Did anyone forgo the sit down meal?

We thought about it but the registrar in the end wouldn't marry us later than 2pm so it wasn't something we could have done anyway. I think its good idea though, as it is we're not having a formal 3 course meal but bowls of 'hearty food' delivered to the table. Why not do speeches when you have a toast before the buffet opens.

We did think about this, but I don''t think I could wait till late in the afternoon I would be way to excited. Plus, I thought the day would just go even quicker if it started later (that comment sounds so dumb!)

But, I think it's a great way to save money, and if you are more patient than I am and could wait until late afternoon, then you should definitely go for it!

We're starting at 4pm, ceremony and then a sit down (so still having a sit down meal actually) just starting later. everything in one place so it won't be an all day affair and no traveling between ceremony and reception etc.

Ditto.

We thought about a buffet before we chose our venue but actually, the price for a buffet was pretty similar to a sit down meal. Our whole wedding is actually a lot different to what we had origially wanted - we're now going for the whole she-bang of 4 course dinner with liquers, etc but as we're getting married at 4.00pm, we aren't feeding anyone in the evening. Current numbers is 74 for the whole thing.

same here, lol! the buffet didn't have as much choice as we wanted and the price difference wasn't that huge for what you get.

My mother in law to be had a buffet style dinner in a barn, using hog roast as the main feature and people got served the hog and then added own extras from the selection - guests also mved seats and specific times so everyone mingled which is a good tip if you have time to think it through and plan??!!

I did one last year in Cornwall without a sit down....and it worked very well.

Ceremony was late afternoon in register office. Wedding party arrived at venue between 4.30 and 5.00 as rest of guests arrived too. People went to the bar, chatted and about 5.30ish we did some children's games as there were quite a few little guys there. 6.00ish the wedding party left the room and were introduced in. They walked up and stood infront of the rig where I'd set up a mic and stand, and a little table for their glasses. Speeches, toasts and gifts for the mums followed. Bride & groom then introduced onto dance floor for first dance, then father daughter etc. Buffet was served at 7ish, then into disco and karaoke.....finished at 12. It was very informal and relaxed. It flowed like clockwork and was a brill wedding.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

We are having a church wedding getting married at 3.30pm by the time we arrive at the venue will be about 5.30pm we will then allow time for everyone to have a drink and a natter, then about 6.30pm we are having a hot buffet meal with plenty of tables and seats but it is informal so no seating plan and the tables wont be laid out with places. Not really up for the formal speeches so we are just going to let my dad say a few words and that will be it, then cake cutting time and parteeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ? We are having people serving food and they will also be going around offering people wine topping up drinks as everyone eats.

Thanks for the replies lovely ladies!

Think we're going to stick with the sit down as its not possible to have a buffet without feeding peeps in the evening...

OH well i tried...

Everyones set up sounds lovely