My friends' wedding was held at a very expensive golf club. (I knew the prices as DH and I had considered it for our own wedding only two years prior. We ultimately vetoed it as the staff seemed very rude and snobbish).
There were nine tables of guests for the buffet reception. When the main course was announced, tables 1-3 were called to go up first. We were table four. When tables 4-6 were called up there was hardly any food left, so needless to say none of us had plates piled high as those on tables 1-3 had had. They replenished the food for tables 7-9.
When the dessert was announced, tables 7-9 were called first this time, and commenced to pile their plates high once again. Same story as before - tables 4-6 were left with barely anything, and the serving staff rationed out our portions; something they obviously didn't do for tables 7-9 or 1-3. The food was replenished for tables 1-3.
Not surprisingly, tables 4-6 emptied out pretty quickly after the "meal" was finished as we were all so pissed off and hungry. We found out later that we weren't the only ones to stop at various restaurants on the way home for a proper meal as we were all still very hungry.
This was the same couple that woefully undercatered their engagement party. When we arrived there were some bowls of chips on the various tables in the backyard. A while later a few trays of party pies, sausage rolls and mini quiches came around. DH and I didn't eat much as we didn't want to fill up before the main food was served. Our mistake - turns out the pies/sausage rolls/quiches were the main (only) food, aside from the engagement cake. A trip to Sizzler on the way home was required.
All of this was completely out of the norm for any party/gathering/function/wedding I've ever been too. 20 years later I still have no idea why this couple and their parents failed to feed their guests properly at not one, but two, major events. (We've since lost touch so I don't know if they continue to fail in this area). I've been to weddings at much cheaper locations with buffet meals, and they've always had heaps of leftover food. Maybe the friends and the golf club "caterers" could learn something from them.