50th Anniversary Buffet Setup Suggestions

Serving a buffet meal during a "Golden Anniversary" celebration allows your guests to take the foods they want and leave the rest, which may result in less waste. It also gets guests up from their chairs (to stand in line), which may allow for more interaction, creating a livelier, more social party. Choose a setup that makes sense for the space and the couple celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Layout

Choose the layout based on available tables and the space of the room. For a smaller gathering in your home, use smaller tables that you can line up around the room, out of the way. Keep the tables off the wall if possible so that guests can access the food from either side of the table, making the line go faster. Use a large kitchen island in this manner as well.

Use one large table to house everything or set up stations. This will depend on space and your preference. For a long, wide table, you might want platters on either side with the same dishes so guests can move quickly by accessing either side. Another option is to set up stations. One station can house appetizers, one for entrees, side dishes, condiments, desserts and one for beverages.

Food Placement

Set your food up in a logical order. Appetizers can be served on serving trays you can carry around while guests are arriving and mingling. This gives you the opportunity to mingle with each guest as well as pass the time while everyone is arriving. If this is your anniversary, assign the task to friends, children or grandchildren who don't mind helping so that you can spend your time socializing.

Entrees should be placed before side dishes. If you are utilizing multiple tables, have the first table set up with entree dishes. Use another table for side dishes, then another for condiments. Set up a separate area as a beverage station. Keep pathways clear from the kitchen to the buffet to replenish empty dishes and make intermittent cleanup easier and less obvious. Consider the traffic flow when setting up your food stations or placement.

Presentation

Presentation is where you can get creative and use the buffet setup to your advantage. Include photos of the couple framed in gold in the center of the tables. Or, use gold-rimmed dishes to serve the food. Place silk ivy with gold (spray-paint them if you have to) roses down the center of the tables. Bunches of balloons can be weighted on the tables. Use the colors of the party -- include gold -- and add a "50th Anniversary" balloon to the center group of balloons.

Choose a variety of foods that feature different colors and textures. Include vegetarian dishes for those who don't like meat.

Consider stacking champagne flutes on the dessert or beverage table.

Keep clean dishes readily available at every station. Have someone in charge of removing dirty dishes promptly to keep the party atmosphere festive and not bogged down by a mess.