Thursday, February 16, 2012

Having an at-home wedding - should I have a served dinner or buffet? And other questions.?

I am definitely on a budget, but I would definitely still like to keep my wedding as classy as possible. I've heard that buffets are cheaper because you don't have to pay as many waitstaff (makes sense), but I'm also concerned that I would end up having to purchase much more food. Secondly, I'm worried that having a buffet at my house in the country will quickly turn into a backyard-BBQ feel. So clearly I would PREFER a served meal (that was my fiance's and my original wish), but how do I make it affordable?



How much should I expect to pay for a buffet and/or served meal for 80 people?



How can I have a buffet (if that is the more affordable option) and keep it classy and my guests feeling special?Having an at-home wedding - should I have a served dinner or buffet? And other questions.?
The amount of waiters you will need for a formal plated meal will double if you go this route. However there are ways to make a buffet look classy, hire an extra waiter or two to actually plate the food at the buffet table for the guests. This will also help to ensure that you do not have to purchase extra food. If your catering company does not offer this service a wedding-party staffing company can be hired to provide the bartenders, waiters, scullery, and banquet captain.
Hire a catering company that is the whole package and will provide the food, the preparation and the wait staff. Some may also provide your linens and dinnerware.



Another option, if you're flexible on venue...move the reception to a restaurant. Everything is already there....tables, chairs, plates, linens, waitstaff. This option is very budget friendly, often you don't even need to pay for the space, just the cost of the meals.Having an at-home wedding - should I have a served dinner or buffet? And other questions.?
the cost depends upon where you live in the united states. in the deep south, you can get full plated meal service for 20 dollars per person. but if you live in new york city, the exact same thing would cost you 85 to 100 dollars per person. you didn't really give us enough info to work with.
Definitely a buffet. Especially if you are having 80 people. It can be very classy, discuss it with the caterer, it will not turn into a backyard barbecue. You can make it very elegant, and still stay within your budget.Having an at-home wedding - should I have a served dinner or buffet? And other questions.?
I suggest a served dinner. I hate to say it, but a buffet always seems so impersonal, and there is so much waste! At least with a served dinner, you know exactly what everyone wants, and you don't order too much in excess!



Hope this helps :)



~ L x
umless you have a cook and servers.buffet..you say ur on a budget...,,and whats wrong with a BBQ feel? after the boreing/crying.,.don't you look lovely it should be a party
I had a small at home reception with a buffet luncheon. Nothing backyard BBQ about it.



You contact catering firms and outline what you want, get quotes.
buffett easier
My cousin had her 'reception' at home. She had a buffet, but no music. Please provide music!!! Otherwise you'll end up with your big day feeling like a funeral.
A Buffett would work unless you have plenty of money on a budget
A served meal at your home, how would you accomadate 80 people? Have tables outside? Always have to think about rain/bad weather and have a back up plan. For me, I think you would come out better with buffet style/finger foods, have several stations and re-fill twice and then if you run out, tuff, some people will stuff themselves the longer you put out the food. I like this because it is easier to talk, walk around, convers, socialize, etc. By the atmosphere you set, using white linens, crystal/glass serving pieces, glass plates or the designed plastic plates, a couple of punch bowls, if you could borrow/rent a silver one very elegant, one with punch another with iced tea or lemonade with ladles will set the mood, lots of flowers, tall silver (plastic) vases with long stemmed flowers, can buy at grocery store floral depts. if you are cutting costs and candlelight in the house, set up buffet stations inside and provide seating outside if you don't have room for 80 in your home which would have to be large to do so comfortably. Also consider the time of year, if hot, you might want to rent a tent or rent the portable fans that spray a fine water mist, you can't even feel the water. Google for this. Also, fruit and veggie stations go a long way if you buy your own fruit rather than the pre-packaged. Especially veggies, broccoli and cauliflower, cut small, not too small but not too large.
You ask...How much should I expect to pay for a buffet and/or served meal for 80 people?



Answer: This depends on where you live and what sort of food you are looking at serving! It all depends on those two factors. If you live in or near a major city, well it's going to cost. If you live in more of a rural/small town setting, then it will be much cheaper.



I would suggest to simply call a few catering places and get some quotes. Have them give you a quote on a buffet and a quote on a served meal. That is the only way you are going to be able to make a decision!
A buffet will not make your wedding any less classy. You can decorate the buffet table nice and elegantly. An 80-people wedding is small and you would not want to pay extra for waiters and waitresses.



You can also make a compromise: having a buffet meal, but the drinks are served to the table. I have been to many weddings where the brides decided like this and it was still very elegant and classy.



For the catering costs, most caterer will calculate based on the number of people. Normally it starts from $20 per adult and $10 per child. A good caterer will advise you how to deal with this matter as they have a lot of experience in catering weddings already.



Some guide to choose a good caterer:

http://www.budgetbridesguide.com/wedding鈥?/a>

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