Let’s Talk: Sit Down Dinner or Buffet?

Your wedding day is one of the biggest moments in your life. It’s the day you commit to your partner for eternity, through sickness and in health. You exchange your vows and rings, two souls, uniting as one💕 Then the celebration begins!

With this ring, I thee wed💍 Photo taken by yours truly, while working for ADA Studio Photography as a 2nd photographer at the Crest Hollow Country Club.

Never settle for less than the Fairytale✨ Photo taken by yours truly, while working for ADA Studio Photography as a 2nd photographer at the Crest Hollow Country Club.

When its time for the reception, so many factors come into play. You want to create the ultimate experience to celebrate with your closest family and friends. Also, it’s so important to know what you and your soon to be husband/wife want and look forward to once the ceremony is over. What matters most to the both of you? For example, my husband and I were mainly concerned with the food and the entertainment. At the time, I had not yet worked in floral design so I didn’t factor in tablescape ideas like I would now but, I wanted the florals to be vibrant. I wanted to add color to the room as an overall expression of my husband and I. Looking back, I could have done more but overall my wedding day was everything I could have ever dreamed of. The planning process was something I truly enjoyed and I wouldn’t change a thing. But now, I’m here to help all of you! I want to help others think outside the box and truly express themselves on their wedding day!

My husband and I on our wedding day✨ Photography/Video: ADA Studio Venue: East Wind Florals: With All My Heart DJ: Tommy’s Tunes Dress: Casablanca Bridal Tux: Men’s Warehouse Hair/Make-Up: Sivana Salon

When your guests arrive at your venue there are three main things on their mind: Ambiance, Entertainment and Food! Depending on your budget, what matters most for each couple can vary. But, if I can leave one piece of advice for anyone reading this it would be to ALWAYS choose a formal, sit-down dinner!

Some couples choose a buffet because it either fits better in their budget or they don’t want their dancing guests to be interrupted by each sit-down course. Others choose buffet style if their wedding takes place during the day-time rather than the evening. But if you ask me, buffet-style dinners are for birthday parties or backyard BBQ’s, NOT for elegant, romantic weddings. (Sorry, not sorry). First of all, you can absolutely have a beautiful sit-down dinner within your budget. Or, if your concern is that there are too many courses interrupting the dancing and fun, chose a menu option with just one appetizer and then dinner. We live in a world of food excess, so let’s be real, unless you want the course options, your guests don’t need it because they did just come from cocktail hour. So, rather than having several courses (salad, pasta, intermezzo and then dinner) chose to have just one appetizer so that you have less disruptions.

Overall, when we are talking buffet style or sit down, sit down dinners will always win! In my opinion, having a buffet with your guests waiting on line for food like they’re in a school cafeteria should be left at your cocktail hour. There is nothing classy about it during the reception. That’s a big no-no in my book.

Your centerpiece creates the WOW factor and your table linens bring together a feeling of luxury✨ Photograph taken by yours truly, while working with Tracey Elizabeth Photography at the Garden City Hotel.

As I mentioned, weddings are all about romance and elegance. You want your wedding day to exude luxury not mediocrity. When planning your big day, you should not only go for the sit-down dinner but you also need to understand a little bit more about tablescapes. If designing and details is not your fortè, hire a planner to help you achieve your wedding goal dreams!

When your guests arrive and sit at their tables, you’re going to want to WOW them (Auntie Anne will talk about these moments for years and years, you’ll want every detail to shine)! No pressure, that’s what I’m here for! You will want to make that lasting impression with not only the food and entertainment but also, the atmosphere. Tie details together with tasteful linens, statement centerpieces and gorgeous table settings. Now you’re looking like a seasoned pro and overall really bringing your personalities and the dining room together as a whole.

Below are some of my favorite examples of drop-dead gorgeous, show-stopping tablescapes! All photography credits will be under each image. These are not my personal photographs, however I have worked with and seen many of these amazing event design companies work their magic in person so, I am happy to share their work. Some are accounts I follow online based on my own inspiration. Many images are from New York and Long Island based companies but a few are from out of state. Other images are from local event coordinators that I’m inspired by. Having a D.O.C (day-of coordinator) on your wedding day is so important! It lets you relax so that you can truly enjoy the moment and a D.O.C will make sure the job gets done efficiently and to your standards! Take a look at some of my favorite inspirations below and enjoy!

Image taken by Peonies to Paint Chips. A New Jersey based company that travels! They are by far one of the most talented companies I’ve worked with. I’m gushing over the florals on each place setting, it adds the perfect amount of extra flair

The perfect Winter tablescape✨ Once again the touch of greens on the place settings along with tapered candles is EVERYTHING. It’s the little details that go a long way❤️ Image by Peonies to Paint Chips. A New Jersey based company that travels!

Peep those personalized wooden place cards✨ So adorable. Photograph by Something Blue Floral Events. Image taken at the Village at Sands Point. I’m lucky enough to be working for this beautiful company. Based in Sayville. I personally hand-craft all of the bridal bouquets and boutonnières for this company but overall our team does absolutely amazing designs. I promise I’m not bias 😍

White, crisp, clean and clear. So full of elegance and romance❤️ Each table setting had its own unique centerpiece with white orchids, cala-lily’s and roses. All the candles set the mood. Then, you have the clear charger plates with the gold trim and goblets to match. This is what makes it all tie together. Stunning isn’t even the word. I have to say, this was one of the most incredible weddings I was able to be a part of! The room was designed by Marion at Something Blue Floral Events. It was a total show-stopper at the beautiful Flowerfield Celebrations in Saint James. Photography credit goes to Imagine Studios.

I think we’ve been transported to the Garden of Eden here💚 In reality it’s Gurneys Resort. This beautifully designed event was curated by another Long Island based company called Couture Concepts. Photography credit goes them as well. Not only is the ceiling installation incredible but I personally love the pop of color with the green goblets on each table. Florals: Sag Harbor Florist Goblets and Chargers: Elite Tent Party Rental Planning & Design: Couture Concepts

Winter Wonderland Wedding❄️ The table runner in my opinion makes things a bit too busy but overall, everything else from the cutlery and plating, with the florals and candles and the plaid napkins, is simply jaw – dropping. I am loving this cozy and wintry vibe! Venue: Royalton Equestrian Florals: Jenny Wildflower Planning & Design: Couture Concepts Photography credit goes to Couture Concepts

Sometimes the right linens are EVERYTHING✨ How glamorous is this tablescape? Photography credit goes to Finishing Touch Linens & Rentals: Finishing Touch Florals: Ava Floral

Pure elegance at the Mohonk Mountain💕 This is a coordination company I am truly inspired by located in the Hudson Valley called Elite Wedding Planning. Photography by Tiffany Wayne Planning & Design: Elite Wedding Planning

Last year, when I travelled to Nashville, I planned a day trip with my husband to a beautiful botanical garden called Cheekwood. I am so happy I did! Little did I know that Cheekwood is a venue and location for weddings in Tennessee. I am so inspired by this venue. I could not find the rental company to credit but I wanted to share this image because it shows that even outside of New York, wedding design aspects are similar. I personally love a beautiful table garland, although in this picture I see large white Lily’s and as beautiful as they are, I have noticed in my years of floral design, many clients are not a fan of this flower due to how overly fragrant they are compared to other florals (something to keep in mind). Once again, you see another clear glass charger with silver trims as a table setting. These plating ideas bring in a touch of something tasteful when your guest have yet to take their first bite of a meal. Photography credit Janelle Elise a Minnesota based photographer

Last but not least, another beautiful table setting with some Winter inspiration. I am absolutely loving the Buffalo Check. I feel in the right venue setting these linens are perfect for the Rustic-Style couple. Rentals: Party Rental LTD travels to NY and beyond Venue: Updike Farmhouse in New Jersey Florals: Princeton Floral Photography: Mike Scardilli

All in all, I hope those of you reading have enjoyed this post! I wanted to share some beautiful and local inspiration with all of you. Don’t be afraid of design when it comes to your wedding day. Choose what works best for you and your partner. And as I mentioned in the beginning, there are three important aspects you want to focus on while planning your reception and that is the ambiance, the entertainment and the food. The rest will be a beautiful memory you and your loved ones will look back on for many years to come.

All the images, unless otherwise noted in this post have been copyrighted. All rights reserved to Stargazed Photography by Christina Marie.