Buffett vs. Sit Down Dinner (Erin Court) interview

Omaha Brides.com recently sat down and interviewed Bernie who is the owner of Erin Court Reception Facility and catering. Omaha Brides.com conducted this interview for the purpose of answering some questions Brides have posted on this site concerning having a Buffet vs. a Sit Down Dinner at the Reception. The following is a transcript of that interview.

OB: When meeting with your Wedding couples do you recommend one style (buffet or sit down) over another?

Bernie: Actually no. We always leave it up to the Bride and Groom to tell us what they want. Ultimately it is up to them so I leave it up to them to have the final decision. I usually don't recommend one over the other.

OB: Do Brides and Grooms usually come to you knowing what they want or do they look for your guidance when making this decision about the dinner?

Bernie: You know it's funny. The decision to have a sit down dinner is usually already made before the Bride and Groom even start looking for a reception location. For some Brides and Grooms they won't even consider a reception site that doesn't offer the traditional sit-down dinner. These are usually the types of receptions that are going for the more upscale formal feel. So this is why we accommodate either way.

OB: I know you said that you like to leave this decision up to the Bride and Groom but lets say that a Bride and Groom ask for your suggestion. What is your recommendation?

Bernie: O.K. That is a tricky question that can only be answered after I have talked to the Bride and Groom about the overall feel that they want to project at the reception.

OB: All right then, after you've talked to the Bride and Groom, what are you looking for in their comments to help you offer a suggestion as to whether to have a sit-down or buffet style dinner?

Bernie: After talking with the Bride and Groom I can usually tell what kind of a feel they are going for. I met with a couple recently that told me they just wanted a very informal fun night. They were already married and were having their reception a few months later. Everything from the decorating to the dinner was going to be very casual. In this case I suggested the buffet.

OB: Are buffets usually considered more of a casual approach as opposed to sit-down?

Bernie: Of course, but that doesn't mean that a Bride and Groom can't have a buffet at a very formal event. We had a very formal event at the facility recently. Everything was very traditional and the Bride and Groom were well-established people in there 40?s. This was definitely a "be on your best behavior" kind of night. They opted for the buffet in order to allow their guest to eat what they wanted. In a way, they looked at the buffet as more of an advantage to enhance the more formal feel.

OB: What is the buffet vs. sit-down ratio throughout the year?

Bernie: 70% buffet 30% sit-down.

OB: Like most Omaha Wedding Vendors you are gracious enough to give the Bride and Groom their choice in a lot of things as they plan for their reception. But in your opinion what is the best route to take here when it comes to the decision as to whether or not to have a Sit-down or a Buffet style dinner?

Bernie: Honestly, it really makes no difference to us on what the Bride and Groom ultimately decide. We cook the food either way or the way it is served whether buffet or sit-down ultimately makes no difference.

OB: All right lets get right down to it. There has to be some pros and cons with both sit-down and buffet.

Bernie: Of course.

OB: For the benefit of the registered Brides on this website lets get right down to it. We are going to ask you to put your flexible nice Reception Hall and catering owner persona aside for a moment? O.K.

Bernie: O.K.

OB: Let's hear it, the pros vs. the cons for both sit-down and buffet style dinner?

Bernie: Sit Down Pros are that you can provide a real formal atmosphere for your guests. They don't have to wait in line at a buffet and the facility seems less chaotic.
The cons are that you are limited to what you can eat. Sit down dinners offer only what you are served. More food tends to go to waste when guest are served something they may not like. With a sit down dinner we will offer guests a choice of entree which generally means more work for the Bride and Groom trying to figure out before hand who wants what.

OB: Great answers Bernie. Now lets cover the pros and cons of buffet style dinners.

Bernie: Cons with buffet is that you'll end up with that line of people waiting to eat. This makes things seem pushy. In other words it gives the impression that you want to just get people through the line quickly. Buffets tend not to give off the more formal feel that someone may be expecting.
Pros with buffet are many. First, the guests get a choice on what they want to eat. Buffets offer a little more flexibility when it comes to food options. We can have anything from meat to pasta, fruits and veggies, to rolls and salad. Second, the guests will tend to pick out only the things they will eat and this will lead to less food waste. Third, buffets require less staff running around because instead of trying to hit every table you're only focusing on the buffet.

OB: Bernie, you?ve been a lot of help here. Omaha Brides.com would like to thank you for your time for this article. And for your time we would like to plug you by saying that you run an excellent facility. Brides can learn more about you by going to www.erincourt.com .

Bernie: Erin Court is a full service Reception facility including Bar and Catering. We also provide outside catering for anyone having an event anywhere in the city.

As Omaha Brides was wrapping up the interview with Bernie we asked him one more question.

OB: How can you avoid long lines at a buffet style dinner?

Bernie: We always recommend that you release the room by sections for buffet style dinners. This will lessen the long winding lines of people waiting to eat. Have your DJ or host couple walks around and release sections or tables one by one. This will keep the line short and will avoid the "long line"