Buffet vs Plated
Hey All! I’m currently in the midst of the coronavirus shutdown with no weddings or events to plan. It is an unusual feeling for sure. Besides homeschooling my children, I’ve been using some of the time to focus on advertising and marketing for Whispering Springs banquets. Something I normally don’t have time to do. And while I’m at it, why not start blogging? Sounds like fun to me! I hope my thoughts and ideas can benefit bridal couples out there.
One question that couples often ponder is regarding what type of dinner service they should have at their wedding. Buffet? Plated? Or even Hors d’oeuvres style? When deciding, couples need to ask themselves some serious questions first. Do we want something Casual? Or Formal? Traditionally, a plated dinner has a more formal feel. There should be less guests wandering around during dinner service. Do we have lots of elderly or handicap people attending? At a buffet, guests have to get up and get their own food. Will they be able to walk easily and carry their plates back to the table? Whispering Springs staff does a few things to make the buffet process organized and running smooth. The servers will serve guests a plated salad (or soup) along with warm rolls to the table. Guests have to get up only once to get their main entrée and accompanied sides. Our staff will also dismiss each table up to the buffet to minimize a long line.
Is there enough space to have a buffet? Buffets usually take up a minimum of 3-4 round tables. That means there will be less available seating for dinner. So if you are on the high end of the maximum capacity (at Whispering Springs it is 270), you simply won’t have room for a buffet. If you hired a band to play for the dance, they typically take up more room than a DJ and will need to be preset prior to dinner. Do you have a photo booth, dessert station, etc? You have to take a look at what you all have going on for setup in the ballroom. Your Event Manager at Whispering will help you determine this.
If you want a plated dinner style, keep in mind that you will need to be somewhat organized. The plated dinner option offers guests a choice of 2 entrées (plus a Vegetarian and a Kids plate). You will have to spell out entrée options with the RSVP card and be prepared to keep track of the choices as they are returned. An entrée card will need to be created for each guest signifying what their choice will be. This is how the server will tell what each person ordered during dinner service.
Do you envision a mingle atmosphere where guests can grab food freely (for a period of time)? Then an hors d’oeuvres style might be the right fit for you. It’s usually a combination of some tray passed goods along with displays or stations of food. A little less structured. Not all people are seated at once. There is no right or wrong way to serve food these days to large groups. Each bridal couple has a different style. I hope some of my thoughts help determine what will be the right way to go for YOU!
