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Which dinner service is right for your wedding? Weddings are typically the culmination of months of careful planning. After a couple has officially tied the knot, a celebration typically follows. Although music and mingling are integral to a wedding reception, the meal is often the central component of the party. Couples have options when choosing dinner service for their weddings, and some need not serve dinner at all. An early wedding may consist of a brunch or some passed appetizers, while some couples opt for a cocktail party in lieu of a dinner party. Still, some weddings feature only desserts. But guests attending more traditional weddings expect to dine at the receptions that follow such affairs. Buffet service and a sit-down dinner are the most popular choices for wedding meals, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the dinner service that works best for your wedding may involve a careful comparison of the various offerings and keeping your budget and guests’ comfort in mind.
Sit-down dinner A sit-down dinner consists of several courses of plated food served by a waitstaff. Guests never have to leave their seats, and sitdown service is usually in line with a formal reception. Some food offerings at sit-down dinners tend to be fancy and presented in a manner
that is appealing both to the eye and the palate. There are several advantages to sit-down meals. Guests can focus entirely on enjoying themselves and conversing with others rather than getting up to seek out food, and those with mobility issues do not have to worry about maneuvering to a buffet station or trying to balance food. Guests get top-notch treatment and will have a waitstaff
on call to fill their needs, which can make an affair more memorable for all in attendance. But sit-down dinners are typically more expensive as well. Guests are generally given several choices for the main course, and that could mean ordering extra food and preparing it to be ready for guests’ selections. Serving meals may take longer, and sometimes meals may not arrive hot to the table. Guests
may be limited to certain food choices, and portion sizes may not be what guests were hoping for. Sitting idle for a while can affect the mood of the reception and lead to boredom.
Buffet service A buffet-style dinner is served from a long dais table that holds several chafing dishes full of food.
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Wedding guests will rise from their seats and make their way to the buffet stations, where they’ll be able to serve themselves or be served by staff manning the stations. Buffets present an array of foods that cater to the various dietary needs of guests. Those at the reception can sample several different foods rather than be restricted to one main course. Guests can limit portion sizes or sometimes return for second helpings. Buffets are generally less formal and allow guests to mingle more readily. But buffet-style meals may produce long lines as guests pick and choose their meals. While experienced catering managers and reception site staff should have plans in place to create a free-flow of guests to the buffet stations, there will be a first and a last table called to eat, and guests on the tail end of the service may be stuck with whatever is left over if food is not adequately restocked. In an effort to accommodate everyone, extra food may be cooked for buffet-style dinners, which can be costly and wasteful. In addition, guests are asked to do more work, as they need to get up and retrieve their own food. A catering company or the banquet manager at a reception site can work with couples as they decide if a buffet or sit-down dinner is the best option for their wedding receptions.
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Wednesday, June 25, 2014 The Calvert Recorder Page B-11
Kids or no kids? Enjoy a wedding that works for you Weddings are a time for celebration and sharing good times. Some couples want to share their love and excitement with as many people as they can fit under one roof, while others may prefer a more intimate affair to enjoy with a select few. One difficult decision couples face when planning a wedding is whether or not to invite children to join in the festivities. Young guests can bring an energetic spark to the celebration, but kids unaccustomed to dressing up and enjoying a fancy night out may get swept away by the majesty of the night. Adult guests looking to have a good time may find it difficult to relax and let loose if they have to keep a constant eye on their children. The topic of children at weddings is a tricky subject. Family and friends may have strong opinions on either side of the debate. Ultimately, the couple needs to come to an agreement. Once a decision has been made, couples
can employ some strategies to make the wedding as enjoyable as possible for every age group.
No children Couples who decide to exclude kids from their guest lists should alert guests well in advance of the “no kids” edict. Be tactful when informing guests. If you are sending out save-the-date cards, include the phrase “Adults only, please” on the card. You also may want to include the information on a wedding website, where you’re afforded more space to explain your stance on young guests. When it comes to the wedding invitation, your indications should already be clear. However, you can reinforce that kids are not invited by addressing the invitations accordingly. Do not include the children’s names or “and family” on the envelope. Invitations should only feature the names of the people being invited. Be consistent if you do not want children at
the reception. It is not okay to allow one guest’s kids while excluding another’s. The only exception is children who are members of the wedding party. However, if you prefer a kid-free wedding, you may want to avoid a ring bearer and flower girl during the ceremony. Chances are word will spread that the wedding is not for child guests. If you do not want to handle inquiries, ask a member of the bridal party to answer any kid-related questions.
Children allowed Contrary to popular belief, children can be well-behaved at a wedding and add a youthful component to the celebration. Watching a child twirling on the dance floor or devouring a large piece of wedding cake can make a wedding day more special. Couples who invite kids should expect the unexpected from their youngest guests. Let the small things slide and speak with youngsters’ parents if any issues arise. Arrange for some activities to keep children entertained and out of trouble. Have the band or DJ incorporate some child-friendly dances
or activities. Designate a kids’ table and arrange some small toys or activity books. Be sure to choose some child-friendly foods during cocktail hour. Hungry children can be that much more fussy. Arrange a special menu with the catering manager and be clear about how many kids are invited. Usually kids’ dinners cost substantially less than adults’. Some reception sites may provide a separate room where children can gather. A television with a favorite movie may be all that’s necessary to pass the time. Hire a babysitter to stay with the children and give adults in the other room peace of mind.
Limited children You may want to include older children at the wedding but have younger ones stay home. As you would for a wedding without kids, spread the word that there is an age limit. On save-the-dates, request that “No children under age 12” attend the wedding. Be prepared for some opposition from guests whose kids fall under the age limit. Just be firm with your plans.
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Page B-12 The Calvert Recorder Wednesday, June 25, 2014
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Weddings are one-of-akind occasions. Weddings also tend to be stressful, even for the most laid-back people. But a honeymoon gives the couple a chance to enjoy uninterrupted moments together and serves as a way to recuperate from the months and sometimes years of wedding planning. Honeymoons are a beloved wedding tradition, and some couples even combine their weddings and honeymoons by opting for a destination wedding. Because the honeymoon should be a way to unwind, setting an itinerary should not add to the pressure of planning. The following tips should make planning a snap. • Research your destination. Learn all you can before booking your honeymoon. Study the weather for the time of year you will be on your honeymoon, and learn about
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ding gifts, return tuxedoes and tackle any other post-wedding tasks. Save the romantic “first night” as a couple for the honeymoon and enjoy a welldeserved night’s sleep. • Purchase travel insurance. One way to alleviate the stress of planning a wedding is to ensure your honeymoon investment is protected in the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Travel insurance is a safety net that can come in handy. Speak with a travel agent or insurance agent about how to secure travel insurance for the honeymoon. • Pack light. Don’t burden yourself down with a lot of belongings. Chances are you’ll pick up new things and mementos on the trip, and packing light makes traversing airports that much easier.
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