My h2b and I have been looking through the menu's for our venue and decided we would like Beef wellington for our main course along with whatever else came with it. When I told my mum she said I should have asked people what they want or chose a chicken dish. Personally I think giving each guest (approx 100) a choice of menu is just gonna cause more hassle, arranging 100 times what they each want 3 times. I also said that it was our wedding and we were paying the bill so it should be something we wanted.
What do you think? Am I wrong? Honest answers pls and what are you ladies doing? Forum Poll
Food choices
Should I give a choice of menu
Poll Results
Total Votes:
47
Yes
23%
No
64%
If they pay themselves
13%
Happily in love and can't wait to be married! xx
CommentAuthorMrsMcleish2B
I've had this dilema myself BUT thought exactly the same as you, to try and organise 60+ guests and different menu options would be a nightmare! Plus I have been to weddings with choices before and then everyone at the table is wingeing that they dont no what they ordered and wish they'd ordered what someone else has! Annoying to say the least! We have decided on Chicken because I personally don't like other meats and a veggie option and if somebody doesnt like it I hope they will polite enough to keep it to themselves lol xx
Wedding Day - 16th June 2012
CommentAuthorNicsquared
If I were able to I would give my guests a choice - but only if it didnt cost anything extra, but my venue wont let us have a choice. I do prefer having a choice but have never had a problem where there is no choice either! I would probably do some excel spreadsheet to organise it all which wouldnt be too bad.
I dont think beef is a bad choice and if people dont like it they can ask for a veggie option anyway!
There are so many people out there who will tell you
what you can't do.
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CommentAuthorOWB
Unless they have specific dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, or lactose intolerant then it's not compulsory to give guests a choice. Beef wellington is one of my favourites!
If only life could be one long tea break
CommentAuthorbecky -mrs firth
i say choice only cos beef wellington aint really a safe option, as it has mushrooms in! my h2b hates mushroom as alot of people do! a choice of menu aint really a problem a su give them a card wiv invites to tick n send back wiv rsvps n u just give numbers ot venue then x
Engaged 27th November 2010
Hen Do Newcastle 2nd June 2012
Marrying the man of my dreams 11th August 2012!
Honeymoon To Jamaica 14th October 2012
I agree with Nic. If people don't like the beef, then they can take the veggie option. Stick with what you want (great choice imo!) Hx
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CommentAuthormrs m
Thanks all! am still going down the no choice route at moment, though I may change my mind lol
Happily in love and can't wait to be married! xx
CommentAuthorKylee27
I'm the same as Becky, I would have said choice but that's only because I'm a fussy eater and not keen on beef. What others have said though makes sense though. Having to chase people to get them to decide what to eat sounds like a nightmare!!
Like my mum always said when we were little, "if you don't eat that then you'll have no pudding!" you could try that on the guests! Lol.xx
Can't wait to be married!
CommentAuthorHappilymarried Mrs G
If i were having a sit down meal then i probably would have chosen a menu with maybe 3 choices and sent out with the invites and asked for reply with the rsvp. Thats what my cousin did and also what my sister did and also what happened at h2b work xmas do where there was over 100 people in a marquee for a 3 course dinner and it seemed to work ok. I dont think i would like to chance giving 100+ guests one meal with no choice. But thats just my opinion.
CommentAuthorRags
My h2b thinks we should give people an option, but I think it's gonnA be hard enough to organise getting 50 meals and 3 veggies sorted with 1 choice. I have even said to have a veggie starter, meat or veggie main, and dairy free pud for all (I'm the dairy free).
it's funny you should post this - I have just text my venue to ask for a meeting to go through this exact dilemma with them!
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I have a gorgeous husband
Whats to do now
Theres no more wedding planning to do
CommentAuthormrs m
When 1 of my sister's got married we had the choice of what we had but we had to pay for our own, when my youngest sister got married she chose for everyone inc kids and we didn't pay.
I like the thought of giving them a choice just not the reality and the hassle lol
xx
Happily in love and can't wait to be married! xx
CommentAuthorRags
Dietary needs is different to I don't like that. so as long as everyone tells you their dietary need you have no problem. If they don't like mushrooms pick em out simples
I'm now a married woman
I have a gorgeous husband
Whats to do now
Theres no more wedding planning to do
CommentAuthorkrissy905
we aren't having a choice either my venue as provided about 7 different sit down meal choice as well as 3 hot buffets but I'm going to go with roast beef i think my niece is coeliac and they are providing her with different gravy and was also a good choice of Veggie options to i know i have at least 1 veggie we do get a choice of 3 sweets thought i that i have to pick from a list of about 10 thats an hard enough choice as it is
CommentAuthorlovelylainee
You can't please everyone so you are better off choosing what you like and having a vegetarian alternative available if needed which should guests who dont like beef prefer they can choose that. I am doing it that way with my guests to save on stress and fuss! xxx
I married the love of my life 23/06/2012
Our little boys are so cute!
CommentAuthorSweetchilli
I am offering an option of Beef, Chicken or Vegetarian but I'm only having a small wedding. I think a beef dish or vegetarian option is good for a larger wedding and less stressful for you.
CommentAuthorA.Bird2b
Luckily i don't have this problem as we've gone for a buffet, but I went to a wedding a few years ago where everyone was given the same and nobody cared. The waiters came and politely asked each table if anyone would prefer the veggie option before it was served and everyone enjoyed it. Honestly if I were getting a free meal anyway I would not make a fuss!
CommentAuthorKat831
Our venue charges us a surplus if we want to offer a choice of menu so I think we are going to settle for chicken
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CommentAuthorbarbie86
I would always give a choice if my venue would allow it. We're actually having a buffet main preciself for this reason, so that people can choose their main course, and have something they will enjoy. I was really put off by venues which didn't allow a choice, as it would probably have meant going with chicken, as a lot of our guests don't like red meat (or are fussy about how it's cooked ie won't touch it if it's medium-rare, which is how I eat it), and I personally find chicken boring, so wouldn't have enjoyed it. The options we're giving for the buffet are a chicken dish (TBC), steak, salmon, and a vegetarian option, as well as a selection of vegetable sides and salads.
I don't think offering an option as to be a massive hassle; I'd just send a card to each guest with the options, asking them to tick their choice, and send it back by a certain date; then just work out the numbers and send them to the venue.
Our guests are very important to us in our planning, and we wanted everyone to enjoy themselves and be well-fed; we didn't want people going hungry. Plus I didn't particularly want to spend £50 a head on a meal that half our guests might not eat.
CommentAuthorbecky -mrs firth
am payin £5 pp extra for the option, which i wud prefer to pay than hav any1 moanin sayin they dont like it or leave it n waste it all
Engaged 27th November 2010
Hen Do Newcastle 2nd June 2012
Marrying the man of my dreams 11th August 2012!
Honeymoon To Jamaica 14th October 2012
CommentAuthorAntonia9
id say give a choice also - not everyone likes beef. If you can (budget considering) id say give a choice of beef, chicken and veggie. That way people tick their choice on the invites, you never know people may all choice the beef in that case winner! but i think if you stuck with beef, there could be a few people with empty tummys and plates left full on the table.
Definately something i would seriously consider..... x
Cant wait to become Mrs Purdie x x x x
May 4th 2013 - The day i get to marry my best friend
CommentAuthorLittleMissBossy
I can't really answer the poll - I don't think you are wrong but it's a tricky one and one of the reasons why we went for a mixed spit. It's MY wedding and I am not that keen on chicken breast but I appreciate that not all people like other meat. Normally I'm all up for the 'take-it-or-leave-it-approach' but not only do I hate food waste but a set 3-5 course dinner costs shedloads of money (especially in comparison to a roast). So I am not prepared to throw out money like that just because people are picky. Beef wellington is extra tricky - I LOVE it and it's h2bs most favourite meal so it would always be a great choice for us. But the majority of people doesn't like rare meat - if a beef wellington is done properly it's medium-rare, I even like it blueish rare. And people can't choose if they like it well done, medium-rare or rare like with steak.
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CommentAuthorRags
My venue is a carvery ..... Do you think they'd let us do a set starter and pud and the carvery for the main....if yes what would the veggi option be?
I'm now a married woman
I have a gorgeous husband
Whats to do now
Theres no more wedding planning to do
CommentAuthorOfficially Mrs M
we don't get a choice with the venue but my sister in law to be gave us a choice of beef chicken or fish and 3 choices for the starter and dessert, by the time the wedding came round everyone had forgotten what they were getting (she wrote them on the inside of the place names instead)
i think one menu for all apart from vegetarian options should surfice i think beef wellington is lovely and don't know many people who wouldn't eat some of it
8th September 2012 I married my best friend
1st September 2014 our little family grew by one
Women are made to be loved, not understood. - Oscar Wilde
CommentAuthorJanie
everyone is going to have thier own opinion on this, i personally HATE going somewhere where there is no choice, and there is no way i would want this for a wedding either. Having a single option means anyone who doesnt like, or eat, or cant have that thing misses out and is going to be hungry. we actually took venues off our list of possibles for only allowing one menu option.
but as i say we all have different opinions, and much as i personally hate the idea it seems the done thing these days
Remember : To the world you may be just one person,
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CommentAuthorEcoFreak
If it costs extra then I wouldn't offer one - or if people want a choice they can pay for themselves IMO :) Obviously dietary needs/vegetarian options is different Xx
PS - beef wellington yum!
CommentAuthorJanie
it would be hard for us, I am diabetc and possibly coleiac (Wheat allergic at very least, also allergic to shellfish, menthol things and laods more) And have vegetarians... BUT i can fully understnad having only one choice if it costs more to have more, maybe people not wanting beef wellington could pay the difference?????
Remember : To the world you may be just one person,
BUT to one person you may just be THE WORLD x x x
CommentAuthorkrissy905
i went to my niece's wedding in the summer and that was a choice food was nice couldn't really remember what i ordered 4 months previously but they had put our choices on the back of the places setting my younger sister and her now husband still moaned about the food and went to maccy ds on the way to the evening reception and then told everyone when they got there (she is so rude some times and he is a totally d**k anyway) sometimes even the choice isn't good enough for some people even when they get exactly what they ordered moaners will always moan its in there personality i would go with what you like and what you can afford. i was originally a bit worried about just having the roast beef but everyone i have mentioned it to is happy with that and its my favourite lol
CommentAuthorJanie
can i come? I never had beef wellington lmao.
I Would say go with whatever you want to, as said theyre getting a free meal so they should have the manners not to moan anyway!
Remember : To the world you may be just one person,
BUT to one person you may just be THE WORLD x x x
CommentAuthorPB
We are not giving our guests an option and are probably having beef too.We could give them an option but a)it would cost more and b) I think it would be a nightmare.Whenever i have been to functions where you have chosen your meal ages beforehand you get the problem of people not remembering what they have ordered or fancying the other option when they see it etc. So i say keep it simple and give everyone the same-no-ones going to starve to death lol! If they don't like beef then they can just eat the veggies(i am not that keen on any meat but am not a veggie so i usually just have a little meat and fill up on veggies!)We will also be offering a veggie option.If people really are that limited that they don't eat either beef/veggies or the veggie option then i would imagine they will know to eat before they come or bring emergency rations and fill up on pudding/cake/chip barmcakes in the evening! xxx
CommentAuthormym72
I suppose it depends on the venue - but I really think venues should offer a choice of meal, after all it costs enough lol. We were lucky because we had a great venue - and our wedding menu originally consisted of 9 choices per course, then we had to limit these down to 5 choices per course for our guests, so it gave guests some variety and catered for fussy eaters as well lol.
CommentAuthorMariephiz
we're not giving an option they'll eat what they're given or go hungry! Our meals can either be a set meal or different ones, but the cheapest meal plans mean that per person for the whole day is going to cost £59 each. So no way am I giving them choice, I'd be gutted if people ordered the expensive dishes, and price got bumped up!!
CommentAuthormym72
I think venues put the prices up of certain dishes just because it's a wedding usually. After all, especially if you're having a big wedding, how can they expect every guest to like the same thing???
CommentAuthorOfficially Mrs M
our best man is diabetic and celiac so we are supplying him with the wheat and sugar free equivelants of our menu.
we have:
crayfish and prawn cocktail (V - Tomato Soup (or for those who don't like/can't eat prawns like my H2B)
Beef roast dinner with yorkshire puddings and horseradish cream and selection of veg (V - TBC (don't think anyone is a veggie so i don't think there will be an issue here))
Baileys profiteroles
the veggie option is really only for those who don't want the main as we get veggie options free with the hotel, i'm not putting another option on for those who don't like it as their is an extra charge which to be honest we can't afford.
8th September 2012 I married my best friend
1st September 2014 our little family grew by one
Women are made to be loved, not understood. - Oscar Wilde
CommentAuthorLolaMay0412
We aren't giving our guests a choice. The only person that gets a real choice is me cos I am the vegetarian of the gang, and the only one so I get my own special meal! haha. I know my sister won't eat anything that we pick, and she wouldn't like any of the choices (very fussy eater) and there are others in our group that would never be able to remember what they had chosen if they had a choice.
CommentAuthorLisa Ramos
My attitude is 'you get what your given'! You won't please everybody and it normally costs more to offer a choice, so I wouldn't bother.
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CommentAuthorbecky -mrs firth
this is my personaly think it looks tight without a choice, but this is just my opinion and every1 has a different one,
Engaged 27th November 2010
Hen Do Newcastle 2nd June 2012
Marrying the man of my dreams 11th August 2012!
Honeymoon To Jamaica 14th October 2012
CommentAuthorClareS
OO good choice on beef wellington, that's what we're having I think :) When I send the invites I'll be putting a menu choice in, basically they can choose the meat or the veggie option for the starter and the main course. That's as much choice as they're getting lol. (Unless they have a strict diet requirement). Good thing about this is, if they can't be bothered to reply with menu options, they're not being catered for lol
CommentAuthorClareS
You've just given me a great idea after reading through this thread. On the table I think I'll place a reminder of the menu, and on the rear put each guests name on that table with their choices :)
CommentAuthornatalie2614
I would give people a choice if costing allowed, otherwise you get what you're given. At the end of the day they should be privilaged to attend your wedding and not moan about food, although I know people do. We're having a buffet so we hopefully wont have this issue.
Married my best friend 05.04.2013
CommentAuthoremmaaa
Think only one venue we looked at would have let us have a choice (apart from veggie and dietary requierments anyway) for free, and that was probably because it was mainly a pub restaurant. It annoys me a lot to be honest, I have friends who are fussy eaters (I'm one myself!) and the idea that we're splashing out over the odds anyway (wedding prices and all that) for food that potentially isn't going to get eaten really irritates me. Not quite at the stage where we have to decide whether we're paying the extra for having a second option, but I definitely don't think there's anything wrong with just offering one choice, as long as it's not going to make you mad if a lot of the food gets wasted.
CommentAuthorJilly17
You cant please everyone no matter what you do and I would love beef wellington! I would use the vegeterian option as a choice as for us the additional costs involved made a further choice cost prohibitive.
CommentAuthorJilly17
In an ideal world I would give guests a choice and would be happy to arrange the stationnery involved but only if we could afford it
CommentAuthorlala "mod" bunni
we have to choose from various dishes but there is no way im giving them a choice .... my venue is being really good though and have said that my 2 nieces ..1 veggie the other allergic to alot of things .... can choose their own meal if there is nothing on the menus choices that they either like or can eat
i wouldn't give them a choice but as a fussy eater i kinda agree with mum by putting on a chicken meal for everyone but if you really want the wellington ask for it for just you and h2b as it's your day and you should feel spoilt. that's what i'm doing as i'm not keen on what i want to offer everyone else
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CommentAuthorMrs Stocks 2B
we are paying an extra £3 pp for 2 choices which i feel is the best then people can decide we are having - soup or stuffed mushroom chicen or beef profitarolls or mini pots of things lol
CommentAuthorMrsSaraParry!
we're not giving guests an option, we're just picking what we think people will like (except the starter, where we're having what we want!) Starter - Spiced Poached Pear with Yorkshire blue cheese, Parma ham & hazelnut Pesto Main - Breast of Chicken with Leek Mash, Grain mustard cream & crispy bacon Dessert - Passion Fruit Mousse With shortbread biscuit To be followed by Coffee and Mints.
To be fair, the only other options for the main are seared salmon, which is a bit dody as lots of people dont like fish, or a veggie option which I don't think will do gown well with the carnivores amongst the guests! lol
If you want wellington then go for it, but I would say that chicken might be the safer option... sorry if thats not what you want to hear :o( But I definitely wouldn't be offering guests a choice if it costs more xxxx
