One of the options for celebrating a modern wedding is a buffet. This is a mini-banquet, designed for a small number of people. You can organize a banquet 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 already a tradition, in Russia such innovation has just begun to appear. However, it is quickly becoming popular due to its many advantages.
- Wedding reception often do instead of a banquet, as it is quite short. In addition, it is practically not tiring for the newlyweds.
- This menu is much cheaper, because there are no hot dishes, there are only cold snacks.
- Many people like the fact that the guest should not be constantly near the table, but can move freely. This is convenient, because you can talk to a lot of people.
- This format suggests a more diverse menu. It includes a variety of snacks.
- If there is a toastmaster at the banquet, and guests are obliged to take part in different competitions, then at the reception each visitor is free to choose any occupation. In addition, you can choose any area for recreation.
- Part of this event can be live music. However, it should not be too loud - as a rule, it is just a background. Also worth buying a large number of candles and decorate the room.
- Buffet can be carried out on the street and indoors.
However, there are some shortcomings that can not be mentioned:
- the buffet does not serve hot dishes, so that many may remain dissatisfied;
- such an unconventional format confuses the older generation;
- the buffet is intended only for very small weddings.
However, all these minuses are insignificant.
It is worth remembering that a wedding with a buffet table is different from the usual mass festivities, and in fact many are accustomed to the fact that there are fun at such celebrations.
Therefore, you should not deprive this of your guests, you need to offer them an interesting alternative. For example, you can arrange drawing friendly cartoons. Such entertainment will appeal even to older people and perfectly lift your spirits. You can also invite a magician, artist, or any famous character.
Do not forget that on the buffet receptions entertainment should be more individual, that is, not intended for all guests, but for small groups. It is necessary to take into account other nuances.
- Consider the presence of shops or at least a couple of chairs, because guests may be tired and they will want to sit for a while.
- There should be a little more plates than guests, so that everyone can try a variety of dishes.
- You can still arrange a separate place for the newlyweds, so that they can retire a little and relax from the photo shoot and conversations.
- Tables must be arranged so that they can be approached from either side.
- Buffet 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 tables, as well as dishes that are on them.
Ideas for design
Reception is quite possible to hold immediately after the registrar. Everything can be organized with your own hands or entrusted to people who can arrange a beautiful celebration. There are quite a few ideas for registration, and everything depends on the wishes of the newlyweds or on the season.For example, you can hold a reception at the house of the bride or groom, in nature or even in a restaurant.
Outdoors
First you need to formalize the relationship, and only then proceed to the organization of the buffet. In the summer, you can make it an exit, in this case, all have to organize on the go. But this does not mean that the celebration will get chaotic.
It is enough to decorate the tables with suitable tablecloths, arrange pre-cooked food on them and decorate the space with the bride's favorite flowers.
Then even the usual 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 details: prepare a small shelter in case of bad weather, tables, benches or chairs. Still need beautiful dishes: large plates, forks, elegant wine glasses. A list of all appetizers and desserts should also be compiled. It necessarily includes fruits and various sweets.
It is necessary to think about what kind of music guests prefer, what entertainment program will be during the buffet.
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 at 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 the furniture, nor about any cutlery. Also, do not be afraid of bad weather. Everything is shifted to the shoulders of the restaurant owners and waiters.
However, in this case, you need to think about how the tables and chairs will be placed.
It is important that guests can approach them, and at the same time feel comfortable. It is better not to do a lot of complicated decorations on the table, but to decorate all with various snacks.
Houses
Many newlyweds hold a buffet table at home, especially if they have a small budget. But even such an event can be made quite fun and diverse. First you need to think about all sorts of contests, as well as music.
It is necessary to calculate in advance where it is better to place the tables in the apartment or house. It is important that the guests were comfortable to approach them. To do this, you need to remove excess furniture.
A place to entertain can be arranged in the room next door.
Particular attention should be paid to the 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. It is necessary to find a person who can become a leader at such an event and will follow everything.
Menu options
If we talk about the assortment of dishes that must be present at the buffet, then most of them are cold snacks. It is necessary to make dishes varied and beautiful. For example, you can put a lot of different salads, make canapes and small sandwiches.
But for guests who adhere to unconventional food, you can come up with a vegetarian menu, including more fresh salads, chickpea delicacies and all kinds of light sweets.
As an inspiration, cooks can use Georgian recipes. In this country, deliciously preparing pastila, sweets from dried fruits 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 sort of cold cuts or pastries. Experienced chefs 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 those who prefer the traditional menu.In this case, the classic recipes for home-made ham, hearty sandwiches with red fish or caviar and other high-calorie delicacies are useful. Such a 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, suitable snacks such as kebabs from mussels, chilled lobster or a fruit plate with fresh pineapples or mango. In addition, you can choose a Japanese theme, which has been in fashion for several years. Such a feast is easier to organize. Enough to hire a chef who will prepare delicious sushi, rolls and sashimi. You can even turn his activities into a show, giving guests the freshest delicacies. Such an unusual menu will definitely delight guests who are not accustomed to such exotic.
Table decoration examples
It is very important to properly decorate the table, because it is to him that the attention of all the guests will be riveted. There are many ways to do this with beautiful napkins, ribbons and various small things. In addition, it is possible to prepare aesthetically attractive compositions of fruit and sliced.
One of the most popular examples is the classic table setting.
A table with white tablecloths and discreet white bouquets looks strictly and at the same time attractive.
In the tone of the table you can pick up and snacks. Each serving should be designed so that it can be eaten in a couple of bites. Ideally, with this type of serving, it is worthwhile to divide the tables, putting 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 to hold such a celebration is a luxurious festive ceremony in a visiting ceremony.
To organize such a celebration, you need to stock up on beautiful bouquets of flowers that will easily fit into the forest atmosphere.
The tables are best arranged in the form of the letter D or C. It is recommended to arrange the dishes on exquisite metal stands, so it will be more convenient for guests to get food. Plates for guests should be placed on empty places. Visitors to the celebration will quickly disassemble them, and the vacant space will be functional.
Buffet 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 will not leave anyone disappointed.
About the features of the wedding reception, see the video below.
