More and more brides and grooms are deciding to organise a buffet-style wedding reception on their big day, which is only natural! Because it is a very dynamic and varied option that allows guests to move around and interact with each other.
Buffets have evolved so spectacularly that you can enjoy extremely succulent and delicious dishes, which means that brides and grooms are increasingly taking this option into account when organising their wedding.
So, if you also want to move away from the classic reception on your big day and want to offer a buffet, don’t miss these tips so that everything goes according to plan.
Success is guaranteed!
But first… What does a wedding with a buffet wedding reception look like?
A wedding buffet, like any buffet restaurant, consists of a service where guests will find a variety of dishes and food ready to be tasted, assembled and presented on large tables.
The main feature is that the guests will be able to serve themselves the dish they like the most, in the quantity and as many times as they want for the duration of the service.
This allows you to serve a wide variety of food, such as: salad bar, pasta, garnish bar, pizzas, seafood, meats, vegetarian dishes, and any other option you can think of. This way, you will be able to satisfy the tastes of all your guests.
Without a doubt, a unique and different experience!
And now, the best tips to succeed with your wedding buffet recpetion:
1. An option for weddings with few guests
One of the problems that can arise in a buffet is the constant movement of people, which can accumulate in the same corner. Therefore, if there are lots of guests at your wedding this can cause a problem, as there can be queues and bottlenecks to access the food.
An ideal number to avoid this happening is to have less than 100 guests at your wedding reception. Also, keep in mind that this style is unconventional for too many people, so we recommend considering this option for weddings with few guests.
2. Opt for a venue with enough space
The other great need when it comes to having a buffet is to have space, if you don’t have enough room it can be overwhelming. Having space, not only to access the food, but also to be able to talk to the bride and groom or the rest of the guests, is necessary to create the most comfortable atmosphere possible for everyone. And make sure there are enough food stations to speed up the time!
3. The presentation of dishes, also spacious
In addition, the presentation of the different dishes in the buffet should be spacious, so that access to the food is comfortable and the visual aspect of the preparations is not hidden among many options all together. The ideal is to create areas by type of food, so that guests will have an easier choice.
4. Food for all tastes!
One of the great advantages of a buffet is the great variety of dishes. It is important to have options for all tastes and to take into account food problems such as allergies or intolerances.
A salad bar, savoury dishes, sweet dishes, hot dishes, vegetarian options… You will satisfy everyone!
5. Count on trends for your buffet wedding reception
If having a wedding buffet doesn’t seem original enough, you can always give it your own personal touch by following the wedding reception trends of 2023.
For example, you can serve the food in something much more surprising such as food trucks or wooden trolleys. The contrast can be very striking, original and fun.
You can set up sushi bars, croquette or cheese corners, beer taps or surprise everyone with show cooking.
6. You must have waiters
Make sure you have an adequate number of staff for the number of guests attending the wedding.
Yes, even if the guests at a buffet are the same people who are going to be served their food, there may be several guests who are unable to get up to access the buffet, especially older people. Therefore, there must be staff to serve them at the table.
7. Always keep the food at the right temperature
Remember that the food is going to be on display all the time, which means that it can lose temperature and get cold or not stay warm, so our advice is that when you are organising your buffet wedding reception, talk to the catering company to make sure that the food stands will maintain their temperature. We don’t want the drinks to get hot or the food to get cold!
8. Take the season of the year into account
Depending on the month of the year or the season in which you are going to say “I do”, you will have to choose between different dishes. Therefore, it is usual to choose the coolest and lightest when the heat is on and the warmest and most consistent options in winter.
However, there are options that are equally valid all year round. This is the case, for example, of cheeses, Iberian ham, cured meats, croquettes, omelettes, rice dishes, seafood, sushi, drinks, desserts…
Before deciding on one or the other, check all your options with the catering service you have contracted. No one better than them will know how to guide you to find the perfect combination and make the right choice.
9. Specify what food is being served
Sometimes, the trays of a buffet present succulent dishes, but you can’t tell exactly what ingredients they are made of. Is it meat or fish? Are they vegetables? Ideally, put a small sign next to each dish specifying what it contains.
Also, indicate which dishes are specifically for lactose or gluten intolerant people, suitable for vegetarians, etc.
10. Seating is important
Even if your idea is to hold a buffet-style wedding reception in the style of a cocktail party, with high tables, and you think that your guests will prefer to stand, remember that a wedding reception lasts many hours.
Between courses, to the sound of the romantic wedding songs you have chosen for your big day, you will throw the bridal bouquet with calla lilies, speeches will be made and the various gifts for wedding guests will be handed out. It is therefore important to set up different areas where family and friends can sit quietly to eat and chat.
Combining different types of tables with chairs, stools and even a chill out area will create a very comfortable atmosphere for everyone.
11. Always measure the food on top
Yes, it is important that the food is always on top, so that all the guests have the opportunity to try a bit of everything and the plates don’t run out right away. But don’t worry! Because the catering and restaurant service will help you with this.
12. Don’t forget plan B
Buffet banquets are usually held outdoors to enjoy the scenery or the natural environment around you. However, weather conditions can be adverse on the big day, so you need to have a plan B to prevent your entire meal from being affected.
Make sure that the chosen venue has indoor halls with sufficient capacity to accommodate everyone or marquees large enough for everyone to move around freely.
13. Decoration is also necessary
Yes, special care must be taken in the choice of the different containers, playing with materials, textures, shapes and even colours.
Glass dishes, wooden trays, slate plates, metal casseroles, wicker or jute baskets…. The possibilities are many and varied.
Also, don’t forget to decorate the tables with plants, fresh flowers, candles, lights? The options are many and varied, so let your imagination run wild.
With these tips, you and your guests will only have to worry about enjoying yourselves. Do you need help with your wedding buffet banquet? Well, at Perfect Venue we look forward to helping you with the preparations.
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