How to time a Peterborough wedding breakfast buffet

Work backwards from the wedding breakfast

Sketch the day around the time you want the buffet to open. If people are travelling from a ceremony in the city centre to a reception in the Ortons, build in time for getting out of the ceremony, walking to cars, parking and finding the reception room. Guests who arrive first should know where to wait while the wedding party finishes photos.

Ask the photographer which group pictures need to happen before the meal and nominate someone who knows both families to gather people. A short written shot list makes it easier to move on when the venue is ready for guests.

Borrow this running order for a mid-afternoon meal

For a ceremony and reception at the same venue, this example gives you a starting point. Adjust it with your venue and catering team for the room, meal format and group size. Allow extra time if rooms need to be reset or suppliers share a narrow access route.

• 1.30 pm. Ceremony begins, with group photos and reception drinks afterwards.
• 3.15 pm. Guests take their seats and the organiser checks that everyone is ready.
• 3.30 pm. Buffet opens and the host calls tables in the agreed order.
• 4.30 pm. Speeches begin once the venue and food team confirm the room is ready.

Decide how guests will reach the serving table

Draw the buffet table, the first table to be called and the route back to the seats on your floor plan. Keep the queue clear of the photographer’s route, the bar and the doorway. For guests who find carrying a plate difficult, agree in advance who will offer help.

If you want canapés with drinks, include them in the brief as an earlier serving. Ask about setup timing for both parts of the day. In a venue with one access window, the team may need to bring everything in before guests arrive.

Agree what happens if the day runs late

Give the caterer one named person to contact if photos or speeches run over. Ask the venue where the setup can wait and agree who can approve a change to the serving time. The wedding couple can then stay with their guests while the venue and catering teams coordinate.

For a wedding buffet enquiry in Peterborough, share the venue, ceremony time, time guests can enter the room, numbers for the wedding breakfast and whether you also want evening food. A draft running order is enough to begin the conversation.