Menu Variety

I don't see a problem with having a chicken and a beef entree. Is it possible to upgrade and add 1 more entree? If you're worried that it isn't enough variety, you could also ask your caterer the pricing difference to upgrade.

I think what you’ve got listed is fine, but I would also ask the caterer what they do for allergies/vegetarians, etc. Even with a buffet, most caterers will make up a separate plate for those with allergies or other dietary restrictions.

We had buffet, but for those with dietary restrictions they got a plated meal. Not sure why you don't think you could do the same for his dad or anyone else with other dietary restrictions. That being said I think your menu sounds fine. I personally don't like cooked carrots so I wouldn't eat those.

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I agree with this, it would be simpler to have a plated meal for your future father in law and others with restrictions. Talk to you caterer about it.

I think there will be more concern over quality of food over the type of food.

I think your menu sounds great. I would ask the caterer if they could do a special plate for him with very plain foods. I know we have a gluten free child coming to ours and they will have to do a special meal since kids are having chicken tenders and Mac n cheese.

We’re doing buffet style and unfortunately I’m the one with the food allergies. Garlic being one of those. My caterer is making everything without garlic. Reach out to your caterer and see what they can do to accommodate him. When I go to restaurants that cook with garlic I usually have to have my food cooked separately. Different experience but the food is still quality.

Thanks everyone! We have a meeting with the caterer today so I'll be sure to bring it up to them and see what they say. Honestly I wasn't too worried until my fiancé and I sat down last night to make sure we were on the same page for today and he started throwing curveballs at me lol.

Secondary question, for anyone who reads this: if something had mushrooms in the sauce and you didn't like mushrooms would you be willing to eat the rest of it and just pick around them? The beef tenderloin I'm leaning towards has mushrooms and onions, and my fiancé swears no one who dislikes mushrooms would touch it so there's no point. His immediate family (like parents, sibling's family...) don't like mushrooms but I feel like out of 150 people his immediate family is the pickiest of the bunch and like my whole family loves mushrooms or would pick around. Heck, I don't like mushrooms but would pick them out!

For your follow up question, can you do the sauce on the side ? Anyone who doesn’t like mushrooms can skip the sauce, and similarly...anyone who doesn’t prefer sauce on their meat. We chose 2 proteins with sauce and both were served separately on the side in case someone wasn’t into it. Sauce being self serve worked out great.


I agree with talking about a special dietary plate. We had a buffet and no vegetarian option on there (besides sides obviously), but for our 2-4 vegetarians, they were provided a separate plated meal, and we had another separate platedMeal for our one guest who kept kosher. So a special diet plate shouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility.
Still, regarding menu— I think your selections sound fine, but as a guest I would be a little disappointed about the lack of variety in the package. I feel like part of the point of a buffet is to have options. The proteins sound fine, but I’d see if you could add even just another vegetable side, if not a starch option too. I love potatoes but I’m not interested in glazed carrots , so I feel like if you’re looking for “something for everyone” putting a little something extra on there would help. We did : 2 proteins, a mashed potato, a risotto, and mixed grilled vegetables. It was only one veggie side technically, but I liked that guests could still choose their favorite veggies out of the mix!

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If we can have a separate plate for his dad and possibly do a slightly more "adventurous" chicken, then my main concern about variety is with the sides over the meat. I love potatoes too, but I feel like having rice or some other sort of starch is a good idea, like you said. I plan on asking the caterer what options they have for mixed veggies, because my fiancé is super picky about those and wants to make sure he'll eat something but I agree with wanting to give people as many options as possible! Great idea as well about the sauce on the side! I will ask them today!

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I was going to say the same thing. I feel like most caterers will make a specialty plate for someone with food issues, I don’t see that as being a big ask or problem.

Even at buffets, caterers can provide a dish for those with allergies/restricted diets.

We had a few vegans at our wedding, so even though our buffet had some vegan options, the caterer just created two vegan specific dishes for those guests.

1. The caterer may be able to still make a separate dish for him. Ask. I was once on a super restrictive elimination diet (like 90% of foods not allowed, absolutely no spices), and while I never asked the couple to cater to that, they made it clear their caterer was able to do so. In the case of a very important guest like this, it's worth finding out if they can make something to his sensitivities.

2. Nothing wrong with basic. Basic foods are more likely to be appreciated by everyone. Wedding meals don't have to be mojo-spiced lobster with avocado foam and black licorice salsa. As long as the food is good, your guests won't care how adventurous it is or isn't.

3. I personally like rice infinitely better than potatoes, but if I went to a wedding with potatoes, I would eat them anyway. (Or, if I really wasn't feeling potatoes, I just would skip them. No harm, no foul.) I feel like most people like potatoes.

4. Definitely ask if you can get the mushroom sauce on the side. I know people who don't like mushrooms, and I know people who don't like onions, and all would just totally skip any sauce with mushrooms or visible chunks of onion and would not eat around them. Most buffets I've been to where there was a sauce for an item, the sauce was on the side and the servers just spooned it on for those who wanted it.

We talked with the caterer last night and they can accommodate a special less-seasoned chicken breast for him. We will also be most likely be going with a vegetable medley instead of just carrots and I have requested pricing to see what the cost difference would be to add an additional rice side to the buffet for anyone who might not want potatoes.

Fiancé even got excited and wants to see if we can get a popcorn bar set up for an end of the night snack (he LOVES popcorn). Thanks everyone for your insight!