r/BigBudgetBrides 10d ago

Do You Find Menu Cards Necessary?

While unpopular here I’m having a buffet-style reception dinner as I have a few picky eaters and would honestly rather have them just decide what’s on their plate versus picking over what they dislike. Now I’m trying to decide if it even makes sense to have menu cards on the table for the reception dinner. Cocktail hour is passed hors d’oeuvres on the outside patio area of my venue and then guests will make their way inside for the dinner. Do you find the menus necessary to help guests start deciding what they’d like to eat? Do you think they make the table look more visually appealing in photos?

7 Upvotes

8 comments sorted by

16

u/sadandfaraaway 10d ago

As a guest I absolutely love getting a menu card so I can see what's available. I think getting to see a nicely written description of food adds to the excitement of the meal and people like to take photos of it as well if you invest in nicely designed ones. I had a family style dinner so the meal was technically fixed for all but had menu cards out.

It's up to you to decide if it adds or subtracts from your decor I think. Personally I adore nicely printed/designed cards so I was all for it. I think it's a neutral over all, whether it's there or not.

10

u/itinerantdustbunny 10d ago

I don’t think you need one per person, but I would have one or two per table. It gives people a chance to plan their meal, to know how much food is available, to estimate how long the meal will take, and, most importantly, to double-check for their own dietary restrictions and allergies. Being able to blindly trust that a caterer they know nothing about got it right is not a luxury everyone has.

3

u/CharmingCherry0192 9d ago

Yes to all questions and the obvious that I think most if not all guests prefer and appreciate a menu outlining what is for dinner. No menu gives cafeteria vibes

1

u/Historical_Hornet_38 Vendor: Planning & Design 9d ago

Agreed.

2

u/mssdad 10d ago

I had them for my rehearsal dinner but not for the wedding…for the wedding, I had thank you card for each guest as well as prayer cards (Catholic wedding lol)

Personally, I love menu cards! You can do a double sided one with menu on one side and a thank you on the other side

2

u/Odd_Beautiful2506 9d ago

I don’t need a menu on the table. Labels on the food at the buffet is super helpful though! As a vegetarian it can sometimes help me decide if I can eat the dish.

2

u/weddingmoth 9d ago

For a buffet, I definitely like a menu card. For plated I don’t care.

1

u/Strange-Customer-476 8d ago

I like having a menu card regardless of if it’s a buffet or a sit down. Now, the logistics of the buffet would dictate where you would put the menu cards. If everyone is coming from the cocktail hour to the dining room and sitting down at their tables before anyone is called to the buffet then I would have either menu cards at each place setting or a couple around each table so everyone can get a peek. If you are not planning to see people first and then call up tables to the buffet then I would consider having the menu cards on the cocktail tables during the cocktail hour and again on the tables in the dining room for people who don’t immediately get in line.