go back...

ADH is awesome. You will love it!!!

 

[JenandJosh2009]

Thank you for starting this thread! We hadn't even considered doing a buffet before reading this. I do have a question about pricing for kids. Are you charged the regular buffet price for kids or a kids price?

 

[Keira1387]

Thank you for starting this thread! We hadn't even considered doing a buffet before reading this. I do have a question about pricing for kids. Are you charged the regular buffet price for kids or a kids price?

It is a cheaper price, but I can't remember how much off the top of my head. However, we did a kids menu for them. It was chicken fingers, mickey-roni and cheese, fries, and corn. The kids meals were plated and brought out while everyone was getting their food.

 

[lpizzuro123]

Our guests loved the buffet at our ADH wedding reception. We had 50 guests and there was never a long line of people - everything was very organized. My DH and I went up first (with our own waiter) and they got all our food for us and then our guests went up table by table.

Here is a photo of two of our chefs by the make your omlet and make you own creppe stations.

Linda

 

[OceanGdss]

We had a buffet and plated meals for the kids. I think the plated meals were around $25?? Pretty cheap..and they loved them!! Mickey-roni with cheese is always a hit! LoL...my FG even felt bad that I didnt have any so she shared her Mickey-roni with me

 

[northeastmom]

My Daughter was just married on Dec 7th at the WP and reception at the GF. I was dead set on a sit down dinner but ended up having a Buffet! Loved it!! It was very elegant and classy! The food was great and everybody loved it!! Everyone went back a few times and there was always plenty of food. The guests loved the Mashed potatoes in glasses..They were a hit and were delicious...Don't worry about a buffet....Disney does it great!!

 

[Briarprincess]

As a 12 time bridesmaid, I've always liked buffets - I'm allergic to mushrooms and am lactose intolerant - so allowing me to choose makes things alot easier.

It's from that knowledge that I decided to go buffet - because we're going to need vegan and glutein (sp?) free options.

Don't want to hijack this thread or anything, but wanted to put out there- if you know of certain guests who have dietary restrictions, Disney will make them a special meal. I don't know a lot, but we had a special meal made for my little cousin who need Gluten free everything. Some people thought he even ate better than they did! Portions were huge for him and at our PS, our chef even offered to speak to his parents about what he would/would not eat. It's always something to consider!


And now back to the topic!
We did buffet at Ariels, but no matter where we picked, it was a buffet no matter what. Best choice ever. Everyone loved having choices and getting to choose just how much they wanted. Also, it gave people a chance to try things they may not have tried (such as one cousin who NEVER ate potatoes, but tried the ones we had and is now hooked!). We wanted everyone to be happy and actually eat and the buffet was the only way to do that.

Oh and cost for the children- we only had 5 kids, one getting a Gluten free meal. The 4 ate from the buffet so Disney charged us half of the cost of the adult buffet (so $77 for adults, $38.50 for kids).

 

[JenandJosh2009]

Awesome!!! Thanks for all of the info! I definitely think the buffet is the way to go now! I'm excited!

 

[StitchBride]

We did a plated dinner for our wedding in the GF which was unbelievable and I was so happy with....HOWEVER, I went to a close friend's wedding at ADH where she had buffet and it was also fantastic. I wouldn't say there were any quality differences between either dinner, they were both amazing. The action stations really make it so much better, as the food is fresh and not just sitting there like you have at some buffets. The potato bar was to die for!

 

[PrincessMonkey]

We did buffet at Ariels, but no matter where we picked, it was a buffet no matter what. Best choice ever. Oh and cost for the children- we only had 5 kids, one getting a Gluten free meal. The 4 ate from the buffet so Disney charged us half of the cost of the adult buffet (so $77 for adults, $38.50 for kids).

I don't want to hijack this thread either, but it was interesting to see the pricing. I thought that all reception costs were $125 per person? How could the Ariel's buffet only cost $77/pp? I'd appreciate a private PM or a little explanation about how the pricing works.

I think Disney would do a great job with the buffet. Although a plated meal might be more elegant in the way the food is presented on the plate, we love the idea of our guests having as much or little food as they want. I like that Disney staff are discrete with inviting tables to their food stations, so a mass of guests are not held up in a long line to eat.

Thank you DISbrides... It is SO helpful to hear everyone's experiences!

 

[Briarprincess]

$77 was buffet food only per person. Cake, appetizers, etc, counted towards our food min.
I know we spent right about $7800 on the "Catering" aspect of our reception (not including the cake handling fee). That # includes: Vendor meals, Soft drinks, bottled water, Fruit with Dip, Cheese display, Buffet, 4 Children's Buffet, and 1 Gluten free meal. That was for 60 people total (a few less actually) ~ so $130 per person!
I should note that we had an 11am/12pm Pre/Reception, so we had the "Gus" buffet with the Fruit with Dip and Cheese at the Pre-reception to keep things light.
It's been a long night at work but I would be more than happy to look over my numbers and get back to you!
Also, if anyone is interested in a detailed breakdown or what we got for that price, just let me know!
Our entire wedding (ceremony, reception, and welcome dinner) came in under $18500!