Wedding Tip Wednesday.

Common Misconceptions

Congratulations on your upcoming Wedding! We know that this time in your life is exciting and fun, and can also be over-whelming. The experts at Noah’s wanted to share just a few  “Common Misconceptions” with you that exist in the Wedding planning world, in an attempt to make things easier for you!

Misconception #1: Serving your guests “heavy” hors d’oeuvres will be less expensive than a meal.

This is your day, so it’s up to you what kind of food you would like to serve your guests. Some Brides & Grooms have a more casual setting that may include hors d’oeuvres and cake, while others have a more formal setting that includes a full meal. Keep in mind that a good portion of your budget will be spent on food, as it is not cheap! Many people think that by just having heavy hors d’oeuvres, during a meal time, will be the least expensive route. If you are having your event catered, I can assure you this is not the case! Have you ever stopped to think about how time consuming it is to stuff each of those mushroom caps? Or how long it takes to hollow out that cucumber to fill with that homemade hummus? Having hundreds of bite sized snacks for your guests can take just as much time for the caterer to prepare as a full meal.  

Noah’s tip: Compare pricing with local caterers to see what, if any, savings there may be one way or the other. If you want all finger foods, go for it! It’s your day. If you are really concerned about saving money when it comes to food, consider having a restaurant cater the food, and have family members help clear plates to save money on staffing costs through the caterer.

Misconception #2: Assigned seating is not necessary for the reception.

Wedding guests are there to enjoy your special day, and rather than having to do any thinking, we recommend you do it for them!  Guiding your guests on where to sit makes things flow more smoothly for your reception. There are several ways to accomplish an organized seating flow, and they don’t need to take much of your time planning! Obviously, the most important people on your big day are the Bride & Groom, Wedding Party members and family of the Bride & Groom at the very least, it’s important to designate seats/tables for these special guests. We have seen it happen where no seating was reserved at all in the room, and when the Wedding Party and Family returned from photos after the ceremony, they had no where to sit! If there are any family/friend situations you would like to avoid by having them sit on opposite sides of the room, assigned tables are a great way to go. This simply involves you labeling each table with a number or the name of your favorite cities, etc… then you create a list that includes all guest names, and the table they are assigned to. This ensures those special Wedding party members and family members are taken care of, and gives you the ability to make sure your college friends sit together,divorced parents are separated, and so on. It is worth the small amount of time it takes to ensure everyone has a place to sit! One other word of advice… have a few extra seats or a table for those guests who “forgot” to respond.

Noah’s tip: If you are going to take the time to assign seating make the table numbering fun by coming up with something special to the two of you! Some examples are to use the names of vacation spots you have been together, or instead of using numbers 1-20, choose numbers that have special meanings such as anniversary dates, first dates, ages, etc…

Misconception #3: A Plated Meal is Better vs. A Buffet Meal is Better.

The good news is, people love to eat. So, both options are great for your guests! Which route you choose will depend on your budget, style of the Wedding, and personal preference. Depending on the venue and/or the caterer you are working with, some charge more for plated meals, while some charge more for buffets.  So here are some pros and cons of each for you to consider…

Plated Meal Pros:

-Your guests don’t have to do any work! They can sit and visit with surrounding guests, while enjoying their meal.

-There is no standing in line to get food.

Plated Meal Cons:

-Having this level of service will involve more staff members provided by your caterer. More staff = more service charge to cover their hourly rate!

-You have to pre-select which meals you will offer, and have your guests include their choice on the rsvp card. THEN you have to find a way to designate what each person has ordered by providing a place card with his or her name and meal choice.

Buffet Meal Pros:

-Your guests can select which items they choose and the quantity of each. Often this encourages people to try new things.

-You don’t have to worry about having your guests select their meal months before the Wedding.

Buffet Meal Cons:

-Since your guests have fairly unlimited access to fill their plates, the caterer will have to provide more food. This can be a reason why a buffet may cost more.

-Guests will have to stand in line to get their food. Try to minimize their wait time by having a friend/family member or DJ release tables one at a time.

You should choose whichever option feels right for your event!

Noah’s tip: Talk to your caterer about what they recommend and the cost for both options.