One of the options for celebrating a modern wedding is a buffet table. This is a mini-banquet for a small number of people. You can organize a buffet in different ways, it all depends on the preferences of the bride and groom.
Pros and cons of the buffet
If in European countries a buffet table at a wedding is a tradition, then in Russia such an innovation has only just begun to appear. However, it is quickly becoming popular due to its many advantages.
- A wedding reception is often done instead of a banquet, since it is very short. In addition, it is practically not tiring for the newlyweds.
- Such a menu is much cheaper, because it does not have hot dishes, there are only cold snacks.
- Many people like the fact that the guest does not have to be constantly near the table, but can move freely. This is convenient, because you can talk with a lot of people.
- This format involves a more diverse menu. It includes a lot of different snacks.
- If there is a toastmaster at the banquet, and guests are required to take part in various competitions, then at the buffet table each visitor is free to choose any activity. In addition, you can choose any area for relaxation.
- Part of such an event can be live music. However, it should not be too loud - as a rule, this is just the background. It is also worth buying a large number of candles and decorate the room.
- Reception can be held both on the street and indoors.
However, there are some disadvantages that cannot be ignored:
- hot meals are not served at the buffet, so many may remain dissatisfied;
- such an unconventional format confuses the older generation;
- the reception is intended only for very small weddings.
However, all these disadvantages are insignificant.
It is worth remembering that a wedding with a buffet table differs from the usual mass festivities, and after all, many are accustomed to the fact that entertainment is always present at such celebrations.
Therefore, do not deprive your guests of this, you need to offer them an interesting alternative. For example, you can arrange drawing friendly cartoons. Such entertainment will appeal to even older people and will perfectly cheer up. You can also invite a magician, artist, or some famous character.
Do not forget that at the receptions the entertainment should be more individual, that is, intended not for all guests, but for small groups. It is necessary to take into account other nuances.
- Consider having benches or at least a couple of chairs, because guests may be tired and they will want to sit down for a while.
- There should be a little more plates than guests so that everyone can try a variety of dishes.
- You can still equip a separate place for the newlyweds so that they can be a little secluded and take a break from the photo shoot and conversations.
- Tables must be arranged so that they can be approached from either side.
- The buffet reception is designed for a short period of time. Most often, it takes 3 hours, and food should be enough for all this time.
- Of particular importance is the design of the tables, as well as the dishes located on them.
Design Ideas
Reception is quite possible to hold immediately after the registry office. Everything can be organized with your own hands or entrusted to people who can arrange a beautiful celebration. There are quite a lot of ideas for registration, and it all depends on the wishes of the newlyweds or on the time of year. For example, you can have a buffet at home with the bride or groom, outdoors or even in a restaurant.
Outdoors
To begin with, it is necessary to formally formalize the relationship, and only after that proceed with the organization of a buffet. In the summer, you can make it an outing, in which case everything will have to be organized on the go. But this does not mean that the triumph will turn out to be chaotic.
It is enough to decorate the tables with suitable tablecloths, place pre-cooked food on them and decorate the space with the bride's favorite colors.
Then even a familiar park will turn into a magical place for a dream wedding.
In addition, you can decorate everything with your own hands. To do this, you will need to carefully consider any little things: prepare a small canopy in case of bad weather, tables, benches or chairs. You will also need beautiful dishes: large plates, forks, elegant wine glasses. A list of all snacks and desserts should be made. It necessarily includes fruits and various sweets.
We need to think about what kind of music guests prefer, what kind of entertainment program will be during the buffet table.
You also need to tastefully decorate yourself or with the help of others the place where this event will be held.
In the restaurant
Making a small buffet in a restaurant is one of the easiest ways to hold such an event. This option is good because you do not need to think about furniture or about any cutlery. Also, do not be afraid of bad weather. Everything is passed on to the shoulders of the restaurant owners and waiters.
However, in this case, you need to think about how tables and chairs will be placed.
It is important that guests can approach them, and at the same time feel comfortable. It’s better not to make a lot of complicated decorations on the table, but to decorate everything with a variety of snacks.
At home
Many newlyweds have a buffet at home, especially if they have a small budget. But even such an event can be made quite fun and varied. First you need to think about all kinds of contests, as well as music.
It is necessary to calculate in advance where it is better to place tables in the apartment or house. It is important that guests are comfortable with them. To get this, you need to remove the excess furniture.
A place for entertainment can be arranged in the room which is located nearby.
Particular attention should be paid to table setting: it is better to choose the same plates, napkins should also be from the same set. Tables should be covered with tablecloths; it does not look as cheap as oilcloth.
You also need to decorate the apartment itself. Everywhere you can put flowers, hang balloons, draw posters. Be sure to find someone who can become a leader at such an event and will follow everything.
Menu options
If we talk about the assortment of dishes that should be present at the buffet, then most of them are cold snacks. Make the dishes varied and beautiful. For example, you can put a lot of different salads, make canapes and small sandwiches.
But for guests who follow an unconventional diet, you can come up with a vegetarian menu, including even more fresh salads, goodies from chickpeas and all kinds of light sweets.
As an inspiration, cooks can use Georgian recipes. In this country, deliciously prepared pastille, dried fruit candies and churchkhela.
It is also recommended to take care of the young ladies who are watching their figure. The buffet table is, first of all, light and beautiful dishes. Therefore, it is not necessary to surprise guests with some cold cuts or pastries. Experienced culinary specialists always offer their guests original fruit and vegetable compositions.
You can diversify such a menu with a cheese plate, olives, unusual cocktails that do not harm the figure at all.
But there are also couples who prefer a traditional menu. In this case, classic homemade boiled pork recipes, hearty sandwiches with red fish or caviar and other high-calorie goodies will come in handy. This menu will definitely appeal to both the male half of the guests and the older generation.
If the wedding is held in some exotic style, then the menu should correspond to the general mood of the celebration.
In this case, snacks such as mussel skewers, chilled lobsters or a fruit plate with fresh pineapples or mangoes are suitable. In addition, you can choose the Japanese theme, which has been in fashion for several years. Such a feast is easier to organize. It is enough to hire a cook who will prepare delicious sushi, rolls and sashimi. You can even turn his activity into a show, serving guests the freshest delicacies. Such an unusual menu will surely delight guests who are not used to such exotics.
Table decoration examples
It is very important to correctly decorate the table, because it is to him that the attention of all guests will be riveted. There are many ways to do this with beautiful napkins, ribbons and various little things. In addition, aesthetically attractive fruit and sliced compositions can be prepared.
One of the most popular examples is classic serving.
A table with white tablecloths and restrained white bouquets looks strictly and at the same time attractive.
You can also pick up snacks to match the table. Each serving should be designed so that it can be eaten in a couple of bites. Ideally, with this serving option, it is worth dividing the tables by displaying hot snacks on one, sweets on the other, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on the third. This option is suitable even for a large event.
Another great option for holding such a celebration is a luxurious visiting ceremony in a fabulous style.
To organize such a celebration, you need to stock up with beautiful bouquets of flowers that easily fit into the forest atmosphere.
Tables are best arranged in the form of the letter G or Sh. Dishes are recommended to be placed on exquisite metal supports, so it will be more convenient for guests to get food. Plates for guests should be placed in empty places. Visitors to the celebration will quickly disassemble them, and the vacated space will be functional.
Reception is a great alternative to the usual wedding celebration. It is perfect for organizing summer and spring weddings. Such a short but memorable holiday will cheer up the bride and guests, and certainly will not leave anyone disappointed.
About the features of the buffet reception, see the video below.
