Community Forum

ArubaBride52111 · 09-16-2010, 06:07 PM

We are getting married at the Radisson in May and trying to decide whether to go with a buffet or plated dinner entrees for our reception. Any advice?

Also does anyone have any florist recommendations? I have mostly only read negative reviews

Thanks!!

*Arubalisa* · 09-16-2010, 06:12 PM

Is your reception on the pool deck?

Flowers can be an issue, all flowers have to be imported. Imo rely on your wedding planner.

ArubaBride52111 · 09-16-2010, 06:18 PM

Our reception will be on the pool deck.

Good to know that all flowers are imported! I will try to avoid choosing anything too delicate

*Arubalisa* · 09-16-2010, 07:12 PM

I am always in favor of sit down meals, if only for convenience.
That was my reason for asking about the pool deck. Grass and high heels do not mix.

High heels and the pool deck will be just fine.

There is another notion that some people "think" that by serving a buffet dinner you are "cheap". HOWEVER, I would allow the Radisson's food speak for itself. The have an awesome buffet menu. I can see how it could be a tough decision.

To be perfectly honest, I would go with whichever best fits your budget and maybe splurge on another event for your guest with the savings. Either way I do not think you can go wrong.

oneeyejack · 09-17-2010, 10:19 AM

we had the aruban style buffet at our wedding at the radisson and it was AMAZING!!!!! seriously, one of the best buffets i've had for a wedding and i'm not being biased. our guests loved it and they were full. usually, when i go to weddings, i feel like the plated courses aren't that great and you don't always get full but the buffet had soooo much food.

let me know if you have any questions and i can try to answer them for you.

Karen Lutzker · 09-17-2010, 04:27 PM

From my experience if you have a large group over 50 persons a buffet dinner makes a lot of sense! Sit down dinners for a larger group can take a while until everyone is served. Of course sit down dinners are more formal and elegant, whereas a buffet dinner gives the guests a chance to mingle and eat at their own pace. For smaller groups, most certainly go with a sit down dinner.

superyooch · 09-20-2010, 04:42 PM

I think it depends on the "feel" you want for your wedding. Buffet is more casual and sit down is more formal in my opinion. We had a buffet menu when we got married at the Renaissance. We had a guest count of about 85 and wanted everyone to eat when they wanted to, dance when they wanted to, etc. The only thing I would make sure of is if you have a large number of guests, to request the hotel to set up 2 buffet stations so the lines can move faster.

I'm sure it will be great no matter what! I absolutely loved our wedding.

Sheree10 · 09-20-2010, 06:32 PM

We had a buffet and I'm so glad we did it that way. Our guests had so many food options and everyone was happy. We didn't have to worry about menu selections.

Sheree10 · 09-20-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superyooch

I think it depends on the "feel" you want for your wedding. Buffet is more casual and sit down is more formal in my opinion. We had a buffet menu when we got married at the Renaissance. We had a guest count of about 85 and wanted everyone to eat when they wanted to, dance when they wanted to, etc. The only thing I would make sure of is if you have a large number of guests, to request the hotel to set up 2 buffet stations so the lines can move faster.

I'm sure it will be great no matter what! I absolutely loved our wedding.

Superyooh...........Congrats!! So happy to hear your wedding was great. Hope you will share a review and pics.

ArubaBride52111 · 09-21-2010, 09:57 AM

Thanks for all of the great advice so far! At the Radisson they require at least 50 guests for a buffet menu, and I think we will have right around 50- but possibly less. The wedding is still 8 months away, so we won't know the actual guest count until it gets much closer. Maybe the decision will be made for us if we don't have 50

I originally wanted a sit-down dinner b/c it is more formal, but I am now seeing a few advantages to a buffet. I think it will give our guests a wider variety of food options and move the dinner portion along a little bit faster. We want to be sure there will be plenty of time to party

09-16-2010, 06:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
ArubaBride52111 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 8 Images: 13	opinions on buffet vs plated dinner We are getting married at the Radisson in May and trying to decide whether to go with a buffet or plated dinner entrees for our reception. Any advice? Also does anyone have any florist recommendations? I have mostly only read negative reviews Thanks!! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

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09-16-2010, 06:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,684 Images: 174	Is your reception on the pool deck? Flowers can be an issue, all flowers have to be imported. Imo rely on your wedding planner. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba

09-16-2010, 06:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
ArubaBride52111 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 8 Images: 13	Our reception will be on the pool deck. Good to know that all flowers are imported! I will try to avoid choosing anything too delicate Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

09-16-2010, 07:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,684 Images: 174	I am always in favor of sit down meals, if only for convenience. That was my reason for asking about the pool deck. Grass and high heels do not mix. High heels and the pool deck will be just fine. There is another notion that some people "think" that by serving a buffet dinner you are "cheap". HOWEVER, I would allow the Radisson's food speak for itself. The have an awesome buffet menu. I can see how it could be a tough decision. To be perfectly honest, I would go with whichever best fits your budget and maybe splurge on another event for your guest with the savings. Either way I do not think you can go wrong. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba

09-17-2010, 10:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
oneeyejack Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 33	we had the aruban style buffet at our wedding at the radisson and it was AMAZING!!!!! seriously, one of the best buffets i've had for a wedding and i'm not being biased. our guests loved it and they were full. usually, when i go to weddings, i feel like the plated courses aren't that great and you don't always get full but the buffet had soooo much food. let me know if you have any questions and i can try to answer them for you. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Pictures of our Wedding Radisson Wedding Experience & Review

09-17-2010, 04:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
Karen Lutzker Banned Join Date: May 2007 Location: The beaches and the sea Posts: 381 Images: 9	Buffet vs sitdown dinner From my experience if you have a large group over 50 persons a buffet dinner makes a lot of sense! Sit down dinners for a larger group can take a while until everyone is served. Of course sit down dinners are more formal and elegant, whereas a buffet dinner gives the guests a chance to mingle and eat at their own pace. For smaller groups, most certainly go with a sit down dinner. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

09-20-2010, 04:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
superyooch Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 29	I think it depends on the "feel" you want for your wedding. Buffet is more casual and sit down is more formal in my opinion. We had a buffet menu when we got married at the Renaissance. We had a guest count of about 85 and wanted everyone to eat when they wanted to, dance when they wanted to, etc. The only thing I would make sure of is if you have a large number of guests, to request the hotel to set up 2 buffet stations so the lines can move faster. I'm sure it will be great no matter what! I absolutely loved our wedding. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

09-20-2010, 06:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
Sheree10 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 81	We had a buffet and I'm so glad we did it that way. Our guests had so many food options and everyone was happy. We didn't have to worry about menu selections. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________

09-21-2010, 09:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
ArubaBride52111 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 8 Images: 13	Thanks for all of the great advice so far! At the Radisson they require at least 50 guests for a buffet menu, and I think we will have right around 50- but possibly less. The wedding is still 8 months away, so we won't know the actual guest count until it gets much closer. Maybe the decision will be made for us if we don't have 50 I originally wanted a sit-down dinner b/c it is more formal, but I am now seeing a few advantages to a buffet. I think it will give our guests a wider variety of food options and move the dinner portion along a little bit faster. We want to be sure there will be plenty of time to party Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook