A Buffet Is Better...Or Is It?

Aside from the old cash vs. open bar debate, another thing that seems to get attention is the food. Whether it's for a wedding or any other type of event you are planning for guests. Some people think that it would be better if there was a buffet while others believe it would be better to have a plated meal. Some say offering different stations is where it's at. We're going to give you the skinny on these options and who they would work for you. There are things to consider with each option before deciding which is the way to go.

The Buffet

I believe this is the option that people lean toward the most. Whether it be for the ease of menu selection or cost effectiveness. This is the option where people leave their seat and serve themselves the meal. The plate could either be at their place setting or at the buffet itself.

Pros

• Multiple food selections can be offered
• Number of servers can be drastically reduced
• Very casual type of meal
• Aides the interaction of guests

Cons

• Unable to control food portions
• Long lines depending upon number of guests
• Additional costs depending on food volume
• Guests having to maneuver multiple plates

With buffets, you are able to have multiple choices, however, if they choices are too good, it may cost you additional money in the end if people decide to make multi trips to the buffet or grab bigger portions.

The Seated/Plated Dinner

This option can be utilized for different events as well. With this option guests stay seated as their meal is brought out to them. In this scenario, there could either be preset salads or desserts with this option.

Pros

• Adds a more formal element
• Does not require additional venue space
• Portion control
• Caterers know exactly how much to prepare

Cons

• Limits dinner choices
• More wait staff will be needed which could increase bill
• Serving multiple courses could take time more time

This option could be very cost effective for you considering that you could limit what you serve, however, be aware of how your cost may increase due to the need of added staff to make sure your dinner is served efficiently.

Food Stations

Food stations have been used, although I don't believe they've been done quite as often as the above two choices. With stations, you are offering buffet elements without it being a "traditional" buffet style.

Pros

• Offers a variety of selections
• Eliminates line congestion
• Items can be grouped together
• Food themes can be easily organized

Cons

• Requires more venue space
• The amount of food can become expensive
• More chefs or staff will be needed to man the stations
• People may favor more options over others

This option can be used if you'd like to do a buffet style, but want to have more order to the chaos. It also can provide a hint of a more elegant feel that you may get with a plated dinner. With this, you also need to watch your cost.

Each option provides both pros and cons so when it's time to pick your menu, make sure you speak in depth with your cater so you will know what exactly will fit into your budget. It's their job to make the presentation look like how you want and that the food tastes great for your guests.

Grooms Actually Do Care

Most times when the question is asked about the wedding process, the topic of the groom comes up. I can't begin to tell you the number of times I've heard a bride say 'Oh he doesn't really care.' or 'He just wants to know what time to be there.' What this implies is that he really doesn't care about anything going on during the planning process because it is always seen as "it's the bride's day". In all actuality though, that's not necessarily true. There are elements of the wedding that most grooms tend to have a strong opinion about (aside from how much all this stuff is going to cost). Below is a list of things that you'll want to make sure you include your groom in when making your decisions. After all it's not just the bride's day, but a day for the both of you.

The Honeymoon

This aspect of the wedding the groom will want full control. I'm almost sure of it because this gives them to plan their dream vacation (or close to it). This will be days of relaxation that will serve as his reward for enduring all the months before (let's be real). Of course it also to enjoy all the alone time with is new bride that he wants to. This is one area he has so brides don't worry about it and leave him to it.

The Registry

What man would pass up going to a department store and shooting a bunch of items with a gun? This aspect of the planning will also bring your groom out with no hesitation. It gives him the opportunity to try obtain all the little gadgets that he's had is heart set on, but really didn't want to buy personally. It is advised that when you do your registry and you select all the things you think you'd want for your home and not just the usual sheets, towels, dishes, kitchen items, etc. You fiancé may have his eye on a new grill or maybe even a TV for the basement. If he can get away with putting on there, it will be on there. He will be a full participant in this area you can count on it. Side note, with most registries, the items that don't get picked up by your guests can be bought by you at a discounted rate, so put that Dyson on there because you know those jokers are expensive!

Tuxedos and Such

This is another area that you probably won't get your man to budge much on. More times than not, he will already have an idea of what he and his boys will wear that day. The only thing he will want to know from you is what color to get the ties and vests in. I'm sure he would be open to suggestions about what you envision them wearing, however, I seriously doubt you will be able to pick it out. You'll just have to go with the flow on this one. This is where you have to trust his judgment because I'm sure he wants his guys to look just as good as he know you and your ladies will.

Food and Beverage

As they say, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach and on his wedding day, he's going to make sure he has some good food to put in it. Any food and beverage tastings you and your planner have mapped out, make sure you include your fiancé because he will definitely want to be a part of those. After all, it is his guests that will be eating along with yours and he wants to make sure the choices will be acceptable. If you are planning to have a signature drink, he will want to make sure it tastes just right and most definitely, he will want to be a part of picking your wedding cake.

Above are just a few of areas in your wedding planning that you should consider your fiancé and his opinion in your big day. Even though he might not say it's important, or event shrug it off as it being your thing, just know that he really does care and wants his elements displayed on your big day just like you do. You are about to enter into a union that is all about compromise and making decisions together. What better way to start down that path than by you make a conscious effort to include your honey? Trust me when I tell you, he will appreciate it and will thank you.

Can You Set The Table Please?

That is a question that has been asked over and over by our parents growing up I’m sure. We all have learned the basics of fork on the left, knife on the right. However, when coordinating events, it goes so much deeper than that. This is one detail that should not be overlooked. There is an art to setting the table. It is a small detail, but it’s the small details that people will take notice of. There are slight variations between setting a casual dinner table and a formal dinner table, the main difference being the number of dishes. As you plan your party for the holidays, using the tips from our previous post, keep these things in mind as you prepare for your guests.

1. Before you begin setting out the dinnerware, first things first. Drape a freshly laundered and ironed tablecloth over the table. A white tablecloth is the most classic choice for formal tables.

2. Arrange the centerpieces on the tables. The general rule of thumb for centerpieces is that you need one centerpiece per round or square table and multiple centerpieces evenly spaced along each rectangular table. Centerpieces should not be so tall that your guests cannot see over them.

3. Place a dinner plate or charger on the table in front of each chair. Dinner plates should be set approximately two inches from the edge of the table.

4. Space the flatware about one-half inch from the plate and two inches from the edge of the table.

5. On the right side of the plate, place up to three knives -- for first course, main course and salad -- with blades facing inward, followed to the right by the soup spoon. On the left side of the plate, place up to three forks -- for first course, main course and salad -- the salad fork being furthest left. At the top of the plate, place the dessert spoon with the stem end to the right and the dessert fork above it with the stem end on the left.

6. Place the salad plate to the left of the dinner plate, above the forks.

7. Place bread plate on the right side of the dinner plate, above the knife setting, left of the glassware and higher than the salad plate. If there's no salad course, place the bread plate on the left side, above the fork setting. Place the butter knife across the bread plate.

8. If there is a soup course, place the soup bowl on top of the dinner plate.

9. Place the stemware above the knives in the following order from left to right: water glass, white wine glass, red wine glass and champagne flute.

10. Place a coffee cup and saucer to the right of the knives and spoon on the right side of the saucer.

A Bar Without Liquor...Say What?

When deciding to have a bar at your wedding, most people think in the traditional sense of beer, wine, mixed drinks, if you want to offer them, and a possible signature drink (see our post on those HERE). What some couples don't realize is that there are other types of bars that you can have at your reception. Below are some ideas for other bars you can have and they are all pretty sweet.

The Candy Bar

This bar is the most popular one of the bunch. With this one, you can be as creative as you want to be. Maybe you want your candy to reflect your wedding colors, or maybe you want to take people on a trip from the past and have the candy that you grew up on and loved as a child or you can just have one big chocolate fest. Couples will use this bar as part of their cocktail hour or they can have people wait and have it with their cake and during the dance party. The set up for this is super easy and be really cost effective if you look for sale items and order wholesale.

S'mores Bar

This one could be quite fun. You can make this as big or as small as you would like. The main question I'm sure is, how would you roast the marshmallows? So glad you asked and the answer is to get you a pack of Sterno burners and problem solved. Those are the silver containers that you usually see when you go to an event and they have a buffet line. You will want to get the gel ones because they provide a bigger flame.

With these babies, you can have your very own indoor campfire. You can position them and add some decoration to the area where you place them. Then you get your graham crackers and bars of chocolate.

Popcorn Bar

No who doesn't need a little popcorn in your life? This one can be pretty easy to set up just like with the candy bar. The setup would basically be the same and again, could be really cost effective. With a popcorn bar, you can pick so many flavors that you can share with your guests. You can do that famous Garrett's Chicago mix, for find you some that has a little chocolate on it.

The Mini Food Bar

Now this one isn't a part of the sweet variety. It can be safe to say that your wedding reception is going to be filled with fun, dancing and just a great big party for about 4 hours. After all of this, you may want to offer your guests a little to go snack so these may be what you need. Your guests would be surprised to go to the back of the room and see little sliders or little things of tomato soup and grilled cheese as they are walking out the door. You can add a little spin to your event and feed a little after party hunger.

Hopefully, we have given you some ideas as to different ways that you can make your reception fit your personalities. You don't always have to go with traditional things and you can step it up and provide something that people will remember about your special day.

The Turkey Alternative

With Thanksgiving coming up in 8 days (man, where'd the time go) I am sure that you are already starting to plan out your menu. Traditionally speaking, it starts with a big turkey, plus all the fixins'. One question that may come up is, "Do we have to have a turkey?" I know this is a question that my family has asked at one point.  One reason why this question may come up is that soon after Thanksgiving comes Christmas and most times the same dinner is served once again right down to the turkey. So for those of you looking to try something a little different, I think the below 4 choices that I have found could be substituted in for those who want to save turkey for your Christmas holiday.

Cornish Game Hen

This is something that my family as used as a substitute for turkey. Cornish game hens are basically chickens that are not full grown. They are smaller in size and weigh no more than 2 pounds. These hens do not take as long as turkeys and can also be roasted in the oven. They have a good flavor to them and when cooked right, can easily fall off the bone. For one turkey you purchase, you could easily purchase 5 or 6 game hens to feed your family because of their small size.

                                             

                              

Lamb Chops

Lamb is usually associated with the Easter holiday, however, it can be used as an alternative to having turkey meat. Lamb is surprisingly a very tender type of meat and can be cooked on the grill as well as roasted in your oven. When purchasing them the come with usually 4 in a package. The price point for these

could possibly be on the high side if you figure you'd like everyone to have 2 chops a person, but if you are not expecting a lot of people at your dinner, you may try this option out. 

                               

                              


Grilled, Fried or Baked Fish

If want to go a totally different direction all together, why not have a good ol' fish fry and throw some fillets on the grill?  This is the time where you can get creative and maybe try a new type of fish or go for what you know. Whether it be catfish or salmon, you can use the Thanksgiving holiday too work your seafood magic and reserve the turkey for a later date.

                            

                            
                            

Let's Do Italian

If you are trying to get away from all things traditional (for me it'd be sweet potatoes, dressing, mac and cheese..ooo we!) then maybe you should try all thing Italy. Perhaps a good lasagna would be just what you need. It can be meaty or of the vegetarian variety.  Maybe you want to try a new chicken parmesan recipe. Whichever element you choice it is a great alternative.

                                     

Of course there are a host of other options out there to choose from. These are just something to help get your ideas going. I would love to hear what you're thinking about cooking for Thanksgiving. If you want, leave a comment below.