Plated meal vs. Buffet vs. Action Station

[Pinkerbell1983]

Can anyone give me some help regarding picking between the two? I want people to have a choice so I was thinking a buffet... but then I like the idea of a plated. With the plated, can you chose more than one option? DF's family like very plain food, where as myself and my family like the total opposite. Can I pick different meals for different people?

 

[orangetiggs]

we had a duo plate with steak and chicken and then served the sauces seperately so people could add it if they wanted to

 

[DaDivatude]

It depends on what kind of wedding you are having. Buffet can be done formally, but plated is always the most formal choice. As far as food choices, you could do crown service where people choose their meals at the table. That's more expensive though, because the kitchen has to have enough food for every meal for every person. Another (easier option) is to choose your meals and put a space on the response card where people can check off what they want when they RSVP. Hope all that helped!

 

[Pinkerbell1983]

It depends on what kind of wedding you are having. Buffet can be done formally, but plated is always the most formal choice. As far as food choices, you could do crown service where people choose their meals at the table. That's more expensive though, because the kitchen has to have enough food for every meal for every person. Another (easier option) is to choose your meals and put a space on the response card where people can check off what they want when they RSVP. Hope all that helped!

Ok, so I could say pick three different meals, ask my guests to choose one meal before the wedding and then I would still only have to pay the $125pp or whatever? That way they could have different food?

What are action stations?

 

[DaDivatude]

Ok, so I could say pick three different meals, ask my guests to choose one meal before the wedding and then I would still only have to pay the $125pp or whatever? That way they could have different food?

What are action stations?

That's the way it goes, yes. Basically at the bottom of the card will be the option with a little line for guests to put how many of the plates they want. You turn in the cards to the chef and they make exactly as many as were ordered. Easy, right?

Action stations are buffet stations where a chef is there making the food per order. It's a step up from buffet, since buffet foods are typically sitting out the whole time instead of made-to-order.

 

[orangetiggs]

the price depends on what you choose so could go over the 125pp or under

 

[BecBennett]

Every wedding I've ever been to has had two entrees, and they just alternated each plate with each guest - ie: the two people on either side of you would have the opposite meal to what you had. There wasn't a choice between the plates, but if you wanted you could always swap with whoever was next to you... Do they not do this at DW?

 

[torsie24]

Every wedding I've ever been to has had two entrees, and they just alternated each plate with each guest - ie: the two people on either side of you would have the opposite meal to what you had. There wasn't a choice between the plates, but if you wanted you could always swap with whoever was next to you... Do they not do this at DW?

Wow, I've never heard of that!

I've always had a little slip on the rsvp to mark what choice i want.

But I'm quite liking the idea of a buffet, then I can worry less about teh fussy eaters, and as I know I wont be able to eat a thing as I'll be waaay too excited so at least there shouldnt be as much waste...?

 

[Pinkerbell1983]

I just really like the idea of people having a choice, maybe the only way to have this is by having a buffet or action stations?

 

[jessesgirl-080708]

Here's what we did.
I wanted plated and my parents wanted buffet, so we compromised.

I had a plated appetizer (shrimp cocktail)
A plated salad ( the iceberg wedge and flower)

Then for the entree.. we had a buffet set up.
The buffet had
Shrimp and Scallops
Chicken Marsala
Carving station with Filet of Beef
Mashed potoato
And veggies
-they also had all the sauces set up for everyone.
This way I didn't have to decide the entree, because frankly, I knew everyone would want something different.

For dessert we had wedding cake, and then the buffet was set up at SCP for the dessery party later that night.


I loved the way it turned out, and I am so glad we did the half and half. I still got the plated, but didn't have to decide. And, I don't think the quality of the food was any different from the plated and the buffet.

And, we payed the same price for the dinner as we would have to have a full plated meal.
HTH

 

[Malefi_Stitch]

Here's what we did.
I wanted plated and my parents wanted buffet, so we compromised.

I had a plated appetizer (shrimp cocktail)
A plated salad ( the iceberg wedge and flower)

Then for the entree.. we had a buffet set up.
The buffet had
Shrimp and Scallops
Chicken Marsala
Carving station with Filet of Beef
Mashed potoato
And veggies
-they also had all the sauces set up for everyone.
This way I didn't have to decide the entree, because frankly, I knew everyone would want something different.

For dessert we had wedding cake, and then the buffet was set up at SCP for the dessery party later that night.


I loved the way it turned out, and I am so glad we did the half and half. I still got the plated, but didn't have to decide. And, I don't think the quality of the food was any different from the plated and the buffet.

And, we payed the same price for the dinner as we would have to have a full plated meal.
HTH

WOW! I love that idea! We're having the same issue. I know my parents want plated and we'd like plated too but there is less of a choice and there's going to be such a mix of tastes and appetites. That's a great way to have a mix of both. I'll definitely have to keep that in mind when we build our menu.

Thanks for the tip!!

 

[lpizzuro123]

I know plated is more formal but we just love buffets. I would love to be able to have both the chicken and the meat (depending on what you decide to serve) I would just take a smaller portion of each. I also love veggies so I might want to take some extra of those and less of something else.

We are doing a brunch buffet with 2 action station (a chef will be there making omelets - with whatever the people want on them) and crepes (either cheese or chocolate). I think this looks much nicer and tastes better then an omelet that has been sitting there (this was important to DF's father).

We are also having salad, parm crusted chicken a veggie pasta dish, bacon, sausage and eggs, bagels and creamcheese with lox. Our brunch is starting at 11:30 so this will give people some breakfast and lunch food. Our pre-reception is from 10:00 to 11:00 and we are having a fruit display with dip and an assortment of pastries. Hopefully this will cover all the basis.

Linda

 

[Pinkerbell1983]

Here's what we did.
I wanted plated and my parents wanted buffet, so we compromised.

I had a plated appetizer (shrimp cocktail)
A plated salad ( the iceberg wedge and flower)

Then for the entree.. we had a buffet set up.
The buffet had
Shrimp and Scallops
Chicken Marsala
Carving station with Filet of Beef
Mashed potoato
And veggies
-they also had all the sauces set up for everyone.
This way I didn't have to decide the entree, because frankly, I knew everyone would want something different.

For dessert we had wedding cake, and then the buffet was set up at SCP for the dessery party later that night.


I loved the way it turned out, and I am so glad we did the half and half. I still got the plated, but didn't have to decide. And, I don't think the quality of the food was any different from the plated and the buffet.

And, we payed the same price for the dinner as we would have to have a full plated meal.
HTH

This sounds like a good idea! I'm gonna leave desserts off the menu and just serve them at the DP. So with the buffet you still get a proper dinner, you just have more options, and have to queue up for it?

Does the buffet tables take up loads of room?

 

[jessesgirl-080708]

For Whitehall, our buffet was set up in the hallway leading into the room.
So it didn't take up any space!