WEDDING CATERING: The Styles, The Pros + The Cons

[@JewelBlueIbanez]

One way to save money on your reception and food/server costs is to look into a trade school/community college that has a culinary program. My community college had a very well respected culinary program and hosted huge fundraising dinners, wedding receptions, etc, but saved a lot of on labour costs because the food was prepared by students under the strict supervision of professionals, and the servers were trained student volunteers who got work experience, volunteer hours and a free restaurant quality steak dinner.

[@lindseyyarbrough9467]

I NEEDED this tip! Thank you!

[@heaterdawg]

I know that this comment was made two years ago, but thank you for the tip! Fantastic advice ⭐️

[@katepurkeypyle2221]

Currently rewatching this again 20 minutes before meeting with a caterer,Jamie your a lifesaver!

[@jamie3197]

Absolutely seconding the point of TELL YOUR GUESTS IF YOU INTEND ON DOING AN APPETISER ONLY RECEPTION. My partner and I recently attended a wedding where no one was informed before hand, and it was only brought up in passing in one of the speeches on the night. Because we expected a regular dinner at the reception we, and many other guests, who had to travel up to 3 hours to attend didn't eat before hand. So while we did all eventually get filled up on appetiser, there were a lot of disgruntled guests in the first few hours. Some were even considering ducking out quickly to Maccas or getting UberEats sent to the parking lot.

[@IrishTwinMaker]

We are doing DIY buffet. Me, my dad, and my brother are making chicken fettuccine alfredo and freezing it. The night before, we will thaw it out. We are hiring 3 of the seniors at the high school who need prom money ($100 a piece) for the day of the wedding, to heat up the food, boil the noodles, and get it into the pans and keep the buffet full. We are also making garlic bread and caesar salad and will put out platters of fruit, veggies, cheese and crackers. Everyone can serve themselves whenever they want after the speeches. Lol We are also having a dessert table with homemade cookies, brownies, rice crispies, and donuts since a lot of people don't go for the cake.

[@nancy3939]

Hiring high school seniors is such a cute idea!!!

[@meowwwwwwwwmoooowwwwwwmeoo1162]

underpaying them? not cool

[@IrishTwinMaker]

@@meowwwwwwwwmoooowwwwwwmeoo1162 $100 for one day of work is more than a lot of adults make in a day and they don't have to pay taxes. Get out of here.

[@meowwwwwwwwmoooowwwwwwmeoo1162]

@@IrishTwinMaker girl not in this economy… and it’s not their fault that adults don’t make that much it’s the governments. why do you care that they don’t have to pay taxes 💀 you should be more worried about billionaires not paying taxes than literal children. bootlicker

[@IrishTwinMaker]

@@meowwwwwwwwmoooowwwwwwmeoo1162 economy was looking pretty good under the Trump administration back in 2019 when the wedding happened. Bye, socialist. Lol

[@ilovefefi]

Girl your videos are not long, they’re educational, I don’t think anyone’s complaining. I love your channel btw! My wedding is on October of this year!!!

[@ginahessel5991]

Haha you're hilarious...with the "congrats for making it this far" it could have been an hour and I still would NOT have lost interest. You're so well spoken, concise and I get SO excited everytime you post something new - ALWAYS super helpful :) Thanks for taking the time to record and edit these!!

[@ashleyoverholt449]

If your having a wedding buffet, it might be best if you had to buffet table, on each sides of the room. With the same food on it, and also having severs, as well, and it would go quicker.

[@megaamold9597]

LOVE this video! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise, as an event server (off site, golf club and hotel) for 11 years folks don’t realize the work that goes into the food, and why it’s so expensive! It’s so hard to serve in a timely manner if the bridal party is running behind. We want guests to enjoy their meal and have a great time! At inclusive event centers, the servers are often setting up the room too (and cutting your cake, and sharing their aux cord when the groom forgets it, getting your intoxicated guests into cabs, playing defense when you’re overbearing Aunt wants to change the layout...) great event staff are hard to find, but worth more than diamonds ❤️

[@annakirshenbaum1458]

In Israel we do a combo - first part is a cocktail style, manned stations with appetizers, then ceremony, then a tradirional plated dinner.

[@jazziered142]

My two favorite weddings were serve yourself buffet-style. The food was amazing both times.

[@OurKindofCrazy]

Yes! That's what we did because we love that style ourselves!

[@christiannewennink666]

On a completely unrelated note: Do you have any advice on what should go in a bride's overnight bag? (Provided the bride doesn't forget it, haha.) I am totally worried about overpacking!

[@bi3105]

Can you do a video about all things wedding rehearsal dinners?

[@whitneystephens6717]

Yes! Good idea!

[@melissamoeller6823]

Please do this video. We will have international and out of state guests. Thanks 🙏🏻 Your videos are amazing.

[@eca1996]

I saw that it was about food and clicked so fast. Been a long 2 weeks without your videos.

[@thoughtfulsamosa6037]

Here I am, years away from getting married, and binging your videos 😂😂😂

[@eleanorflett266]

We are having Family Style for ours. I fell in love with the idea of sharing and passing food along the table. In Australia we call 'Cake and Appetizers', a Cocktail wedding and I have been to at least 2 of them. One did also have a giant grazing table as well, so that defiantly helped 🙂

[@ptc726c2]

Plated dinners are not always more expensive than buffets.. This is coming from a catering manager at a luxury hotel - you can actually save money on a dinner by going with a chicken entree and vegetarian entree plated dinner because they are cheaper than the per person buffet dinner price. With buffets, the hotel would still staff clearers/bussers and food replenishers. Buffets do not always reduce the amount of servers and therefore save lots of money. At least in the hotel space it depends on the menu! Dinner buffets were $60++ per person. A 3 course plated dinner with vegie entree was $52++ and a chicken entree was $58++.

[@JB.2414]

In these types of videos you should add what you did for your wedding, your experience, and mention if you would change it knowing what you know now :)

[@esavage0703]

I’m just starting to wedding plan and your videos are seriously saving me! I think I’ve watched them all at least 3 times each. I was so lost before I found you. Thank you!

[@zelriakinder8943]

Lol, my fiance and I were in the middle of a conversation about catering when this video's notification popped up on my phone. Thanks so much. We needed to hear all of this. :-)

[@Alex-bq7qm]

Hell yeah, I never thought that portion size could be a problem but I experienced it. At a wedding we had a small cup of broth as a starter (broth, Flädlesuppe, not soup is pretty common in southern Germany), a child’s fist-sized piece of meat with three tiny potatoes and two sticks of asparagus and as dessert a small kiwi-sized parfait. We were still hungry by the end of the dinner. Please don’t let your guests starve!

[@SDWits]

Great video! Can you make a video on the ins and outs of having a small (25 people or less) private dinner room wedding reception? I would like a more intimate setting with the people I care most about, rather then a big reception that I get anxiety from. Plus my guy and I don't care about having a DJ or dancing or alcohol aside from beer and wine. It's been difficult to find videos on this and I'm curious to know what to consider and if it's less or more costly. If I go through with a small wedding + reception dinner, my idea is to have a relaxed backyard party the next day to celebrate with a bigger group of people.

[@pamelaflynn1129]

That's a great idea! May I suggest when locating & booking a restaurant or venue don't mention it's a wedding reception. Find a location with a separate room and depending on the day of the week and time of day, costs can vary greatly. Some restaurants will allow your guests to select from a few types of entrees for a fixed price per person or order anything off the menu. It depends on your budget. Some will let you bring in an "occasion" cake to cut. Or you can order a whole cake dessert from the venue. It's all up to you two. Good luck!

[@dirtyoranges]

Sarah Girosky I’m actually in the process of booking my reception at a local high end restaurant. They are known for hosting receptions (some ceremonies!) and I thought it would help with minimizing the guest list, as well as keeping it intimate and care free. I too would love to see more information about small reception venues!

[@joyces.9021]

Hey Jamie, can you do a video on fun family-friendly activities for outdoor weddings? Besides dancing?

[@hannahgresham1318]

I agree with Joyce. I'm planning a wedding and inviting my family that doesn't dance for religious reasons so I'm at a loss for what to do besides dancing and without having a 20 minute food only reception.

[@ViolettaGrosheva3000]

Yess please please do a video on non-alcoholic non-dancing activities and games 😭

[@heatherfaust7643]

Cornhole!

[@emmapuckett1029]

I'm having a summer outdoor wedding with no dance floor or DJ! I'm going to have plenty of games for people: cornhole, giant jenga (which will double as our guest book!), giant tic tac toe, croquet, and any other lawn games I can find/come up with. However I'd love to see a video on this as well!

[@joyces.9021]

@@emmapuckett1029 wow tell me more about the giant Jenga!

[@eclipseshadowyt5917]

Idk if any other people do this but in my culture when theres left overs we always give party food to go at the end of the day. So yeah not worried about having tons of left over

[@kyahgrigolon6724]

I'm getting three food trucks, but they will only have one/two mini-meal options each (so they can bulk make food, not wait for orders), and be manned by an external server to keep it flowing. Allowing all guests to get food from each food truck if they want - in a cafeteria style line flowing around all three. Hopefully it works! Thank you for your videos, they have saved me through many a stressful wedding planning moment!

[@LuceWithLove]

People in the US be choosing between a sit down meal and buffet while in Czech Republic, where I'm getting married, guests expect a sit-down lunch, an afternoon barbecue, snack bars all day and a buffet dinner 🙃 RIP our budget

[@777malmo]

I love how I watch this even though I already know that family style is what I'm going for.

[@777malmo]

Oh noooo! It's not very popular but idk why because it's less servers, just bringing bowls to each table. You can pick your portions for yourself but each table gets a set amount so no one can go overboard. Good for people with allergies (if I get a plated meal, as a vegan I can have the milk-filled mashed potatoes, but in family style, I can just double up on green beans to keep full). And the most interactive!

[@iluvzevon]

Hahaha this is totally me!! Already knew I was doing family style but I still watched this.

[@Abmarp]

Mallory Fraser right! That's what I'm doing too!!!

[@sc8532]

Or a taco man!! That’s what I’m doing for my wedding who doesn’t love tacos !

[@caitlindouglas4778]

Love your videos! It’d be awesome if you could discuss the topic of actually choosing wedding planners as how the process works!

[@TheIrishOne95]

I want to do appetizers and cake at my wedding. While both my fiancé and I love food, we also have a small budget to work with. I think having appetizers will be cool because it allows for variety. I loved this video as always! Thanks for all the amazing tips!!

[@janalyntuazon-king8205]

TheIrishOne95 Girl, I would love to know more about what you’re planning for your reception with appetizers. ‘y fiance and I hired a chef who is providing us with 1 dessert option, 4 canapes, and 1 salad option. My mom is going to be making a few Filipino-style appetizers as well (spring rolls and meat medallions). I was also thinking of including a couple fruit and vegetable trays... How many options do you think you’ll offer?

[@TheIrishOne95]

Janalyn Tuazon I haven’t gotten that far with details, but I do want to offer quite a few options. Some I may have made by friends and family, but I also might hire a vendor to take care of most of it

[@TheTechnogirl22]

I just got engaged and we have reserved a venue for next year, so needless to say I love that I found your channel to keep me calm and figure out what I need to do! 😁💙

[@777malmo]

I went to a potluck wedding once and lemme tell you, that shot in the dark was a complete miss. Someone ordered pizza because there wasn't enough food!

[@Kitty-hn6nr]

Yeah same kinda thing happened at the potluck wedding reception I went to. Except no one actually ordered pizza lol.

[@azhrayharris8]

Really? Most of the weddings I've been to have been potluck style and we always have more than enough food. But that's probably because of the community I live in is REALLY into potlucks lol

[@nikkivandervelde7629]

You're always so informative and packed full of info and tips! Thanks for another helpful video Jamie 😊

[@meganwetherbee4944]

Oh my goodness I was a guest at a self serve buffet style wedding (it was pasta), I was at the last table to go up to get food and there was nothing left! I had a plate of cold Alfredo sauce with no noodles for dinner 😭

[@T.Pink.]

Megan Wetherbee That's what we're concerned about, with our daughters upcoming wedding. There will be a huge dessert table & I can see people loading up their plates... leaving guests at the tail end of the line with very few choices. Decisions...🤔

[@meganwetherbee4944]

@@T.Pink. I am having a dessert table too. The bakery suggested having cute signage to indicate how many pieces each person could take. I'm not planning to do it (I have so many signs already!) but maybe it would be an option for your daughter! We're also having a sheet cake in the back that catering is passing out so there will be at least one sweet thing for everyone!

[@T.Pink.]

Megan Wetherbee Good ideas! Thank you! I'm thinking that we may not set every dessert out at the beginning, but instead will set more out as the guests continue through the line. Best wishes to you for a wonderful wedding!

[@lbfaith]

I would probably combine cafe style buffet style initially and self serve if they’re still hungry for seconds. May combine that with the stations. Cold station for salads (not sure if I’d do same time as dinner or as an appetizer) pasta station and the main station for meat and sides. You gave me a lot of great ideas to do this

[@ekatlaterrible]

Can you please do a video on the self-serve buffet style and the best way to set it up, great vegan + non-vegan options, buffet table hacks... Like I'm thinking if the table isn't fully against a wall, to have people going on both sides of it to serve themselves and prevent hold-ups, is that a thing?

[@megaamold9597]

General buffet guidelines are; -Plates -Cold items (salads) -Hot items (with the expensive or least amount of protein in the back) -Fixings for the food -Dessert unless you want to put that on a separate table -Utensils if they aren’t already at the tables 100+ people: 2 buffet lines, open on both sides so guests can serve themselves from both sides, it usually goes pretty quick and keeps the food hot. Putting a buffet along the wall only works if you have about 75 people and aren’t feeding everyone at the same time. You’ll need someone to release tables, otherwise guests get antsy. Comes in handy to have a great DJ who has a game to preoccupy guests. A lot of guests will rush the buffet or come back for 2nds before everyone else has gone through. However it is a budget friendly route.

[@real_marklar169]

I am doing apps. We get 4 so i picked salad, toasted raviolis, guacamole and salsa with chips, pulled pork sliders. Also having cheese cake bites and lemon bars for dessert. I feel like everyone will be ok with this since its morning noonish wedding. Told my guests about it. Seems ok. But man I'm saving so much money lol

[@bmcdonald7303]

This sounds amazing. I’d prefer this too

[@PartsUnknownn]

Yes long video but packed with great info ! Thank you!

[@angiekelley9038]

Thank you so much for your channel. You're really helping me to weaponize my autism so that I know I'll when I get married.

[@Sky-Child]

Love it, weaponized autism. That's what we are doing too. Organized as hell

[@chloegilroy8422]

Married now and still love watching your videos!

[@lifewithtrenel]

I started watching this video thinking for sure that I want a plated dinner reception, however, cafeteria buffet and stations also now sound appealing. In my experience attending weddings, plated dinner are never very satisfying but we eat it because we have to lol the best part is that it doesn’t distract from the program which if the program is packed with acts would be a huge benefit. However, if I’m going to pay for food for my guests, I feel guests should enjoy it so cafeteria style may be best. Stations also seem cool simply because most venues near me serve Italian food and my family and my fiancé’s are Caribbean and I want Caribbean food at my wedding. I’m not sure how to deal with this but stations may be it. The best mix that I’ve seen at a wedding was for the cocktail hour, there was a self serve buffet of appetizers and a few entre items and then later in there was a plated dinner. Most people did not eat their dinner though because they were full from the cocktail hour

[@kimberlymasaya2927]

i’ve been binge watching your videos for the passed two days. i’m not even planning a wedding. i’m planning a sweet 16. but yktv

[@chakishajohnson6921]

Jamie, you really know your stuff! Thanks for sharing it😊

[@gatzwolffadventures]

I had plans to mix and match styles. Passed apps, app stations, carve station, plated dinner, buffet style grab and sit dessert passed champagne for toasts.

[@pearlvillanueva1519]

Hi Jamie! new here in your channel... downloaded the wedding timeline as well! Amazing! the wedding email is very helpful! finding you is very timely 10-11 months before our small wedding in Italy (45-50 guests)... still checking all your videos... destination wedding is challenging but it'll be worth it!

[@HaleighMcintyre]

Hi from Brisbane Australia! :D I LOVE your videos!! Every person I know who is wedding planning I have been like, “OMG YOU HAVE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS GIRL!!! She’s amazing!” My friends love your videos aswell!! And I’ve told everyone to make sure they watch all the way through the ads and NOT skip them aswell!! 😂 Thanks for all the help! You are amazing! xxx

[@audrey1053]

*I'm doing an appetizer only catering, but as a complete and large meal.* *Firstly because our venue mainly does this type of events.* *But also, because I think finger food is just so delicious. F that dry chicken served an hour late.*

[@jimsvideos7201]

Happy new year! Your video process has become more polished as you've gone along but the wisdom in them was there from the start.

[@jimsvideos7201]

@@JamieWolfer Any time!

[@TheMissbreazy]

I love the cake and app idea! I don't want everyone coming to my ceremony but inviting more people to the actual wedding and I might even do it on a separate day. So I feel like this is a cute idea

[@TheMissbreazy]

@@JamieWolfer a little bit of anxiety I really want my wedding reception to be just people that I know aren't going to judge me. But I also want a big party and enjoy my wedding. Partly because it's not so much all eyes on you the entire time another party is about you and your partner. It's more about having fun and enjoying the night. I thought this would be a good way of doing it.

[@madisenkahlee]

Something to note that I wasn't aware of with catering buffet style! Bring containers for the extra food, you paid for it! I didn't know this, so we didn't get to bring any of our food home!

[@MsCachichurri]

madisenkahlee here un Germany, or at least in my location you can’t take the leftovers because of “safety reasons” 😩🙄. They don’t want to be sued for food poisoning or something like that, not knowing if it was the food you ate at the location or if something happened when you took the food home.

[@heatherfaust7643]

My caterer doesn’t allow us to take any leftovers... which I didn’t know until reading the fine print. I wanted to donate all the uneaten food to a nearby food kitchen but it all has to go in the trash just in case someone gets sick eating it. It really sucks.

[@heatherfaust7643]

mx.vane not just Germany. Some caterers in the US have that rule too

[@jencasey316]

Our caterer automatically boxes up all our leftovers and immediately refrigerates them for us so that there isnt a safety issue. They dont want to throw things away so we get to take it home!

[@heatherfaust7643]

@@jencasey316 The catering company I worked for would do that. It was great because WE got to take leftovers home too which helped feed me for like 3 days lol.

[@Jemgirl152]

I asked my caterer if we could pick any headcount for the appetizers...saved me 900 dollars in the end!

[@carolcallen4059]

Could you do a video about appetizers? Of course, everyone has different tastes but I'd be curious to know, in your experience, what gets eaten and what doesn't. Thanks.

[@elingershaked]

In my sister's wedding, she didn't have any of these options. The guests brought food, and she had servers to serve everything and clean the tables

[@haileylang9386]

That’s plated dinner

[@AestheticallyCoutured]

Please tell me why farm tables are pricey sheesh besides all my quotes I'm getting are ridiculous can you do a video on how to know what's a fair price for rentals thanks

[@julijanakizivat2666]

You left out the best option - every table gets its own bowl of soup and large plates with several meat and side options, bread and salad and you choose what you want to eat with no fuss or line forming.

[@vidincrisis]

Literally never been to any thing other than buffet for weddings. With the way Indian weddings are, nothing else would even work hahah

[@beckyparker2863]

Love your videos! Can you do a video on outside wedding during summer tips? Can’t wait for more content!

[@ashleys4584]

Do you have a video on how you got into wedding planning??

[@jencasey316]

Our tasting is tomorrow! We already took the caterer's advice of doing buffet because it was cheaper than family style but people still could try all the entrees if they want them. We dont have a lot of choices - 3 entrees but just one set of sides that goes with all of them and a plated soup course when they arrive (cause winter wedding and soup is superior to salad)

[@nicolefrey4322]

I was wondering where you're located out of? If a couple is having a wedding in a city they don't live in, do they hire a wedding planner at home or one in that city? I could see pros of having someone at home to consult with in person more regularly but a planner in that city would know the ins & outs of vendors there? I love all of your content!

[@keonkart]

So inspired, thanks for sharing . . It's recomended for me, For weddingers community . . .

[@franciscolara3949]

Good morning, Jamie Wolfer I follow you from Minnesota, very good videos.

[@toocutenoirb.4278]

At my dads wedding he had a self service buffet. We had waaaaaayyyy too much food after and opted for the nice fake plates that can be thrown away. But um we did it at a family member home since they have a nice sized property. I mean everyone just threw their plates way in the trash. I would hope guest would be as kind to not to be too messy. but a wedding will mostly military means everything ran like clockwork lmao. But your video has me thinking about it cause now i think i want sever just in case cause my guest will be much younger.

[@meilsfeels]

Hello! I forget where you work/live, but I’ve always thought your videos on catering are super interesting. I’m from Alabama and live in Mississippi, and the only catering style I’ve EVER experienced at a wedding (with the exception of one self-serve buffet style) is cake/desserts and appetizers! Never had a sit down and never been served in any way at a wedding. I wonder if this is just a southern thing, perhaps? You’ve said it’s super uncommon in your experience, so I just wanted to see if it’s a regional difference!

[@lauraerwin471]

Meils I would love a wedding like that it’s totally a southern thing my dad is from Florida and suggested just cake and appetizers

[@sarahobrien997]

For my sister's wedding she did heavy hor d'oeuvres, but according to her it's really normal for weddings in New Orleans (which is where it was held). I think she told those not from New Orleans that's what was going to happen.

[@23kensie]

Finally the wait is over!

[@DarkNekoCrochet]

I am that confused person at Starbucks 🤣

[@ashleyoverholt449]

I would love to see, the family style video, as well.

[@peruviansinger11]

Hey Jamie! Can you talk about lgbt wedding and things gay couple might need to think about that are different from traditional weddings?

[@MKP131]

Yes, I agree with Joyce, I want ideas for entertainment for a family who doesn’t really dance! My dad even was relieved when my sister opted to not do a father/daughter dance. It’s just not something I see a lot of my friends and family getting into, they’re just older or feel awkward dancing. But I don’t know how to make it a “fun” wedding if there’s no dancing - usually that’s the only part of a wedding people associate with being fun

[@Abmarp]

Mare Kirk have activities and games. Like a family event. No one gets bored at these.

[@pamelaflynn1129]

Building on Ann's comment and depending on your guests you can have a "Newlywed Game" with 3-4 couples who have been married a variety of years. This involves a lot of pre-planning but fun. I did that as the main activity for a co-ed wedding shower. You can do the Shoe Game, where the groom & bride are asked questions and they raise the shoe corresponding to the answer. The couple sits back to back so they can't see. There are videos on YT and websites with sample questions. If it's an outside event, you could have garden games (i.e. cornhole, horse shoes, etc.) If you're really non-traditional, you could bring in a comedian, a cartoonist, or a ventriloquist. Or have a casino night. It really all depends on what you and your guests consider fun. Good luck!

[@T.Pink.]

Mare Kirk All of the other ideas are great! A photo booth is also something fun for guests to participate in.

[@alexxwalton31]

Jamie, what do you suggest to do as far as catering 55 people for under 700$? I am so stressed out about it now!

[@92jaxs]

My mom, mil, and aunt are going to make meat with rice, beans, and tortillas 3 trays of each. Our waiters are going to serve them

[@alohilanizapata53]

I'm so glad I came across your channel! I love watching you and getting all this info, for some reason my wedding is one thing I really want to be prepared for and already have kind of planned out... my bf and I are slowly getting more serious and the topic of marriage/proposal has come up a few times- actually even since the beginning, lol, and recently I've had the wedding bug, I've been all over KZbin and Pintrest. I'm not gonna have a PLANNER, however I hope to find a coordinator as great as you are as a planner/coordinator.

[@DarkNekoCrochet]

I’m that person at Starbucks 🤣

[@tamnvfree4752]

So, so many questions. Having 2pm wedding in a church, with reception to follow in church building. 150 guests. Just planning a cake and punch reception, but figure we out to have some appetizers. How many types of appetizers do we need to have? How many per person? What is approximate cost per person? I know caters are going to ask what’s the budget, but I don’t know what’s reasonable.

[@alysonrus8711]

Hi Jamie; I have watched most of your videos; you ROCK! My fiancé and I are considering August/September 2021 for our wedding but have not set our date yet. Anywho, for our reception we're (also) strongly considering to have a potluck-style meal with immediate family including my 2 brothers, his 3 sisters, my parents and daughters, and nieces and nephews (youngest being 13 at that time). What are your thoughts on this idea? He is of Jamaican background and my family and I are of French Canadian background so are thinking will make for a very interesting variety of food. We would very much appreciate your idea/feedback on this. And I forgot to mention that the rest of our guests will be invited to our dance for the evening.

[@OurKindofCrazy]

That sounds like such a fun idea. If it works for you, it's a perfect idea!

[@courtneyalicia9832]

So I won't be getting married for awhile but my fiance have decided that we both want a pretty small ceremony but the reception to be a party. I think I want to have the reception in a national park with close friends and family and then get a venue for the reception but I feel that is so uncommon that I have no idea how to go about it! Love your videos and definitely think we will have a week of or day of coordinator since this process seems very overwhelming lol

[@paperplates8164]

Any tips for planning a reception at a restaurant?

[@MsRebeca4]

Thank you very informative

[@ryerye5697]

Hey Jaimie!!! Could you help the DIY brides out with providing details about how to obtain catering licenses?? I am a phenomenal cook with 2.5 years to plan a wedding. I really want to create most of the food/entrees a few days before instead of spending thousands on catering

[@Megan43210]

Can you do a wedding snack bar video?

[@whitneystephens6717]

Hey Jamie! I'm doing stations (some chef-attended) but do you also suggest doing a menu sign or cards? How do the guests know about all the offerings or where they are located in the room without walking around to look at them all first?

[@T.Pink.]

Whitney Lessem Our DJ made the announcement. Ours was a buffet, so when it was time to eat, he gave directions & dismissed 2-3 tables at a time.

[@Rdrobertson99]

We are planning to do stations at ours... any suggestions?

[@whitneystephens6717]

@@Rdrobertson99 so ours ended up being in line with the buffet so it was pretty simple. But I definitely wasted time on the menu cards at each setting since everyone went straight into the buffet line before sitting down at their table. My dinner area was separate from the cocktail hour so it would work differently if those were in the same space and people found their seat before dinner.

[@preondagraham1788]

Doing a plated dinner, you have to do a seating chart . I don’t have time for that

[@mixxedchic7947]

Always refreshing...

[@reginanicole3057]

I’m dying to know what my guests can do after the ceremony, but before the reception if I’m not having a cocktail hour! I’m not sure what to fill that space with 😭

[@savedbygracevlogs5994]

Regina Nicole I haven’t been to many weddings I my time but my friend’s wedding was like this. The area where the ceremony was held was cleared out and set up for the reception. All the guests filed into a separate room. There they had some snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Everything was self served. There was a little bit of seating for guests to sit. They also had smaller tables with pictures of the couple. At these small tables they had postcards and pens. These were there for guests to write notes for the couple. It was mainly a time for guests to mingle and get a few refreshments while the bridal party took photos and the reception area was prepared.

[@AlexsandraScarp]

Regina Nicole get some games and a table with cheeses, super easy to set up and cost effective. We are having corn hole and big Jenga

[@billhansen9029]

Jamie How many guests would you recommend per buffet line?

[@haiphu6584]

I love your videos! You were talking about food trucks and I was trying to find the link to it but couldn’t ever find it. Can you please send it over?

[@TearitoffE]

Have you ever seen the secret garden in Dubai?

[@BasicallyLauralol]

Food is cheaper than servers. So I guess self serve it is.

[@MacChic]

Can you post about some of your favorite venues in SoCal?? I’m planning from Texas but having such a hard time

[@ChristineWoodington]

Please a video on invite alternatives, or on wedding websites to help save with RSVP and invites :D

[@rissarankin6518]

I wish I could do food trucks. My venue only has three catering options (all run by the same company)

[@tabithalymburner3909]

Love your video thanks so much!

[@lydiacheek]

I don’t think I’ve ever been at a wedding where it wasn’t table service. At my job unless you have specific dietary requests or requirements everyone eats the same thing. Most people do not have an issue with eating what they are given. If you’re providing a free meal for people they don’t have much room to complain about it

[@lauraerwin471]

Would it be awful to pick picnic sandwich boxes they are around $8 come with a sandwich chips and fruit and they’d just pick up the option of sandwich they’d like and have a lot of desserts and appetizers

[@Molochai]

You do you! I think that would be cool for a casual, relaxed wedding.

[@citlali333]

Ok, sushi is great, but would the majority of people really choose the sushi over burritos? Have you tried burritos?

[@Okkkkkkk-ol5kz]

citlali333 id choose sushi cuz like damn sushi is expensive and I’m gonna eat that for free at this wedding hell yea

[@FauxPunkkFatigue]

"social meeds" hahha i love youuuu

[@JenniMoore]

Can you talk about Family Style catering?

[@waverlywilliams521]

Oh well 😅 I’m just having chicken beast, Mac and cheese, baby carrots, salad and rolls. That’s it. If you don’t like it then I’m sorry! It’s to crazy expensive to have 3 different meats.

[@TheLovelypecan]

Thanks for your videos

[@preondagraham1788]

What about cocktail hours or snacks before dinner