Where’s The Beef? Plated/Seated vs. Buffet Battle

If you read the last installment of The Weekly Chic, it was all about reception seating arrangements. Part of the discussion was explaining how seating guests properly would help inform the caterer to know who has what meal. As a response, I received a few questions from readers asking “Well, what if I don't have a plated/seated meal?” and “What’s better, buffet or plated, and why?” So, I got on the phone and called my new friend Chef Lola Daniels, owner of The Colour of Love. Chef Lola’s slogan, “Unpretentious Food. Unique Perspective!” definitely shines through when she talks with me about how to end the age-old debate and determine what might be the best option for you when it comes to your reception service. 

The Chef’s Preference

We started off the conversation with the most asked question from the readers. As a Chef, what does Lola prefer when it comes to reception catering? She prefers the seated/plated option hands down. “It gives me a chance as a chef to be creative, and put art in front of a guest.” It’s also much easier logistically to serve guests because there is much less commotion and movement. Another plus is a much more recent concern due to CoVid. You don’t have to worry about dinnerware being touched by others, or being in a line close behind 10 other people.  

When it comes to wedding planning, Chef Lola wants brides and grooms to consider their budget timeline, and understand why placing catering at the top is so important when considering costs. “Brides and grooms always place food at the bottom of the planning list. It’s going to be a long day and people gotta eat, you know!” This was super odd for me to hear, however, I imagine that she gets a ton of clients that come to her on their own without a planner. So, my wonderful readers, I want you to picture a triangle. On each corner see these words: Venue, Catering, Entertainment. This is what I call the “Holy Trinity of Events”, and these options should definitely be locked down first. Remember them for every style event, and even if I am not with you, you’ve got the main 3 things people remember about amazing events and weddings out of the way.

Photo Credit: Lola Daniels/The Colour of Love

Budgeting Matters

Although Chef Lola prefers seated/plated, she sees absolutely nothing wrong with doing a beautiful buffet. It is definitely a budget conscientious option to consider, and it gives your guests several selections to choose from. “Everything doesn’t have to be Filet Mignon. Don’t be afraid to downscale, because even simple foods can have an elegant touch.”  Some examples she presented were what she calls her “Backyard BBQ favorites, stepped up a notch”. Serve meatballs at cocktail hour, but instead of plain old ground beef, substitute the protein for succulent ground lamb. Mac and Cheese is always a hit but instead of using cheddar, opt to make it with gruyere or even add lobster. “These can be made at large quantities, and everyone loves them!”

Photo Credit: Lola Daniels/The Colour of Love

The Pros and Cons of Each Style

There are a few other points Chef Lola wants you to think about when deciding how you will feed your guest at your wedding reception. 

Pros of Seated/Plated Dining:

• Specialty requests like Vegan/Vegetarian options for a small select group of people can be made for less because items for these meals won’t need to be bought in bulk. 

• Seated/Plated gives a more luxurious look and feel for your reception. It’s a VIBE!

Cons of Seated/Plated Dining:

• It is more costly due to the staff needed to handle the higher guest counts.

• Creating some plates can be taxing, as some catering choices may not look the same or as nice as others.

Pros of Buffet Dining:

• It’s easier to budget because catering will buy in bulk, and that results in lower costs. It also cuts prep time.

• The display table can also be designed to match the theme/decor.

Cons of Buffet Dining:

• Food temps can vary due to the steam in chafing dishes. Food can become overcooked or become cold faster because of the consistent lifting of lids.

• Waste becomes much more likely because of the amount of food left over. If your guest count drops because of no-shows, then that food is not going to be consumed.

The Heavy Hors d'oeuvres Debacle

Photo Credit: Lola Daniels/The Colour of Love

It is a common misconception that serving heavy hors d’oeuvres rather than a full meal at your wedding reception is cheaper in cost. A lot of people think that if you have smaller/tiny food options, you’ll have a lower price. This could not be farther from the truth and could cost you more money than serving a typical dinner in the long run. Nobody I know only gets a few chicken wings and mini bruschetta, and only decides to make one trip to the buffet table…NOBODY! Chef Lola couldn’t agree more! “These are typically stackable, one bite options designed to be easy to eat while moving. The more you move [dance] and drink, the more you will want, and that could become costly. Her rule of thumb is this: “If your wedding/event has over 50 guests, is longer than 2 hours, and has a dance floor, just don’t do it!” 

What to Avoid

I asked Chef Lola what should our readers watch out for when searching for the right caterer. The first thing she says is “Watch out for the ‘name-dropping’ catering companies. Just because they may know and worked with a celebrity or two, doesn’t mean they know food. I don’t care if the Dalai Lama had it, it’s still nasty!”. Make sure you have a tasting and know what that particular chef specializes in. They should work with your palette, and play with the flavors you love. It’s your day!

The next thing she says to watch out for is the decor up-sale tactics. “I don’t do table decor, I leave it to the planner or decor team to design the tablescapes. Caterers should only focus on the tableware and the food.” Chef Lola typically outsources design with planner partnerships she’s developed over time. The less she has to think about how the table looks, the more time she has to concentrate on amazing flavors for her clients.  

Photo Credit: Lola Daniels/The Colour of Love

To wrap up, I am so excited to share that Chef Lola has just launched a Featured Chef Series! Each week, 12 guests will be invited to take part in a delicious, curated event hosted by a private chef. The featured chef of the evening will select a piece of art, and present 6 stellar courses inspired by that specific piece. Each guest can bid on the art, and all proceeds go toward the LGBT Marriage Club, a nonprofit dedicated to support LGBTQIA+ marriages. 

I would like to thank Chef Lola Daniels for joining me on this blog topic because I want all of you to make the best decisions for the best event experiences. I definitely learned a lot about catering, and I got rather hungry talking about all the amazing food! To learn more about Chef Lola and The Colour of Love, follow them on IG @thecolouroflove_atl and on Facebook @TheColourOfLoveATL. If you like what you’ve read, give us a like, and share this blog on your socials. If you’re getting married or have an event to be planned, be sure to contact us today for a free consultation.

Until next time!

Keep it Chic,

XOXO

Amaris T.

Average Cost of Weddings and Events In Atlanta or Austell

*Insert dramatic music* Dun-Dun-DUUUUUUN!!! Yep, let’s talk pricing folks. This is a subject that many people are afraid to discuss when looking for someone to plan their wedding, anniversary, or corporate celebration.

When I do get asked, I always try to find the best way to answer this question because the response isn’t so basic. In its simplest form, the best way to price an event is all about the hired professional’s specialty, their time in the industry, venue style and location. Also we need to know what your budget is and the type of event you're throwing. Honestly there are very different details from one event to another, and piecing the parts together is no simple task.

Essentially, you are looking to hire someone to pull off an event that expresses your feelings about a specific occasion in celebration form. Talk about complex! There’s so much more to this answer, so for the sake of this blog I will try to break down these 4 points to give you a better perspective on why a planner sets their pricing the way they do. Also we will attempt to explain why pricing may be different from planner to planner. 

Photo Credit: Asad Photo Maldives from Pexels

Venue Style and Location - $10,000

We have all heard the expression “There are three things that matter in real estate, location, location, location!”  This can most definitely be applied when looking for that perfect event venue. Depending on location and amenities the venue offers, the national average for wedding venues are around $10,000. 

Selecting the wrong venue or the wrong location can impact the look and style of your wedding or event, your budget, vendor availability, guest count, you name it! I always ask clients during our consultation if they are dead set on an area they first mention to me.  There is always a strong possibility that if I look 15 to 20 minutes in any direction I can get them a lower price, because venue pricing can fluctuate from zip code to zip code.

The venue style is very important when planning out the event you're having. Although most people do think about a particular area where they want to get married, sometimes the venue style isn't available in the part of town you like. The venue literally sets the stage for the show, and allows you to design the wedding or event look you’ve been dreaming of. As an example, if you love a classic look you wouldn’t have your wedding or event in a barn. If you’re boho chic, your first choice wouldn’t be a modern hotel. It also prevents more work from your design team, and more savings for you because a lot of elements that they would use for the design should already be in place if you pick the right venue. So if you like a modern industrial, the venue will more than likely have exposed beams and edison lights, and will add to the theme you’re going for.

I live in the Metro-Atlanta area and the city is super popular for events with the skyline and nightlife. It's this reason why pricing will be higher in the city limits, and 90% of the time planners are aware of venues close to the area you want to be in for less.

Knowing your estimated guest count will also help you determine the size of the venue needed for your celebration. A good question to ask the venue is what size/type of tables and chairs are provided for the space so you know how many can be seated. Knowing that ahead of time will help you see how the space will be laid out for seating charts. Most venues will have a floor plan available to see how they would arrange the room to accommodate the number of guests you intend on inviting. Also, ask about pricing on days like Fridays or Sundays because even though those days are considered weekends, they are less popular than the forever coveted Saturday. You may get a better deal for those days if you're willing to bend a bit on the date.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Wong from Pexels

Event Type and Budget - $10,000

No two events are the same, and that goes without saying about weddings. Anniversaries, corporate events, birthdays, and other general celebrations (as I like to call them), unless they are cultural (Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceaneras), don’t typically deal in the intricate details like a wedding. For the most part the initial formula is the same...venue, entertainment, catering. However, the devil...or should I say the stress level, is in the details. Needing a Day-of Coordinator alone to help manage a wedding day is a clear give away that planning for your big day won't be like your average event.

The national average cost for a wedding runs around $35,000 and in my area in GA, the average cost is about $32,000. I won’t say everyone will spend that money for their wedding but it’s not an average for nothing. General events can run anywhere from $3,000, $10,000 and can fluctuate lower or higher depending on how extravagant you want to be. To plan a wedding  you need an average of 8-12 months. Even with that amount of time it's a possibility you still will have issues (Think Murphy’s Law), but the more time you have to prevent them the better. With your general events, 2-3 months is sufficient time depending on how extravagant you go.

Other factors you’ll need to consider is other vendors. For example:

• Florists, who can charge $1,000 to $10,000 depending on your event.

• Decorators who bring your table linens and other decor can start around $2,000.

• DJ’s Can start their pricing at $1000.00 for wedding s because they do a lot song changes and announcements during the ceremony and reception.

• Catering’s cost average can begin at $25.00 per head , and this is also depending on the type of event you’re having, and the menu selected.

Outdoor weddings and events can be beautiful, but the additional factors like landscape and weather can create a visual nightmare when planning your special day. Your planner will make sure you have a “plan B” at the ready just in case inclement weather occurs. You may be thinking “Well that’s just common sense!” I’d like to let you know that common sense ain't always common, but we planners understand that you get swept away in the possibility of forever *insert romantic music* and can’t think of everything that we think about on a daily basis.

An outdoor event may require special permits to run generators and other equipment in order to pull off an event successfully. Depending on the city you reside in, that can start at $50.00 to $500.00 or more depending on the venue and the equipment needed. There’s also liquor licenses that may need to be in hand for special events if the venue you’ve rented doesn’t have one. Please make sure you or your planner knows the county law, and has proof that the venue has a liquor license, or if they are a “B.Y.O.B.” style location. These additional factors need to be considered when creating your budget.

Photo Credit: Agung Pandit Wiguna from Pexels

Conclusion

Each planner in the industry specializes in a particular event realm, and although we may dabble in different types from time to time, we all have our faves. Some planners really enjoy general celebrations like Baby/Bridal Showers because they are smaller and more intimate.

Some planners specialize in the super luxe weddings with the large guest counts, upgraded linens, and 7 course meals. The national average cost for a wedding planner is around $1,500, and general event planners charge around $1,000 depending on their time in the industry.  I really want to emphasize that there is a distinction between specialties, and no one event planner in the same specialty is the same.

So when you look at pricing, make sure you are getting what you need out of the hired pro, and what you want for your event. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what their pricing entails, and how hands on they will be. There’s a lot of scheduling involved, appointments to make, and contracts to review. For a wedding they will, more than likely, also be handling the Day-of Coordination as well and that will be inclusive of cost. Knowing that there are many more details when planning a wedding, it's expected that you’ll pay your planner more than you would for other events. 

Should you need more info please feel free to contact us. More than likely we planners already have pricing calculated for the style and celebration you want, but rest assured, whatever your event, a good planner will be worth every cent!

Until next time!

Keep It Chic

XOXO,
Amaris