Hotelier - Hotel Training Forum

I have always always taken the term 'banquet' for granted

I refer to the term banquets here as a function and not the department that handles F&B functions, meetings etc (and i personally belive that the Banquets as a department name is a bit of a misnomer)

Back to my question

01) ARE BANQUET FUNCTIONS ALWAYS FORMAL IN NATURE? I refer to a much used text by Lillicrap that describes banquet as a formal meal function.   How do you understand the term banquet (a) a formal meal function (b) any meal function - formal, less formal or informal (c) any food or beverage function not restricted to meals but even including cockail receptions, wine and cheese tasting parties, tea parties etc. Do meals and refrshmnt breaks at metings and conventions fall under banquets (as a function)?  

02) WHAT FACTORS MAKE A BANQUET formal

03) Can buffet form of food service be used in Banquet functions? If so does it not make the function less formal or even informal

04) Can banquets be described as informal? What are the factors absent that make the banquet informal?

05) A Christian wedding with banquet rounds including toasting and speeches followed by a buffet dinner would be described as what? - a formal or informal banquet (if there is anything ike a informal banquet)

06) Can stand up fork buffets such as those featured in Indian weddings be called banquet functions at all?

07) Are finger buffets expected to be consumed standing or sitting barring the occasional table?

I need input from profesionals from all over as i asume this term may be understood differently round the world

Thanks for any or all help that i can get to clarify these issues as my lecturer has not been very helpful