To Plate or Not to Plate: Buffet Wedding Receptions

To Plate or Not to Plate: an important questions for many couples.  We started with Plated Wedding Receptions.  We are now going to take a look at Buffet or Station Wedding Receptions.

Photos by MegPhoto.com (top) and Rhodes Studios (bottom left & right)

For Brides looking to offer a variety of foods, buffet is the perfect option. Guests are released by table to make their plates with an assortment of delicious options. One advantage of buffets is less work for you prior to the wedding! You will not need to worry about collecting counts for steak or chicken, since guests can get whatever they’d like during your reception.  Do you have guests with allergies or special diet requests? These days, you can offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten free options along with all your favorites. A simple request in advance to your Catering Manager to notate these options is all it takes. Buffets and Stations can have a little higher price point because the Culinary Team prepares enough of all the items for your guests to have a sampling of each however, you are offering your guests more variety.

Photos by Soltren Photography (top left and bottom right) and MegPhoto.com (top right and bottom left)

Another positive for buffets is that it makes your reception a little more interactive. One of our previous weddings dismissed tables based on trivia about the bride and groom; a fun option instead of by table number. You can also enhance the food stations with an action chef.  Who doesn’t enjoy having their pasta made to their specifications right in front of them or selecting the perfect piece of carved steak.  Some may say that buffets and stations are less formal because you are serving yourself but others enjoy having the opportunity to make their own selections.