what do wedding guests like more: buffet or seated catering with a 'you get what you get' menu?

The most popular food option with my clients is a cocktail style of service where guests are able to sample a variety of foods over and extended service period. This is obviously a more casual wedding environment and my not suit all who are looking for a more formal approach eg. formal sit down dinner or lunch.

FoodByWayne are happy to provide either service! (sit down, buffet or cocktail)

Buffet generally is a better option for over 25 guests.

Help yourselves... the benefits of having a buffet

• A buffet can still include the formality of a sit-down, silver service wedding breakfast. Guests can help themselves to a main buffet and then sit down at tables.
• A buffet gives you the option of serving a relatively broad menu meaning that guests can help themselves to exactly what they would like to eat.
• A finger buffet (or cocktail and canapé party) dispenses with the need for tables and chairs meaning you can invite more guests. As well as taking up less room, this is generally a less expensive option than a seated dinner.
• As guests are generally helping themselves or being served at a buffet area, you're likely to require fewer waiting staff... and this means lower costs.
• Buffets are perfect if you're having a summer wedding and like the idea of having a barbecue or cold meats and salads. The food itself makes a wonderful visual impact and you could offer the option of tables and chairs and large floor cushions.
• Buffets generally allow people to mingle so they're a great idea if your guests know each other well.

Hi there,

Thank you for ask It. Great question.

So, It depends of the atmosphere of the wedding that would you like to create... We have been working very well with our 3 options..

1. A formal wedding with our food runners coming to the table and cut the meat from the skeewers for you. (very popular and guests have several choices of food). 

2. Plated service with food runners coming to the table with the plate ready . (2 or 3 choices of food)

3. Buffet style, guests feel more confortable to eat anytime coming to the food area and interactive with other guests moving around. 

As a guest, I would love the Buffet style... However, as I said, It is all about the atmosphere and also the time that you have to put the event together.

Thank you for your enquiry. Have a great day!

Hi There,

Great question, we get asked this all the time.  I would suggest that the best option rather than a buffet, is to spread sharing platters a long each guest table, which incourages interaction amongst your guests, whilst offering them plenty of variety.  It also requires less time to serve guests as they dont have to get up and que at a buffet and sit back down again, which can be important depending on your event running sheet.

Kind Regards,

Sean 

sharing plates in seated catering its a much better option

Hello

Thank you for your enquiry. We think that it really depends more on your style of wedding, how formal or casual you want it to be and your budget

A more formal wedding would tend to be a seated wedding. You would need more staff to wait on the guests

With a buffet there would be more choice for the guests and it would be more informal with guests helping themselves to the food

We offer both but our paella catering is served buffet style which does minimise wait staff and when people are moving around its more interactive

At the end of the day its really about you and what you want at your wedding

Kind regards

Louise

Whose wedding is it? You choose what YOU want. It could be a different matter of the guests have to pay.