"How to Delight Guests with the Wedding Reception Course Menu? What Factors Could Lead to Their Dissatisfaction?"

2019.01.08 published

Evaluating Wedding Cuisine!

When it comes to what guests attending a wedding are concerned about

☑ The food and drinks (alcohol) at the reception

☑ (For women) Floral arrangements

☑ Favors

These three points are what particularly stand out.

While friends and brides may also be concerned about the dress and presentations, ultimately, humans are quite practical beings, and they tend to focus on aspects that directly affect them.

This may be a bias, but especially among friends or colleagues of the groom, the quality and richness of the food and drinks seem to directly correlate with the overall evaluation of the wedding.

Among women, I've heard they often compare with one another, saying things like "During her wedding...." or "When it was this girl's turn....” ><

Recently, many brides have said things like, “I chose the wedding venue primarily based on the deliciousness and satisfaction of the food!” or “I decided not to skimp on the food!”

However, what actually satisfies guests, and what leaves them disappointed?

I collected genuine opinions through a poll on marry's Instagram stories, so I’d like to share those insights♩

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 1

When abalone, foie gras, Kobe beef, lobster, and shark fin were all served in the course, it was so delicious that I was very satisfied.

Conversely, when there was no meat course, only fish, I was disappointed with the food. 😢

The couple served BBQ instead of a meat course.

(Although BBQ meat was provided, it was served to everyone, so it got cold 😢)

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 2

The combination of Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine was the most difficult part.

There were so many dishes, and I found myself thinking, "I just had Peking duck, and now there's filet steak and sushi? And a dessert buffet to finish?"

I think a mix of Japanese and Western cuisines is fine,

but that day, we went from Peking duck → shark fin soup → filet steak → sushi and miso soup, which was such an overwhelming progression that I couldn’t really wrap my head around it… 😅

While I understand they wanted to provide a unique experience with this unprecedented mixed course, I felt it would’ve been better if they had unified the theme with French, Italian, or Japanese cuisine as it would have been more enjoyable as a meal.

For those who can appreciate the quality of the dishes, it's clear, and those who don’t care won’t mind, so I believe it’s best to choose what you think is delicious and what you want everyone to try!

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 3

The quality of the main meat dish really reflects whether money was spent or skimped on.

There was one time when duck meat was served, but overall, the meal felt rather poor, and I honestly felt it was a cost-cutting effort.

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 4

They cut the palate-cleansing sorbet, and instead of bread, older guests had regular servings of rice and were served fish as the main dish without meat.

(I asked my husband’s grandparents if they could eat a full course, and they said they couldn't, so we went with a half-course focused on fish.)

Furthermore, because my grandfather has difficulty with dentures and only eats with his gums, I thought it would be tough for him alone, so I asked to have his dishes cut into bite-sized pieces for easier consumption!

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 5

I don’t really feel the cost or savings aspect, but I do sense a significant difference between the impressions of delicious dishes and those that didn’t stand out much.

Just like in the New Year’s special ranking checks, if you have high-quality ingredients and inexpensive ones, the difference becomes apparent when you sample them… 💦

When I held my banquet, I did taste-testing and changed dishes when I found something delicious that made me satisfied, even if it meant a higher price.

I think memorable presentation and taste are important 😳

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 6

When unusual ingredients are used, it definitely raises excitement and makes one feel pampered ❤️

Specifically, dishes with filet mignon or spiny lobster come to mind.

One friend, who isn’t fond of it, mentioned her excitement about the presence of foie gras💕

Also, I appreciated the original dishes, or those made with local specialties from the couple's birthplace, as it felt like they put in a lot of thought ❤️

I’ve never been disappointed by a banquet I attended in the past, but if the quantity and variety of dishes are low, I might think, “Did they skimp?” 💦

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 7

If the number of dishes is small, I think they’re just being cheap (laughs).

Additionally, if the menu includes rarer delicacies or prestigious beef, I get excited.

In short, it seems to revolve around the expectations set by the number of dishes and the menu!

The noticeable differences arise in appetizers served before the main course.

If the course only includes appetizers, soup, fish, meat, and dessert, it feels like there’s not enough.

When it’s ample, it often includes amuse-bouche, appetizers, soup, fish, palate cleansers, meat, red rice to finish, wedding cake, and a dessert buffet!

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 8

At a banquet I previously attended, the selection of drinks was extremely limited, and it was clear that they had skimped.

Particularly, there was very little alcohol, and after the toast drink, it felt like I could only have juice for the whole time, which made the party feel very dull.

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 9

Prior to my own wedding, I only attended after-parties and wedding parties, but at a wedding party where the attendance fee was higher than the after-party,

when sandwiches, snacks, and donuts from a cheap donut shop were served, it disappointed me as I expected more given the groom was a chef.

(Plus, when the groom and bride said, "You get only one each!" with a laugh, I was even more surprised 😅)

In our case, my husband had attended many weddings and insisted that “food makes an impression for men!”, so we both prioritized finding a venue known for its delicious food.

We chose Nogikaiten, where delicious chawanmushi, Ise lobster, and matcha macarons were well-received by guests of various ages.

Considering that there were attendees who required dialysis and had allergies, it is also important to see if they can accommodate requests like serving food with lower salt content while maintaining the appearance!

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 10

I’m simply satisfied if the food is delicious 😋

However, the variety of dishes and the abundance of drinks tends to enhance my satisfaction!

Even if luxurious ingredients are used, I don’t usually check the menu closely, so receiving a lot of dishes gives me that pleasant surprise of "There’s still more!"

While food is essential, I believe the richness of drinks is more easily the differentiator compared to other weddings.

If soft drinks are just orange juice and oolong tea, it feels a bit lacking, and I would be disappointed if there are no cocktails 😞

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 11

At one wedding, the drinks included only oolong tea, cola, orange juice, and beer.

Given all the discussions online about how to avoid cutting corners on food and drinks,

I find it fascinating that someone would choose to use duck or chicken, pork for meat, and the lowest-tier options for drinks!

I personally couldn’t do that… ><

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 12

Regarding wedding cuisine, I've felt that having a standout, memorable dish is generally better than just a large quantity of food!

At weddings where the tables were filled with dishes that guests could not finish, even if the ingredients were of high quality, the evaluations were low across the board, from young to old.

While having many options creates an impression of extravagance, by the time one finishes the first dish and reaches for the next, it might have cooled down or dried out,

coupled with the inability to truly enjoy conversations and eat at one’s own pace, this frustration leads to dissatisfaction.

For my own wedding, I did not increase the number of dishes excessively, and the menu wasn’t necessarily filled with high-end ingredients. Instead, I focused on ensuring that one meat and one fish dish and one dessert would be particularly outstanding, and this approach was effective. After the wedding, opinions about the food often highlighted how delicious the meat or fish was or how incredible that dessert was, making the quality of those standout dishes frequently discussed.

As for the guests who evaluated the food, they enjoyed it at the right temperature where warm dishes were served warm and cold dishes remained cold, enjoying conversation while savoring their meals at just the right timing.

I believe that emphasizing one unique dish to be enjoyed instead of overwhelming guests with numerous extravagant dishes leads to higher satisfaction among attendees! 🙌🏻💖

By the way, I anticipated a divide between fish lovers and meat lovers, so I aimed to please both palates by featuring both the fish and meat dishes prominently.

Honestly, with the minimum essential number of menu items and the lower-tier drinks, my wedding targeted savings on everything except the fish, meat, and dessert. Yet, guests left extremely satisfied! ♡✨

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 13

The satisfaction level changes based on whether the food is freshly prepared or not.

At some venues, it’s disappointing when appetizers are already laid out on the table before guests are even seated.

As for pricing, whether the meat is beef or something else typically stands out as a deciding factor.

Even the price varies based on whether the beef is domestic or import, so I think it’s safest to at least go for beef.

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 14

The number of dishes correlates with satisfaction levels.

Moreover, cold dishes are disappointing, while freshly baked warm bread brings comfort!

Drinks are also worth noting alongside dishes. If there’s a limited selection, it might seem like they cut corners, which is nerve-wracking. I view the drinks served alongside the food as a set.

I apologize for the poorly worded explanation! I’ve had experiences where warm dishes had cooled down by the time they reached me, leaving a disappointing impression.

I understand staff are busy, but I can't help but wish they could manage to serve drinks and food as quickly as possible!

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 15

I recall feeling that there was a cost-saving effort when the menu had only salad for the appetizer, corn soup, and a cold roast pork for the main dish.

The menu was something that could easily be found at a family restaurant, and I remember feeling let down. Thus, I chose to be particular about the number of items, temperature, and of course, taste for the venue!

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 16

Guests who have experienced their own weddings likely have a fair idea about the price from the quality of ingredients and the number of dishes. 😅

Since food is something that guests look forward to, I actually preferred to choose a course after tasting it and finding it delicious!

In exchange, I opted for fewer alcoholic drink options to save a bit! (As many guests arrived by car.)

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 17

While it has been a while since I attended a banquet, the memories of delicious main dishes (like tender meat)

and cute, tasty desserts significantly elevated my excitement as a guest!

I believe that whether the food was good or not alters the overall impression of the banquet for attendees!

* Conversely, at an after-party where the food resembled izakaya-style offerings,

perhaps it didn’t bother those who attended from the start, but for someone who joined in just for the after-party, the food left a less-than-stellar impression.

This experience reaffirmed the importance of the food served on the actual wedding day!

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 18

I have attended about five weddings in the past!

As I’m considering my own ceremony as well, based on what I've gleaned about costs, I discovered that keeping overall wedding expenses low directly affects dining quality.

• At cheaper venues, food is generally unappetizing.

• At more affordable venues, the number of dishes served is noticeably less.

• For buffet-style settings (as opposed to a conventional ceremony),

the main courses feel like they offer only below-par appetizers that leave a disappointing impression.

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 19

I thought, "This is expensive!" when a large foie gras plate appeared. I was amazed!

When I glanced at the menu and saw truffles or caviar listed even briefly, I thought of how wonderful that was.

When the red rice and osukiyaki were served at the end, I felt relieved and knew that would incur extra charges, leading me to think it must've cost a lot!

Although I haven’t attended any friend’s weddings where they cut costs, there were dishes of dubious quality that made me think, "How could they have served this?"

I wonder whether they said in discussions to change that dish during planning…

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 20

My friends love good food and usually don't have a notion of skimping on the menu, so I haven’t often encountered weddings where the cuisine was poor.

However, the food always becomes a topic of discussion every time.

I experienced just one wedding where I questioned if the dishes fell under the standard menu. Honestly, it wasn’t tasty.

While I believe everyone has different values, that particular wedding stuck with me in a negative way.

Even though everything else was great, the food stood out for all the wrong reasons.

For my own wedding, I definitely wanted guests to leave feeling satisfied. I wanted to prioritize their experience over my own, which is why I immediately opted to upgrade the food quality.

Overall, I focused on food when choosing the venue.

Since we chose a traditional ceremony, we selected Japanese cuisine, which felt unique, and afterwards I received numerous compliments about the food.

Ultimately, it boils down to what you want to spend your money on the most.

Whether that’s for your guests or for yourselves, differences in values are certainly valid.

While budgets certainly play a role, I highly recommend trying potential menu options before making decisions.

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 21

If the number of dishes is noticeably low, or if chicken is served as the main meat, one might think, “They must have cut costs…” (>_<)

On the other hand, not having a dessert buffet doesn’t necessarily give off a cheap impression, I believe!

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 22

It’s wonderful to have main dishes featuring items like foie gras or truffles that aren’t commonly consumed in daily life!

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 23

The variety was standard, but I once experienced a situation where the portions were very small.

The appetizers were scant, and the wedding cake was cut into tiny slices, only paired with a small scoop of ice cream.

It felt as though they had significantly cut costs regarding the guests.

What felt luxurious was:

☑ A variety of five appetizer selections that were all delicious with adequate portions.

☑ The fish main course included shrimp.

☑ There was a dessert buffet where I could indulge.

That wedding left me very satisfied. A day later, I learned from a friend that the cost per person actually exceeded what they had given as a gift!

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 24

Regarding the issue of wedding cuisine—

It could just be our local context, but there are limited venues, which means I might attend multiple banquets at the same venue.

This frequently leads to a reasonable expectation of the menu offerings, so it becomes easier to guess when costs are cut or when more is spent 😂

While the quality of cuisine is certainly a factor, the temperature at which the food is served matters even more.

It’s quite disheartening to see what should have been served warm come out cold. (laughs)

While I know that the staff is busy, I also wonder whether it might help to communicate a small request for expediting the beverages or meals if possible 🙌

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 25

Young guests tend to anticipate French cuisine or a dessert buffet, wouldn’t you agree?

Having worked part-time at a wedding venue, I often see many guests thrilled at weddings that feature a dessert buffet alongside a rice porridge buffet!

During times when guests get to choose their meat for the main dish, they also enjoy exchanging tastes with each other.

As for those with allergies, if they mostly find only dishes that they're allergic to, it can feel somewhat isolating as their food differs largely from that of other guests (this is just my speculation).

Guest Evaluation of Wedding Cuisine 26

In my own case, the most basic course didn’t include beef ( >_<)

Since I have firsthand experience, I also feel that when dishes with deer meat are served, I think, “Ah, they cut costs.” (laughs) However,

If they increased the variety of desserts or the number of dishes, I believe that would boost satisfaction (^ -^)

Personally, even with fewer dishes, I feel immensely happy with a dessert buffet, leading to high levels of satisfaction!

I Want to Provide Delicious Cuisine♡

I've presented all the opinions received about the satisfaction and dissatisfaction with wedding course meals＊

There were various opinions, but to summarize:

☑ Using beef generally provides a sense of assurance.

☑ Including foie gras creates an impression of luxury.

☑ Having delicious amuse-bouche and appetizers increases overall satisfaction.

Many comments reflected these sentiments.

These are aspects that can be adjusted based on the plan, but if the food is cold or simply not tasty, that’s an issue that transcends planning levels — it’s a venue-related problem.

(Venues known for being lackluster likely remain so, even with the highest-ranked plans.)

If possible, attend bridal fairs that include tastings to assess the flavors with your own palate.

Remember that weddings aren’t merely venues to eat; they're indeed spaces for “hospitality!”♡

I hope guests enjoy delicious dishes, leading to happiness from within!♡