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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think you can have cold food at a wedding

68 replies

CheeseIsEverything · 23/04/2019 13:55

Our ceremony is at 4pm and we are looking to then put on food (one lot of food, no wedding breakfast or sit down meal) at around 6:30pm.

Do you think a cold buffet would be acceptable or would you expect hot food?

OP posts:
MaMaMaMySharona · 23/04/2019 13:56

I don't think I'd really notice if I'm honest - what time of year is the wedding?

If you've got a selection of different options I can't imagine why it would be a problem!

scaryteacher · 23/04/2019 13:59

We had a cold buffet, the sort of thing served at Naval balls, salmon, lovely salads, seafood, a ham, turkey etc and lovely spuds. I heard no complaints, and we all mingled, no top table etc, it seats for those who needed them.

33 years on, I've still heard no complaints....

Original poster
CheeseIsEverything · 23/04/2019 14:02

Thanks! It's a middle of summer wedding.

Sounds much like yours Scary, no table plan, informal set up etc.

Most of the cold buffets I've seen seem to have a much tastier looking spread than the hot ones for a much lower cost.

OP posts:
Biancadelrioisback · 23/04/2019 14:04

We did afternoon tea

MadamHattie · 23/04/2019 14:04

This is exactly what we intend to do. I'm not up for all the sit down meal fuss so a late wedding and a buffet after is my ideal!

mando12345 · 23/04/2019 14:04

I think a nice, plentiful cold buffet would be lovely.

Ellenborough · 23/04/2019 14:08

Of course. I did have a large sit-down wedding breakfast but I opted for a cold buffet table. We had with lots of difference types of salad, rice, pasta, potato etc., whole roast turkey, whole poached salmon, whole roast hams all sliced and served by the staff and some nice posh vegetarian quiches.

Desserts were cold too - sherry trifle, cheesecake, tropical fruit salad and lemon sorbet.

It was ideal and so much easier to manage than serving a hot meal for 80 odd people.

Then we had a finger buffet and cheese board for the evening as well.

Didntwanttochangemyname · 23/04/2019 14:16

Sounds like you are planning exactly what we are planning. If you are so inclined, check out images of 'grazing tables' on Pinterest (terrible name, mind you!)

HoraceCope · 23/04/2019 14:19

we had a cold food, a salmon and a turkey or ham can't remember, lots of salad, as did my dsis

Original poster
CheeseIsEverything · 23/04/2019 14:19

Great okay, I feel a lot more reassured now. Not sure what made me so hesitant before!

I will check out 'grazing tables', thank you!

OP posts:
ShanghaiDiva · 23/04/2019 14:20

Cold buffet is great! Have been to so many events where food is served lukewarm due to timing issues and/or number of guests, would rather have a cold buffet any day.

Pootles34 · 23/04/2019 14:23

Yes sounds lovely! We did hot lunch then cold evening buffet - cold stuff was much nicer tbh!

We had side of salmon, a ham, salads, quiches, and a cheese 'cake' (pile of cheeses to look like a wedding cake) that also became part of buffet. Think of the best boxing day leftover buffet. Bloody gorgeous.

Bringbackthestripes · 23/04/2019 14:48

As long as people have enough to eat so they aren’t hungry, or don’t have enough to soak up the alcohol, it doesn’t really matter if it’s hot or cold.

churchthecat · 23/04/2019 15:05

I think a buffet is fine. Though we went to one last year where it was terrible. It was supposed to be afternoon tea, but it was pretty much just shitty little sandwiches. Which most people joked were pretty much a kids packed lunch. Insanely posh £££ hotel, with kids ham sandwiches as the food.

If it's quiches and nice cheeses and things I think that's fine.

ivykaty44 · 23/04/2019 15:10

I went to a wedding where cold food was plated, made it much swifter

We had salmon and salad with potato salad, or roast beef salad

I hate Buffetts as they are beige and first up seems to take so long

With this it was ideal as everyone just took a plate and went and ate, no queue, no beige food.
Add in a vegetable option if needed

MaitlandGirl · 23/04/2019 15:13

The last couple of weddings I went to only had cold food served (similar to your ideas) and it worked really well.

One thing to consider is the quantity of food - I always over cater - so maybe have food for 15-20% more guests than invited. It’s a genuine fear of mine that people will leave hungry and with buffets people tend to eat more. Also consider the age/type of guests. Lots of pensioners or small children will eat less than lots of rugby players for instance.

Grazing tables are very popular here and look amazing when properly laid out.

Original poster
CheeseIsEverything · 23/04/2019 15:13

Thanks.

Yes thinking quiches, pastas, meats and cheeses etc.. probably some of the usual stuff like sausage rolls for the children too.

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 23/04/2019 15:15

I love a buffet, it would be perfect in summer. Just don’t forget the non meat eaters!

We didn’t have a seating plan either. People sat pretty much exactly how we would have put them if we’d thought about it!

Hobbesmanc · 23/04/2019 15:16

We had a Friday four pm and just had canapes after the wedding with a more substantial but still cold buffet later on. No sit down food at all.

Original poster
CheeseIsEverything · 23/04/2019 15:18

Yes, I think I'd be more inclined towards hot food in winter but I think cold in summer should be okay!

I've just had a look at grazing tables. They look amazing! Do you think they are maybe slightly overwhelming? I wouldn't know where to start honestly.

I definitely don't want a seating plan other than to separate my divorced parents! (Also the reason for no top table).

OP posts:
Ellenborough · 23/04/2019 15:24

If you are not planning a sit-down meal and such then make sure your food is suitable to be eaten one handed and possibly standing up. There is nothing worse than trying to cut stuff up on a dreadful bendy paper or plastic plate when you don't have anywhere to sit.

A cold buffet is fine but please have proper plates and enough seating if it's food that requires a knife and fork. If it's people milling around and not enough seats for everyone at the same time then stick to finger foods, canapés, hog roast baps, that sort of thing.

Grundtal · 23/04/2019 15:27

We did the same. Late wedding then no formal meal just an informal reception with a cold buffet. If anyone bitched they didn't do it directly to us.

ThatssomebadhatHarry · 23/04/2019 15:32

I am always knackered after a large meal so pick eat at weddings. Especially when alcohol is added. I went to a wedding with a cold salad, meats and rice etc, slow releasing carbs....on the dance floor all night......it’s a great idea.

Original poster
CheeseIsEverything · 23/04/2019 15:35

Yes, there should definitely be enough seating for everyone just no formal seating plan and I have asked the buffet company I'm in contact with to provide proper plates and cutlery already.

OP posts:
BarbaraofSevillle · 23/04/2019 15:36

The grazing tables look nice, but the way that all the bread, cheese, crackers, fruit, olives, pickles are mingled with the meat means that the whole lot isn't really suitable for vegetarians or people who don't eat certain meats for religious reasons. The meat really should be served separately IMO.

Even though I vastly prefer hot food to cold I think cold only in the circumstances you describe are fine.