Planning your reception:
Which dinner service is right for your wedding?
But sit-down dinners are typically
Weddings are typically the culmina- more expensive as well. Guests are
tion of months of careful planning, generally given several choices for the
After a couple has officially tied the main course, and that could mean or-
knot, a celebration typically follows, dering extra food and preparing it to
Although music and mingling are in- be ready for guests' selections. Serv-
tegral to a wedding reception, the ing meals may take longer, and some-
meal is often the central component times meals may not arrive hot to the
of the party.
Couples have options when choos-
ing dinner service for their weddings,
and some need not serve dinner at
all. An early wedding may consist of
a brunch or some passed appetizers,
while some couples opt for a cock-
tail party in lieu of a dinner party.
Still, some weddings feature only
desserts.
But guests attending more tradi-
tional weddings expect to dine at the
receptions that follow such affairs.
Buffet service and a sit-down dinner
are the most popular choices for
wedding meals, and each has its ad-
vantages and disadvantages. Choos-
ing the dinner service that works best
for your wedding may involve a care-
ful comparison of the various offer-
ings and keeping your budget and
guests' comfort in mind.
Sit-down dinner
A sit-down dinner consists of sev-
eral courses of plated food served
by a waitstaff. Guests never have to
table. Guests may be limited to cer-
tain food choices, and portion sizes
may not be what guests were hoping
for. Sitting idle for a while can affect
the mood of the reception and lead to
boredom.
Buffet service
A buffet-style dinner is served from
a long dais table that holds several
chafing dishes full of food. Wedding
guests will rise from their seats and
make their way to the buffet stations,
where they'll be able to serve them-
selves or be served by staff manning
the stations.
Buffets present an array of foods that
cater to the various dietary needs of
guests. Those at the reception can
sample several different foods rather
than be restricted to one main course.
Guests can limit portion sizes or
sometimes return for second helpings.
Buffets are generally less formal and
allow guests to mingle more readily.
But buffet-style meals may produce
long lines as guests pick and choose
leave their seats, and sit-down ser- their meals. While experienced cater-
vice is usually in line with a formal ing managers and reception site staff
reception. Some food offerings at should have plans in place to create a
sit-down dinners tend to be fancy and free-flow of guests to the buffet eta-
presented in a manner that is appeal- tions, there will be a first and a last
ing both to the eye and the palate, table called to eat, and guests on the
There are several advantages to sit- tail end of the service may be stuck
down meals. Guests can focus en-
tirely on enjoying themselves and with whatever is left over if food is not
adequately restocked. In an effort to
conversing with fellow guests rather accommodate everyone, extra food
than getting up to seek out food, and may be cooked for buffet-style din-
those with mobility issues do not ners, which can be costly and waste-
have to worry about maneuvering to ful. In addition, guests are asked to do
a buffet station or trying to balance more work, as they need to get up and
food. Guests get top-notch treat- retrieve their own food.
ment and will have a waitstaffon call A catering company or the banquet
to fill their every need, which can manager at a reception site can work
make an affair more memorable for with couples as they decide if a buffet
all in attendance, or sit-down dinner is the best option
for their wedding receptions.
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July 2, 2014--JOURNAL OPINION--Page 15
Seating solutions:
How to manage seating arrangements
After all of the invitations have been
sent and RSVPs returned, engaged
couples who are including a sit-
down dinner as part of their wedding
receptions must figure out the seat-
ing arrangements for their guests.
Such a task can be both fun and
stressful.
The tim of making seating arrange-
ments stems from reuniting friends
and family members who couples
feel will enjoy one another's com-
pany and make the reception that
much more fun. But feuding family
members can make the task of as-
signing seats somewhat stressful.
Couples need not be relationship
experts to plan seating arrangements
that ensure guests have a good time.
The following tips can help couples
enjoy the process of mapping out
their wedding reception seating as-
signments as much as possible.
Make assignments by hand.
While there is software designed
specifically to help couples map out
seating assignments, many couples
find it easier to do the seating as- when assigning seats.
signments by hand, which allows Keep special needs guests in
To
Our
couples more freedom to rear- mind. Some guests at the wedding v, e,come
range tables. In addition, makingthe may have special needs, and this must Bridal Room At
seating arrangements by hand en- be kept in mind when planning seat-
sures whothat coupleSnot spread out ing assignments. Guests with medi- :!l, TO .4"
guests might get along, cal conditions may benefit from sit- 1'
Don't seat guests in the hopes of ting close to the restroom, while ’i
.%.
quashing old conflicts. While the those with mobility issues might be " ,, PARTY STORI:"
jovial spirit ofaweddingceremony best served sitting in a spot where
and reception might seem like the waitstaff can more easily recognize ,
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flicts might escalate. Couples thing and won't feel left out.
don't want their weddings to be re- Make sure the seating assignment
membered for all the wrong rea- table is easily accessible. The table
sons, so keep feuding factions apart ° See seating on page 16
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