So we went to meet with the caterer today and now I am more confused. Please Help. first off has anyone ever heard of 'Family Style' where each table is served italian style in the middle of the table and serve themself?? not crazy about the idea, not to mention my BEAUTIFUL centerpeices. Then, I really had my mind set on a seated served dinner. The caterer has suggested buffet type service where the head table is served and the others go up and get their food from the line. not sure which idea is gonna work. What are your experiences? What type of dinner are you having?
So we went to meet with the caterer today and now I am more confused. Please Help. first off has anyone ever heard of 'Family Style' where each table is served italian style in the middle of the table and serve themself?? not crazy about the idea, not to mention my BEAUTIFUL centerpeices. Then, I really had my mind set on a seated served dinner. The caterer has suggested buffet type service where the head table is served and the others go up and get their food from the line. not sure which idea is gonna work. What are your experiences? What type of dinner are you having?
I was considering family style for my reception just because i thought it would promote community since i'm seating some people with people they may not know. My plan was to have lazy susans but donut-shaped so that my centerpieces wouldn't be harmed.
Anyway, now i'm moving toward buffet style ...
MsB,my reception was buffet style where the head table and 2 family tables were served and everyone else served themselves. It worked great for me! Hope that helps
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M.Kana- that's a great idea using the lazy susan, alleviates stress about the centerpeices, I would have to see a demo to see how functional it would be.
P.Bliss- Buffet is not what I initially wanted, and I didn't want our family to have to wait, so I guess if I did it like yours they would get the individual service that I'm looking for.
My only two requirements for my reception were that there was soul food w/splash of carribean fare, and an open bar. I have my 2 req. it's just working out the details that's killing me...
thanks for the input ladies.
I have never heard about this italian style dinner. Although I am a woman who wants my guest to be served, if it works for you then go for it. If you dont mind me asking would the cost be cheaper if you had it this way then each guest being served?
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A seated, individually served dinner was the most expensive,(not because of the food he says... but because of the service provided) Family/Italian style is a little cheaper,and family style has the option of the center serving dishes to be refilled, so there would obvoiusly need to be more food that is bought/available = more $ I guess.?? The least expensive would be the buffet style. Caterer says that with the buffet, once, it's gone it's gone. I know in my family food=good times. What I really want is for our guests/family to enjoy themselves. Good food, good drinks, good music. If I was a guest I guess I wouldn't mind buffet.
Thanks HW147.
I know i'm only inviting 100-120 people max, so a buffet seems like a good plan for me. I've been to parties where 100 people were fed and i can easily visualize how much food that is. Ms Boston, how many people are coming?
well Mkana Right now we have about 110. Of course I get the daily call from my mother who reminds me of my great aunt...or her second cousin...or ray-ray n'them...LOL. I mean it never ends. We are setting the ABSOLUTE limit to 150 but I doubt we'll reach that number. Large attendant party w/16 of us @head table. I guess in thinking about it I won't be UPSET about a buffet as long as it all works out. But you know how sometimes you get a picture in your head about how you want things to be...I've realized that compromises must be made everyday when it comes to this whole planning shenanagan. I feel the need to add that I feel alone in making these decesions FH is basially like, "whatever you want to do" GEE THANKS big guy.
We're doing a buffet style, and MsBoston you are right, once its gone its gone. With a buffet you have to definitely be precise with that final number because they definitely will cook only for what was given.
I think that you should just do whatever feels fine. The buffet to me is ideal because it gives a little more choice for guests. If you can spring the extra $ for the family/italian style then go for it.
Caution-is most people in your family used to it?> I'd hate for people to be eating from the serving dishes at the table and someone gets a little more than someone else and a problem ensues. Definitely get all the research you can on how this works.
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Hey there MsBoston, we had a buffet-style dinner where the heads of the table were served and everyone else served themselves. It worked out fine for us and if I had to do it all over again, I would go with a buffet-style dinner again.
Delight yourself in The Lord & He will give you the desires of your heart!Ps 37
Hello MsBoston. My cousin had family style at her wedding last year and it worked well for the people at my table. There were about 10 of us and the table was a round table. I think she had a center piece. The servers did not have a lot of food on the serving plates but came back around and asked everyone if they wanted more. (My cousin had about 150 pp at her reception.) I thought it was nice. If you have people at the table who may not know each other, it is a great way to get them talking.
[quote="Bumblebeekee"]
Caution-is most people in your family used to it?> I'd hate for people to be eating from the serving dishes at the table and someone gets a little more than someone else and a problem ensues. Definitely get all the research you can on how this works.
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I know it..The way my fam is sometimes I wonder where I came from...LOL. Don't think anyone in our family knows too much about that style of dinner. ViBride IS my research...you ladies haven't lead me wrong yet!
DR- That's comforting to know that you would choose it again. So it's safe to say that all worked out well? No fighting, mauling, jumping the line...no wait that's my family...LOL.
well when all's said and done, I just don't want any problems. and I want everyone to eat well.
Thanks sooo much again ladies.
[quote="DWBride"] If you have people at the table who may not know each other, it is a great way to get them talking.
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I think this would be one reason to do the family style dinner. If you really have your heart set on it, then by golly girl Do It!
The buffet receptions I have seen have always worked out fine. There was always a coordinator or someone to direct each table to the line to keep order....
We've been Happily Married 2 Years and Counting:)
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[quote="DaughterRhonda"]Hey there MsBoston, we had a buffet-style dinner where the heads of the table were served and everyone else served themselves. It worked out fine for us and if I had to do it all over again, I would go with a buffet-style dinner again.[/quote]
[quote="DWBride"]My cousin had family style at her wedding last year and it worked well for the people at my table. If you have people at the table who may not know each other, it is a great way to get them talking.[/quote]
Ooooh it's like you guys are in my head! This is why i keep going back and forth about buffet v. family style. Money will be my decider.
Keep us posted on your decision, you know we all love to help!
Awwwww, thank you all. I won't make any decisions right now (I'm amazing under pressure) but I seem to be leaning towards buffet. Aside from the issue about getting the guests to converse which is a goal of mine, it seems that buffet may just have to work.
MKana...right now I am wishing that your wedding was coming up sooner so you could give me the low-down on family style! Let us know what you finally decide to do.
I too, will keep you'll posted.
Sure thing MsBoston, I'm the same way about pressure. By the way, it's okay to call me Musikana while i wait for an official nickname from Rhony (DaughterRhonda) and Askalot/Knowsalot (SeptBride). Hint, hint, Rhony.
I'm sure Empress Rhony will come up with a nickname for your.
Hmmmm, let me give it some thought.
Delight yourself in The Lord & He will give you the desires of your heart!Ps 37
MKana (and all)You ever read a post, and want to reply to it...only to find out later you don't know where the heck it went?!? Well who knows where it went, I happen to agree w/ Rhony...Musik...LOVE it!
MsBoston you were probably looking for the Board Names post and yes i have done the same thing in the past. :)
Holla, Musik
Hello ladies Your day your way. my opinion is buffet. Some people are funny about food. The 1st time I got married, we had a sit down so everyone got served. This time definitly buffet. If people are at a table together, it seems inevitable that they will talk. If they do nt want to, family is nt going to make them, no longer than pass this:). When I said people are funny about food, I mean like my difficult mother. She wld have a problem siting at a table with people she does nt know while they are going in the food possibly getting their hands in it since obviously the pans at a table are nt as big as the 1's at a buffet. In my experience coordinating weddings, most places refill a buffet regardless of how many people you have on your final count. I have never seen a professional place run out of food at a buffet and people go with out. Good luck on your decision and I hope that I helped at least a little.
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GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME; ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD. WHEN IN DOUBT, PRAY
With the buffet style will the caterers provide help to serve the food or will your guest fix there own food?
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I would like to have a buffet-style dinner.I'm a little funny when it comes to food so I would like to have servers.That way,there aren't as many hands in the food.
Born Blessed!
HW147- w/the buffet style the serving would be done by the caterers servers. I guess it's easier like that. I can see my folks going overboard if left to handle the situation for themselves. Would be a sight to behold...Trust.
Tajmom/Plat.Style- I see what yall mean about people being funny about food. I can see little grubby hands just digging in...LOL, I know I would be watching people like a hawk to see if they were picking their nose, or not washing hands...things like that...LOL well theres always purell ; )
[quote="platinumstyle"]I would like to have a buffet-style dinner.I'm a little funny when it comes to food so I would like to have servers.That way,there aren't as many hands in the food.
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Good point -- LOL!!!
Delight yourself in The Lord & He will give you the desires of your heart!Ps 37
[quote="DaughterRhonda"]I would like to have a buffet-style dinner.I'm a little funny when it comes to food so I would like to have servers.That way,there aren't as many hands in the food.
Good point -- LOL!!!
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Oh yes that is a good point! SO good I am making a note for my next meeting with the restaraunt managers.
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I'm going with seated served dinner because it looks nice. plus I don't see my family alot because we live in different states so, I want them to really enjoy thierselves. I think that would like being served. Also I don't want any drama with lining up and going for seconds. Every situation is different it does depends on what you want. It's your day and it's about you. Seated is more but you have to decide where you are going to spend the bulk of your money. Some buffet is can be more then seated.
[quote="KMED122"]Seated is more but you have to decide where you are going to spend the bulk of your money. Some buffet is can be more then seated.
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This is very true. A place I was looking in to in Orlando was charging 5+ dollars more for the buffet. But even if you do seated, you can negotiate your price by removing or substituting food choices if this is even allowed.
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I am going with a sit down dinner as well. It cost a little more but it's what I perfer. Good luck on deciding MsBoston.
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I'm having a buffet style reception. Me and entire wedding party (including parent's tables) will be served though.
[quote="SeptBride"]I'm having a buffet style reception. Me and entire wedding party (including parent's tables) will be served though.
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Good point,Askalot!
Born Blessed!
In my case I am getting married aboard a yacht and I am having buffet style but the servers will serve the food it will never bee unattended.
SEASONS IM WALKING INTO MY SEASON