Creative ideas for releasing tables for buffet

I was at a fundraising event this weekend where each table number had a song next to it and when that song played the table was released for the buffet. It was an OK idea, but make sure the DJ announces it too because a lot of tables weren't really paying attention

I wouldn't be a fan because I don't like games at weddings. And then you want me to play a game to see who can get to the buffet first? No. ESPECIALLY when I'm hangry.

Although a clever idea, I don't think it really sets well with a wedding reception. If you have servers at the buffet the lines should go through fairly quickly so I don't think there'd be a problem with overly antsy guests--unless they are super impatient and rude.

I actually saw a bride and groom do it in an interesting way. They went to the next table to be called up and chatted with them until the DOC signaled them. Then the bride & groom let that table know they could go up. They were done with greeting all the tables by the time they started eating and the DOC had their food waiting for them at their seats when they got back.

We went to a wedding last summer where tables weren't numbered but identified by a song. The DJ played the song to call tables for the buffet. It was cute.

@sarahL I love that idea! I always feel like a child having to sit and wait to be released at weddings but this would be an awesome way to kill two birds with one stone. Plus, it would ensure that each visit was short because people will want to go eat

I also think the DJ announcing the table numbers can be frustrating if you're hungry. We were seated right next to the buffet at my uncle's wedding and dead last (shocker: the food was cold). We were all miserable because there was nothing to distract us from our giant pains of hunger. We were also way too close to the buffet tables and people kept bumping into our chairs as they queued up. I want to do everything possible so that both sides of the buffet are available for serving to get that time down.

I went to a wedding that did that. It was trivia about the B&G. It was fun for people who were super close to the B&G for a long time, but I was at a table of coworkers. None of us knew any of the answers and we felt like we were almost penalized by getting fed last for having only met the couple recently.

Oooh I like @Sarah's idea! I've also heard of the each table has a song method

VJ: Oh man yeah I can totally see how that would be off putting. Not to mention unfair to those who haven't known them forever. If we did decide to do it we would definitely have to either make the questions really obvious ones about us or do the trivia about some other topic

Ok honest answer I would not want to play a game to go to the buffet but I get super hangry so it could just be me

I agree with the others who say this would make me hangry. Lol. No games before I've eaten...

What if there were no games, but a funny way for the emcee or DJ to announce that the buffet is ready.
There’s one where the emcee gets all the ladies up and tells them to go help themselves first and say something like - chivalry is not dead, it’s just fast asleep sometimes….

Have you guys any other ideas or experienced something else like that ?