Feasting 100 Guests: A Guide To Planning The Perfect Dinner Wedding Reception

When planning a dinner wedding for 100 people, it's important to consider the duration of the dinner itself. One hour to one hour and a half is a standard duration for dinner at a wedding, with some sources suggesting that 45 minutes is sufficient for 100 people to get through the line and start eating. However, it's worth noting that this may vary depending on the number of guests, the type of food, and the venue layout.

Dinner duration for 100 guests is 1-1.5 hours

The dinner duration for 100 guests is 1-1.5 hours. The earlier the music starts, the earlier the people get their butts moving! Some even skip dinner!

Two hours sounds so long to me for dinner, but I've also seen it multiple places online, too. Mrs. Deviled Egg says that it should only take about 45 minutes if you have 100 people. Have your DJ or coordinator dismiss 2 at a time so they don't have to wait in a long line. By the time the last person goes through the line, it should only be about 15-20 minutes, leaving 25-30 minutes for people to eat.

I worked at a banquet hall and 1-1.5 hours is standard. Sunset photo can be done while your guests are dancing together. My served buffet with two lines and 150 guests lasted about an hour and a half-two hours. I would say plan yours to last an hour and a half, as well.

For those in the thick of wedding planning, we've got you! Please read our new rules + FAQ! I'm working on our day-of timeline and I'm struggling with the timing of dinner -- duration, not when it should start. We are doing two stations, so like a staffed buffet but two separate stations with two different menus -- people can go to one or both, etc. Estimating 100 guests. How long should dinner last? An hour? Hour and a half? Speeches will be before dinner starts, since our ceremony and cocktail hour will be on the early side.

Speeches and cocktail hour precede dinner

Speeches will be before dinner starts, since the ceremony and cocktail hour will be on the early side.

Two hours sounds long to me for dinner, but 1-1.5 hours is standard according to one source. Another source suggests that 45 minutes should be enough for 100 people to get through the line, leaving 25-30 minutes for people to eat.

One person says that a served buffet with two lines and 150 guests lasted about an hour and a half to two hours. Another source suggests that 1 hour 10 minutes should be enough for everyone to get their food and eat.

One person says that a buffet line for 220 people took about 45 minutes to complete.

One person says that speeches will be before dinner starts, since the ceremony and cocktail hour will be on the early side.

Two-station buffet with two menus

For a two-station buffet with two menus, you can plan for dinner to last 1-1.5 hours for 100 guests. This timing allows for speeches before dinner starts and dancing to start early.

To manage the flow of guests, consider having your DJ or coordinator dismiss 2 at a time to avoid long lines. This way, by the time the last person goes through the line, it should only take 15-20 minutes, leaving 25-30 minutes for people to eat.

For a buffet with two lines and 150 guests, dinner lasted about an hour and a half to two hours. Planning for a slightly longer duration ensures that guests have ample time to enjoy the food and sneak out for sunset photos during part of dinner, as some couples do.

It's important to feel out the timing and consider the flow of the event to ensure a smooth and enjoyable dinner experience for your guests.

Sunset photos during dinner

Sunset photos can be taken during dinner, or as soon as you finish dinner, while everyone else is eating.

If you have 100 people at your wedding, it is recommended that dinner lasts 1 hour to 1 hour and a half. This is because it takes 20 minutes for everyone to get through the line and 1 hour and 10 minutes for everyone to get their food and eat.

If you want to take sunset photos, it is best to plan your dinner to last an hour and a half, as this will give you enough time to sneak out and take the photos. You can also take the photos while your guests are dancing together.

To ensure that your guests don't have to wait in a long line, it is recommended that you have your DJ or coordinator dismiss 2 at a time. This way, by the time the last person goes through the line, it should only be about 15-20 minutes, leaving 25-30 minutes for people to eat.

Time for guests to get through line and eat

For 100 people, it should take about 45 minutes for guests to get through the line and eat. To avoid long lines, have your DJ or coordinator dismiss 2 people at a time. By the time the last person goes through the line, it should only be about 15-20 minutes, leaving 25-30 minutes for people to eat.

For a buffet, it is recommended to plan for 1.5 hours. For a seated dinner, 1 hour is standard. The earlier the music starts, the earlier the people get their butts moving!

Two hours sounds long to some, but it is a standard time for dinner at a banquet hall. Some even skip dinner!

For a buffet with two lines and 150 guests, it took about an hour and a half to two hours. My friend’s wedding took about 45 minutes for roughly 220 people to get through the buffet line (not including time to actually eat the food).

Speeches will be before dinner starts, since the ceremony and cocktail hour will be on the early side.

Frequently asked questions