Buffet Line Order....

[WhiskeyGirl]

I don't know what to call this but I'm hoping by explaining myself, people will be able to understand just what it is that I mean!

What I am wondering is if anyone knows of any good ways to let tables know when they can proceed to the buffet tables to get their food? Any good games or ways that people can recommend? We were just at my cousin's wedding in June and they told everyone that there was a number under a cloth in the center of each table telling you what number you were to go and get supper! The only problem....our table didn't have a number!! Lol, a little screw up there. My thing is that I would like to do something fun but have no idea how to do it or what to do...any suggestion would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

~CanadianBride~

[lacey_8_99]

All weddings I have been to have just had the DJ announce when to go up. Usually it's bride/groom and BP first, unless they are being served...then immediate family and then by tables.
I'm not sure how crazy I would get with the games, a lot of times the guests are already getting antsy and ready to eat b/c they have been waiting for the bride and groom to finish with pictures.

[wedbyjean]

The bride and groom, the bridal party and the parents' tables are the first to go through the line. To avoid the long line of people, have the catering staff release each table, (the dj or someone else can let guests know to wait until someone releases them -- there will still be a few "jumpers" :? ).

Whether to have a game to release guests depends on the formality and "feel" of the event. If a game too casual for a more formal event, skip it.

Guests WILL get antsy waiting for their turn, regardless of the method used. Avoid this by having enough lines (a double sided buffet table really helps -- more than one table if it's a large number of guests).

Since you asked for game ideas, an easy one is to pull table numbers out of a hat.

Jean Neuhart
Weddings From The Heart

[LaceyinPgh]

Just make sure that you and your husband (he will officially be your husband then) get up there first. It is the only way you are going to get to eat. You paid for all that food, enjoy it.

[smweddings]

At some of the weddings I've done, the caterer serves the Bride and Groom and sometimes the Bridal Party...even though it is a buffet dinner. They just prepare a plate for each of them with samplings of everything. After all the picture taking, their feet need the rest! This cuts down some on the number of people in the buffet line.

If the caterer doesn't do this, I do it as part of my services for the Bride and Groom only. If you don't have a bridal consultant or the caterer won't do it, you can always have a trusted family member do it for you.

Take a load off! It's your day! :)

[sstark1218]

I really like that idea. I am gonna have to check with my caterer to see if they will do that. We won't be having too big of a reception, but this is still something that I was wondering about in the back of my head. Thanks for the info, ladies!

[WhiskeyGirl]

I know that the entire Bridal Party gets to go first, then the Reserved tables so thats taken care of....No need to remind me of that, I'll be the first one there with two plates of food for myself...lol. (Only kidding) I was wondering if anyone has any good suggestions on how we should allow people to eat. If they get antsy, so be it! But, I'd really like to mix things up a bit so that the people who came in and grabbed the tables closest to the head table don't think that they will be the first to eat. We've thought about drawing numbers, we've thought about doing a game, but I was just wondering if anyone has some suggestions as to any games they have seen done at weddings. I like to have fun with these things even though our wedding is a fairly formal affair...I think for my mom's side of the family who aren't usually used to going to weddings like ours, it will relieve them to be able to relax and be themselves! So any suggestions? Hmmm....maybe I should google this....lol.

~CanadianBride~

[LaceyinPgh]

Start with the table furthest away from the buffet and move forward. This is goo dto because people won't be bumping into the closer tables as they leave the buffet while those people are eating.

[Jenn060306]

At my sister in laws wedding each table had to a sing song with the word 'Love' in it. The best table went first then the second best etc... It was alot of fun, and got the guests involved in the wedding.
Another idea is to do a little bride and groom trivia. The table with the most right answers gets to go first.
Good luck!

[neeni13]

May I suggest a questionaire while they wait to be called? Like how much you know the couple much like shower games but try for some unusual fun facts about the two like "ticket while driving w/ spouse in the car" , "what movie makes the guy cry"