Wedding Reception Food Options

Pros and Cons of Buffets, Sit Down Dinners, & Other Catering Ideas

© Naomi Rockler-Gladen

Jun 15, 2007

What's the best way to feed a room full of hungry wedding guests? Is the traditional sit down dinner the best option? Should you go with a buffet? Or how about something a little different, like an appetizer party or a brunch? To help you decide, here are some advantages to consider for each of these catering options.

Advantages of the sit down meal:

• If you want your reception to be formal and elegant, the sit down meal may be the better bet. Picky guests are more likely to be impressed.
• Your guests don't have to work for their food! This is especially helpful to elderly guests and guests with small children.
• For guests who have traveled a long distance, it may feel appropriate to feed them with a more formal meal.
• You don't have to worry about running out of food.
• Guests don't have to worry as much about making a mess on their nice clothing.

Advantages of the buffet meal:

• If you want your reception to be more casual and laid back, a buffet might be the better bet. Guests are more likely to feel comfortable.
• Buffets are usually less expensive than sit down dinners. There's no wait staff to pay, and the food is often cheaper.
• You can offer your guests a variety of food options. Aunt Bertha will be satisfied with the meat and potatoes, and your vegetarian cousin Aurora will be delighted with the veggie lasagna. People enjoy having a bounty of food to choose from.
• Buffets encourage mingling. They force people to get up from their table, at least once!

Advantages of the appetizer party:

• Serving appetizers instead of a full meal is definitely a cheaper option. If you serve hearty appetizers, your guests will feel well fed without the extra expense.
• Appetizers allow you to be flexible and creative. You can choose a theme, like tiny cheeseburgers and miniature hot fudge sundaes. Or you can can choose food that matches the bridesmaids' gowns. Use your imagination!
• Appetizers allow you to provide a mix of food for various tastes and lifestyle choices. You can serve appetizers for the beef eaters, the fish eaters, the vegetarians, the low-carb dieters, the spice haters, the spice lovers, and so forth.
• If you want people to mingle, this is any easy way to do that.
• For a variation, try a dessert party! Who wouldn't enjoy that?

Advantages of the brunch:

• Unless you serve your eggs with lobster and caviar, catered brunches tend to be much cheaper than catered lunches and dinners.
• You can be flexible with the level of formality. Brunches can be dressed up to be elegant with mimosas or dressed down to be casual with donuts. You can have a sit down brunch or a buffet.
• Most people like big yummy breakfasts. Serve some decadent French toast and you won't have many naysayers. People associate brunches with fun and family gatherings.
• A brunch is original. Your guests have been to plenty of weddings where they serve chicken Kiev and baked potatoes. People will remember your unique brunch menu.

See also: Creative wedding favors and cheap honeymoon ideas.

Formal place settings-- is this your style?

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