There are usually only two courses at a buffet table––the main course and a dessert/sweets. As such, you only need to put out two sizes of plates, a larger one for main course and a smaller one for dessert. Place the plates in two piles at each end of the buffet table, to encourage people to use both ends of the buffet table and avoid slower plate filling. Place both cutlery and serviettes/napkins next to the plate piles as well.