Source
r/weddingplanning•
Summie520

Opinions on meal options please!

Hi Weddit!

TL;DR: how many entree options are you offering for guests? How would you feel as a guest to only have a choice between chicken and vegetarian options?

Longer version - FH and I are torn between offering two buffet menus:

  1. starter salad, chicken, beef, and three veggie sides (one of which would be a veggie entree for vegetarians via portion size.)

  2. starter salad, chicken, veggie entree, and three veggie sides.

For context, much of our local crowd is vegetarian, but that accounts for a very small proportion of our overall guests. FH and I are not vegetarians, but we are not huge meat-eaters and would be totally happy offering more veggie friendly dishes than meat (and bonus, it's cheaper as well!). That said, we want to keep the guest experience in mind and definitely don't want our guests to feel limited by our offerings. It's worth noting that both menus sound delicious, filling, and are very creative (no plain steamed veggies!). We're not sharing our menu until the day-of, so I guess I'm worried that choosing between chicken and vegetarian options on face feels...boring or slight? Is it better hosting etiquette to provide at least two meat options and a veggie meal? Opinions please!

Posted Mar 23, 2018, 4:10 PM UTC

316
Beana001Chicago Burbs Sept 29, 2018•

Personally i think that for a buffet a chicken entree and a veggie entree is fine. Most buffet weddings i attend only have that - according to a friend the reason being that it typically prevents people from taking a chicken and a beef.

We personally are having 3 meal options ( beef, chicken, veggie) but also offering a vegan and kosher meal (as well as a chicken tenders kids meal) to those who need them only. But we are having a plated meal so there is less concern of someone trying to take some of everything (if they re like me and FH they can go splitzies on the entree (im getting chicken he is getting steak)

5
Summie520OP10.27.2018 | Richmond, VA•

Yeah that definitely makes sense - our veggie entree would be individual savory tarts, so I'd be worried that our chicken eaters might take them without realizing they were entrees. And YES- splitzies is the best part of plated meal options!

1
pamp_lacroixSeptember 7, 2019 | PDX•

Ok for context: I don't have many vegetarian friends, but I do live in a very veggie-friendly area of the US (Pacific NW). I would absolutely be 100% fine serving just chicken and veggie entree at my wedding, if both the options sounded good. Like even if you're not a vegetarian, there's no rule saying you MUST EAT MEAT at every meal. And there are so many veggie options that are decidedly NOT BORING. I would def eat one million portobello mushrooms in one sitting if they were available. Since you're saying the options are creative and filling, I don't think anyone would even blink at that.

5
Summie520OP10.27.2018 | Richmond, VA•

Thank you!! Yes, FH and I 100% share that mentality and don't think veggie options are boring or that meat options are necessary to have an excellent complete dinner! I'm mostly considering our out-of-town guests and families who are more traditional when it comes to meat-veggie-starch type meals.

1
WaitForItttttMay 2018 | NYC/NJ•

I would go with option one, but three is standard in my area (chicken, beef, fish, and silent veggie option). I'd be a little worried about limiting a meat option to chicken as it's something a lot of people can be picky about (how it's prepared and it is very easily ruined if it's too dry). A lot of people default to steak as a "safe" option (unless they're avoiding red meat).

Ultimately, people will deal with whatever options you choose and be grateful for a free meal, but I think offering two meats would definitely be appreciated.

3
Summie520OP10.27.2018 | Richmond, VA•

Ah okay, poultry preparation wasn't even something I considered! My caterer has amazing reviews so I'm not too worried about that (well I wasn't...haha), but guests feeling squeamish about poultry in general is definitely something to keep in mind. Thank you!!

1
kalichibunnyMarried!•

I've been to one and it was perfectly fine! The bride and groom were vegetarians, so we were lucky to get chicken at all. I knew in advance that there would "only" be chicken, but my husband did not. Not only did he not say, "Hey, why isn't there a beef option?!", I'm sure he wouldn't even remember now whether there was beef or not.

3
Summie520OP10.27.2018 | Richmond, VA•

Haha! Okay that's very comforting! This probably falls under one of those aspects of the wedding that no one will care about nearly as much as FH and I do! Thank you!

1
spokeshaves10. 7. 18 - North Carolina•

I would go with option 2!

3
WeddingCheers•

I'd be happy with a veggie or a chicken entree so an option of either is great to me! I'm sure others would enjoy a beef option, too. But really, chicken is pretty universal (not like seafood or pork that meat eaters might not eat).

3
Summie520OP10.27.2018 | Richmond, VA•

Okay cool. Yeah, that was our reasoning as well re: chicken. Thanks!!

2
catlover123456789•

If its a buffet, it always makes me happier seeing more choices!

However, I wouldnt be upset if I only saw chicken and veggie. How much does it affect your budget?

2
Summie520OP10.27.2018 | Richmond, VA•

Not much, but not insignificant. $2-3 per head. I think more of the hesitation is that we like the veggie entree (individual savory tarts) a bit more than the veggie/side (roasted root vegetable salad).

1
latche09.01.2018 PNW•

We are having a chicken entree, a vegetarian entree (ratatouille gnocchi), salad, a vegetable-based side, and bread. I don't think it's necessary to go crazy as long as the food is good!

2
weddingreview45•

I'd say it depends on what the veggie entree is.

1
Summie520OP10.27.2018 | Richmond, VA•

The side/entree for no. 1 is roasted root vegetable salad (parsnips, carrots, arugula, pear, toasted walnuts, herb provence and apple cider vinaigrette).

no. 2 is an individual broccoli, cauliflower and cheddar savory tart.

Whatcha think?

1