to not have special kids food at a wedding?

[ikeaismylocal]

We are getting married next week, it only just came to my attention that people sometimes have a specific part of the buffet dedicated to "kids food" a friend of mine who is extremely limited in what he eats said "don't worry about doing something special for me I'll just take some food from the kids food section".

We weren't planning on having any "kids food" despite having 20 guests who are children, we have a toddler and he just eats normal food, it didn't really occur to me that there needed to be special kids food, there will be quite a selection of food including some quite plain options like pie and bread/crackers and cheeses.

Aibu to provide the same food for everyone? If we should provide food specifically for the kids what should it be?

[grannytomine]

MrsWinnibago I do agree, I'm afraid my children would have been told to make the best of what they had, or shared some of mine, pretty poor lesson to give children that you stamp your feet and get something else.

[grannytomine]

My DD hated plain food when she was little, still does for that matter, so I don't think all the plain food for children will suit everyone. Being small doesn't mean it has to be bland food.

[MyFairyKing]

I don't think YABU as you're providing crackers and cheese etc but on the other hand, I've never been to function where there wasn't a separate version of the menu for children.

[ElephantsNeverForgive]

Baguette and ham, would delight my fusspot (unless it's insanely strong adult ham, which is unwise as my parents and DSIS wouldn't eat that either)

Simply having a bowl with a few apples and bananas may be a life saver for a poor hassled Mum.

The trouble with buffettes is some modern caterers seem totally petrified of providing anything plain simple and recognisable. All salads must be dressed, sandwiches all have complex mixed fillings and various plates of unrecognizable indian party bits, that may or may not be spiced. Interesting at a interview lunch where you don't want to suddenly bite into something too hot or that you don't like.

[SqueakySqueak]

Unless it's something like rumballs, kids can eat the same thing as adults. If they don't like it, it's just a few hours and you can fill up on booze and eat when you get home. :)

[MsVenus]

Is your friend a fussy eater by choice or because of medical issues?

A friend of mine refused to eat mango because it was 'foreign' but once she had a nibble after much face scrunching, she really liked it.

Carry on with your buffet plans but ask if he can eat cheese, crackers, ham etc

[Siennasun]

I have never been to a wedding where there is a children's buffet. I'm sure that's not the norm/ to be expected.

I'm a really fussy eater but I would never expect a bride and groom to cater for that on their wedding day. I always just have the veggie option and I either eat it or I don't, though I've always managed to eat something.
The food you are putting on sounds lovely and you really don't need to do anything else! Even I would manage to find loads to eat.

[PittTheYounger]

what IS the food you are offering?
Foie Gras or roast chicken?

[MrsWinnibago]

HAppy I think it's quite rude to be furious with anything you're offered as a guest at someone's wedding; your DS's DC may have ended up with roast lamb but the couple will have been billed for those extra meals on the same day...their wedding day. Very rude to make a fuss. I would have shared my meal with my DC as would my DH.

[vestandknickers]

My children would be gutted to have a separate "kids" table. A buffet is very child friendly as they can choose what they want. As others have said, plenty of non-fizzy soft drinks (including water).

Enjoy your wedding!

[nachohousekeeper]

As the parent of a fussy eater I would be delighted with a normal buffet. Any specially designed kids crap is just an excuse for him not to try anything new.

[HappyAgainOneDay]

I went to a wedding once where children's food was supplied. My DS's children qualified as children and he was furious that they'd be served with chicken nuggets. They finished up with roast lamb like the rest of us.

In some cheapo restaurants, there's a kids' menu that usually consists of burgers, fish fingers and the like and those awful things called baked beans. Why can't there be smaller portions of the adult food? Beyond their wit to think of that

[OnlyLovers]

Honestly, OP, what you've got sounds fantastic. If people don't tell you about requirements they cannot expect to be catered for. If they're ungracious about the food you're kindly laying on for them, frankly they don't deserve a second of time worrying about them.

Enjoy your day – and the food!

[IShallCallYouSquishy]

Kids at our wedding just had smaller portions of the adults. No special meals.

Evening buffet was typical finger food so again just had that.

No special food at all

[ikeaismylocal]

I think my friend will find something to eat, and actually his eating issues are verging on an eating disorder really, poor guy :( He often doesn't eat in the day just an evening meal that has to be something very specific. I imagine he'll eat before the wedding (doesn't satrt until 5) and then hopefully he'll be able to have some crisps/bread.

We have had no replies about food requirements despite us asking to be informed to we can provide nice food for everyone. I know that there is a handful of vegiterians so we are having lots of vegi options but I'm not sure about anything else, I guess if it was that much of a big issue people would have told us!

[Clarabell33]

Ikea, is your friend my DH's friend??

On the 'any dietary requirements' bit on the RSVP to our wedding (knowing we had at least one coeliac and a peanut allergy), his wife put that her DH has a 'delicate stomach' and 'can he please have a special meal consisting of any of the following'.

We know this chap quite well and he does not have a 'delicate stomach', he's just a fussy eater - his own words. So I was a bit (more tbh as had plenty of other things to do, like sorting out decent alternatives for the people with actual intolerances) and told DH to sort it out with his friend and the venue. The friend ended up with a double portion of the kids' option (something fairly plain, chicken I think, as opposed to red meat with veg). He was quite happy, but in contrast, the three little girls at our wedding (not many of our friends had children then) were trying things off their parents' plates. So YANBU. I agree with pp that kids will probably try things and find something they can eat, so no need for a separate children's menu! Your friend will probably find something he can eat, surely?

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

OP please don't ask around, you do not need a list of pfb dietary requirements the week before your wedding!

What you have is fine, honestly.

[BridgettRousselot]

If he will eat a plain burger, make him a plain sandwich with cold beef, put it aside for him.

[Mumoftwoyoungkids]

I went to a "do" the other day with a separate kids table for food. It was afternoon tea in a very posh hotel.

The kids table was lower down and had plain ham, cheese and egg sandwiches and little cakes and scones. The adult food was all on posh stands (just perfect for little hands to knock over) and were "posh" sandwiches and big scones and little cakes.

What happened was that dd took one look at the posh sandwiches and rejected her boring cheese one in favour of smoked salmon and happily ate her way through the adult food.

Ds rejected both the adult and child sandwiches and ate the breadsticks I had brought him.

What you have done sounds fine. Perhaps suggest kids go up first to make sure the plain things don't run out.

[TaliZorahVasNormandy]

My DD isnt a big eater, but she would happily munch on most of what you plan to serve at the buffet, Kids will eat anything if they hungry enough.

[CoffeeTea103]

Op I wouldn't even ask the parents of those 20 children if their kids will eat what's on the menu, you will just be inviting people to start being fussy and end up stressing yourself out unnecessarily.
Your menu sounds fine!

[Castlemilk]

Absolute nonsense that there should be a table of beige junk 'for the children'.

Yes, some adults and children alike would prefer plainer, not highly seasoned ec. foods - but it sounds as if you are providing that!

Plain breads
Plain single foods both vegetarian and non: ham, chicken wings, cheeses, hard boiled eggs?
Plain fruit of some sort: melon, grapes ideal - maybe a platter of satsumas and small apples would be nice.
Snacky carb foods - crackers, melba toasts, oatcakes, cheese straws.
Plain but mixed foods: a plain-ish pasta salad or rice salad plus leafy tomato salad.

That will be fine!

[PrincessOfChina]

I wouldn't expect this at a buffet meal. I've been to weddings where kids have been able to choose something like sausage and mash rather than a fancier dish which has been served to the adults.

[HSMMaCM]

Most people I know avoid kids food and give their children adult food anyway (just smaller amounts).