The pros and cons of two popular reception meal options
Couples planning a wedding undoubtedly know that the food and drinks served at wedding receptions are major factors in how much guests enjoy the celebration . After all , hungry , thirsty guests will not be having fun .
According to the resource Wedding Forward , the national average cost per head at wedding receptions in the United States is $ 90 . The wedding planning resource The Knot estimates that roughly 29 percent of a couple ’ s budget will go toward catering .
With so much money on the line and hungry guests to feed , couples face many decisions regarding their wedding day menus . Among the first questions a catering hall manager may ask is which type of dinner service couples prefer . Venues typically offer buffet and plated options , and the following can help couples choose which style is for them .
Plated service
A plated meal consists of all guests being seated and served a formal dinner , which usually includes an appetizer and entrée . A key benefit of this type of meal is that it ensures everyone eats at the same time . Guests sometimes pre-select their food options on the R . S . V . P , which means that catering halls have advanced knowledge of food allergies or special needs . Or they select from a predetermined menu at the reception . Plated dinners are efficient and can keep the wedding running on schedule .
Plated service features only a select number of meal options , which can be a negative for some couples . Guests cannot sample a few other things as they might like with a buffet . More servers are needed for plated service , so staffing costs may be more for this option than they are for buffet service .
Buffet service
A wedding reception buffet features various foods in chafing dishes at a single centralized buffet station . While guests sometimes serve themselves , typically waitstaff spoon portions onto guests ’ plates . There tends to be more variety with a buffet , and this option may feel more relaxing as well . Buffet meals encourage guests to mingle and provides an opportunity to sample different foods .
Some people don ’ t relish carrying dishes of food back to tables and risking spillage on formal clothing . Buffet also is less formal than a plated dinner . Buffets may even be more costly , since catering halls need to have a greater amount of food ready . There may be long wait times for buffet as well .
Additional options
These are not the only meal services available . A new trend for weddings is food station service . This is similar to a buffet , but has different stations situated throughout the room to avoid bottlenecks . Food stations can be themed , with Mexican offerings at one station and French delicacies at another .
Some couples choose to eschew traditional dinners altogether . In the event of a wedding that takes place early or late in the day , a brunch or even a simple cocktail party with passed bites may be preferable .
Couples should consider food service as they plan their weddings , and choose an option that fits their wedding budgets and visions . n
80 MoultrieScene JULY 2023