How does it work-- guests ordering their meal choices AT the reception?

Question

Does this take extra time? Obviously menus would have to be placed at every place setting, but when exactly does the ordering happen? And does it create an extra wait for the guests' meals, or does the kitchen just have X amount of each choice ready to go in the back?

Answer 1

I have never seen this; generally you order on your RSVP card or there is no choice.



Personally, I did not have a choice on the cards for my guests. The food was served 'family style' and included chicken and beef; there was enough for each person at the table, with refills as needed.

Answer 2

I have actually never been to an event where the menu choices were listed on the RSVP and you had to choose when you sent in your response.



Ordinarily when guests are seated, there is already a plated first course like a small salad. After it seems the guests are all seated, waiters go around to each table taking the dinner orders--they will always explain the choices even if there is a menu in front of guests. During this time, guests are not only eating this first course but usually something is going on--presentation of the bridal party, dances, etc... Once the orders are taken, they are then filled. The kitchen has a guesstimate of how may be needed of each order and will start preparing it all.

Answer 3

I don't think it would work well at all to have guests order at the reception. You have a few options:



1. Have a buffet with a couple different entree options

2. Have guests specify which entree they would like when they RSVP

3. Only have one option for dinner



If you don't know how much of each dish you will need, the caterers will need to prepare 2 dishes for every person or some people may not get what they want. So you will be paying for twice as much food as people will be attending. Or, if the caterer or kitchen would be preparing them as the orders come in, that will take forever!!

Answer 4

usually the meals are pre ordered., the easiest way to do this is to include a 'menu' in your invite, with the options on (usually 2 or 3 choices, a meat, a fish and a veggie) then the people will tick what they want and send it with their rsvp, easily done and kills 2 birds with one stone.



then usually hw the venue do it is after you have confirmed your meal choices to the venue and final numbers (1 week prior) they always cook a few extra just in case of any problems so if anyone REALLY wanted to change their options there is leverage to do so.



the venue usually work a system before hand for you to add to the placecards (for example red means meat, yellow fish and green veg, and a similar system for the starters and desserts) so each placecard will have a small coloured dot on the back (done by you or a helper haha delegate where possible), so something like purple, red, orange would mean 'this person would like ceaser salad for starter, beef wellington for main, and orange cheesecake for dessert (totally made up but hey! you get my drift) then the waiters make a note of these before the guests arrive so they know that table 6 wants 4 meat, 3 fish and 2 veggie, then they cook! saves lots of time so all the meals can be brought out at the same time and everyone shud be happy (afterall they picked their choices haha)



hope i helped you make it a bit easier!

Answer 5

It definitely takes time because the servers have to go to each guest.

I'd imagine that the reception hall has X number already prepared and just needs to deliver the plate to the guest that has requested it.



I attended a wedding like this and the server explained each entree option, there were no menus. It sucked to be the person after me because I have alot of food allergies and had to ask a zillion questions about how each dish was prepared so I made sure to choose something that didn't cause a reaction for me (getting carted out via ambulance would have sucked more than having to wait to order -- but its a pain)

Answer 6

It does create a wait. However, you could have two or three selections and have the RSVP card ask which of these they would like to have. That way you will have a pretty close number. Preparing meals takes time... and you'd need a full service kitchen with a lot of chefs to cook for so many people at once!! Do a buffet with a few choices. Save money and time!

Answer 7

I have been to a wedding where this was done and it was brilliant. There were menus showing three choices for each course and a waiter for each table so all the orders were placed simultaneously. I don't suppose it is any more complicated for the kitchen than a restaurant. There was no delay in service.

Answer 8

The meals are pre-oredered and the catering company has the exact location of the people as seating must be assigned. You will send the RSVP with the meal option sthat you selected from the cetering comapny and the guests will return RSVP's with their choice of meal marked. After all RSVP have been turned in, you give the head count to the cetring company along with the seating arrangements.



good luck

Answer 9

I have NEVER seen this done. This would only be acceptable if you are having a very, very small guest list and going to a restaurant after. When I say small, I mean 15-20 people.



If you are having more...YES, this would be a problem and I can't really think that any venue would let you do that! They need to pre-order food. Check with your venue if this is an option, but again, I have never heard of it.

Answer 10

I have never heard of this. Usually the meals are preordered on the RSVP card when you send the invitations.