As we have mentioned before on this blog, there are lots of catering options when it comes to the food side of your wedding. It’s fair to say the majority of weddings opt for a traditional sit-down meal. Some will go for a buffet, but have you ever entertained the idea of a banquet?
What is a wedding banquet?
When you hear the word banquet, your mind thinks about medieval times and people sitting in a massive hall on a huge table. In truth, you’re not far off what a wedding banquet will be like!
Here, the idea is that everyone sits at the same table, and you eat your meal together. It’ll be a long table with the married couple at the top end, then everyone else down the sides. Food gets delivered by your wedding catering company, and it’s a variation of the traditional sit-down meal.
What are the benefits of a wedding banquet?
Why might this catering option be perfect for your wedding? For one, it’s ideal if you have a small wedding without many guests. Instead of scattering everyone around a room, you can bring them all together for a more cozy eating experience.
Secondly, you could argue that having everyone around the banquet table creates a more sociable experience. It’s a chance for guests to get closer to one another, chat together, and so on. With traditional sit-down meals, you can be really spaced out from other guests, so the atmosphere isn’t always great. A banquet recreates the feeling of a massive family meal with everyone around the table.
Thirdly, wedding banquets can be beneficial if you want to save money on the venue. Often, the biggest struggle is finding a venue that can accommodate all the tables and chairs needed for your guests. Here, you just need enough room for the big table with all the chairs around it, so you might be able to afford a smaller and cheaper place. They’re also perfect for outdoor weddings, so they’re a good choice in the summer.
What should you consider before choosing a wedding banquet?
While the benefits are diverse, this isn’t an option for everyone. Imagine some of your guests don’t get along; it wouldn’t be a good idea to get them close to one another at the same table. Instead, a traditional setting lets you pick and choose who sits next to who.
Yes, banquets create a homely atmosphere, but they also might make people feel cramped. Some guests prefer to have their own space at a table with a handful of others, rather than sandwiched between people.
All in all, it’s another catering option to think about. Wedding banquets definitely work well in some scenarios; it all depends on your guests. They are really good at small weddings, but you have more to think about with a big one. For now, add this to the list of possibilities when deciding what you’re going to do about food and catering on your wedding day.
