Guide To Planning Appetizers For A Large Wedding Reception

Planning a wedding menu can be stressful, especially when it comes to figuring out how much food to order. A good rule of thumb is to calculate your appetizer number as 6 pieces for every guest in attendance. This means for a wedding of 220 people, you would need 1320 appetizers. However, it's always better to order more food than less, to ensure your guests are satisfied. You may want to offer more appetizers if there is a long gap between the ceremony and reception, or if guests are drinking alcohol and need food to soak it up!

How many appetisers to serve per person

When planning a wedding, it's important to ensure there will be enough food for your guests. As a general rule, it is better to order more food than less, to keep your guests satisfied. There are several factors to consider when determining how many appetisers to serve per person.

Firstly, the duration of the event will impact the number of appetisers required. For a short event of one hour, approximately 3-6 appetisers per person are adequate. However, for a longer event of 2-4 hours, you should plan for 4-6 appetisers per person. If your event is even longer, exceeding four hours, you may need up to 9 appetisers per person.

Secondly, the type of event and whether other food is being served will influence the quantity of appetisers. For a cocktail hour before a wedding dinner, 1-2 appetisers per person are sufficient. However, if appetisers are the only food being served at the reception, the recommended amount increases to 15-20 pieces per person. This ensures guests are adequately fed, especially if alcohol is being consumed.

Additionally, the time of day and duration between the ceremony and reception should be considered. If your wedding is during typical meal times, such as 7-8 pm, and guests have not had the chance to eat beforehand, providing more appetisers is advisable. Similarly, a longer gap between the ceremony and reception may require a greater number of appetisers to tide guests over until dinner.

When deciding on the number of appetisers, it is also worth taking into account the variety of options available. It is recommended to have at least 3 different appetisers, and one of each option per person is a good rule of thumb. This allows guests to sample different choices without feeling too full before the main meal.

In summary, for a wedding of 220 people, the number of appetisers per person can range from 1 to 20, depending on the duration of the event, the type of event, the time of day, and the variety of food offered. It is always better to have a few extra appetisers to avoid running out and keep your guests happy and well-fed throughout your special day.

How long the wedding is

When planning a wedding, it's important to consider the duration of the event to ensure that everything runs smoothly and guests are well taken care of. Here are some insights into how long a wedding with 220 guests should be:

The Wedding Ceremony

The wedding ceremony itself typically lasts between 30 minutes to an hour. This includes the entrance of the wedding party, the couple's grand entrance, and any rituals or traditions that are part of the ceremony. It is common for weddings to run 15-20 minutes behind schedule, but this time can be made up elsewhere during the event.

Cocktail Hour and Appetizers

After the ceremony, it's customary to have a cocktail hour where guests can unwind, socialise, and enjoy light refreshments before the reception. This usually lasts about an hour. During this time, the newlyweds might also greet their guests as they arrive at the reception venue.

The Wedding Reception

The reception is the main event where guests will celebrate and enjoy a variety of activities. The average wedding reception for 220 guests can last between four and seven hours. A reception should not be shorter than four hours to ensure that there is enough time for all the planned activities.

• Introductions and First Dance: 20-30 minutes. This includes the entrance of the wedding party and the couple's first dance as newlyweds.
• Dinner Service: 1.5-2 hours. This is a staple of the reception and includes activities such as toasts and speeches.
• Dancing: 1.5-2.5 hours. This includes ceremonial dances, such as the mother-son and father-daughter dances, and open dancing for all guests.
• Cake Cutting and Bouquet Toss: These traditions usually take place about an hour into the dancing.
• After-Party: Some couples choose to continue the celebration at a secondary location after the reception venue closes, which is often around 10 pm.

Appetizers for 220 Guests

When it comes to appetizers, it's important to ensure you have enough for your guests. A good rule of thumb is to provide 15-20 pieces of appetizers per person, especially if there is no main meal. This may seem like a lot, but people tend to snack more when socialising, and these appetizers will serve as their meal.

If you are concerned about costs, you could consider self-catering or choosing hearty, filling appetizers that can be more satisfying in smaller quantities. However, be mindful that your guests' comfort is a priority, and it is better to provide a proper meal or sufficient appetizers than to skimp and risk your guests leaving early to find food.

In summary, a wedding with 220 guests should be planned for a duration of approximately six hours, including the ceremony and reception. This allows for a smooth flow of events and ensures that your guests have a memorable time celebrating your special day.

How to avoid food waste

When it comes to planning a wedding, it's important to consider how much food to order to avoid waste. For a wedding with 220 people, ordering 15-20 appetizers per person may seem like too much, but it's important to remember that people tend to snack more when socialising and drinking alcohol. To avoid food waste while ensuring your guests are well-fed, consider the following:

Choose the right serveware or crockery

The size of your serveware can impact the amount of food wasted. Opting for smaller plates and bowls can help reduce waste as guests are likely to take smaller portions.

Select the menu wisely

While it's tempting to offer a wide variety of dishes, guests are unlikely to be able to taste everything. Opt for a more limited menu with smaller portions to reduce waste.

Choose a professional caterer

An experienced caterer will be able to advise on how much food is needed based on the number of guests and the duration of the event. They can also help with food waste management, such as taking leftovers to compost.

Ask guests to RSVP

Knowing the exact number of guests attending will help you and your caterer manage the food quantities better.

Instruct the servers to serve

Consider having servers bring food to the guests, especially the children and elderly. This way, they can ensure that guests receive the amount they ask for, reducing the likelihood of leftovers.

Choose a venue carefully

Some venues take food waste management seriously and may have suggestions for reducing waste. They may also have a better idea of the appropriate quantity of food needed based on their experience.

Be more careful with food preparation planning

Communicate with your caterer about preparing the right quantity of food and keeping waste to a minimum. Delegate this task to a trusted friend or family member to ensure it's handled efficiently.

Rethink the buffet

Buffets can be a significant source of food waste as guests tend to take more than they need and may not finish everything on their plates. Consider opting for a plated or served option instead.

Provide food to hotel staff and caterers

If there are leftovers, consider distributing them to the venue or catering staff, or even hungry suppliers. This ensures the food is enjoyed and doesn't go to waste.

Have a special section for kids

Children may prefer smaller portions and less spicy food. Having a separate menu for them can help ensure food is not wasted.

Display signs reminding guests to avoid waste

Place colourful signs near the dining area or tables, gently reminding guests to be mindful of their portions and to save food.

Serve in smaller quantities

Instruct servers to provide smaller portions to guests to avoid waste. This can be applied to children, adults, and the elderly alike.

Offer takeaway boxes for guests

Provide recyclable takeaway boxes for guests to take home leftovers, especially if there is a lot of food. This way, guests can enjoy their favourites again, and nothing goes to waste.

Different types of appetisers

When planning a wedding, one of the most important considerations is the food. Appetisers are a great way to keep your guests happy, especially during cocktail hour. Here are some ideas for different types of appetisers to serve at your wedding:

Passed appetisers

Passed appetisers, or appetisers that are walked around and offered to guests, are a great way to ensure your guests get a variety of options. Some ideas for passed appetisers include:

• Mini cheeseburgers
• Oysters
• French fries in cups
• Charcuterie cones
• Pizza
• Sushi
• Hanging pretzels with mustard and dipping sauces
• Fried chicken and waffle bites
• Dumplings in take-out boxes
• Mini tacos
• Tuna tartare cones
• Steak bites
• Crab cakes
• Hummus on cucumbers
• Mini lobster rolls
• Tomato and mozzarella skewers
• Mini caprese skewers
• Bacon-wrapped dates
• Spinach and artichoke stuffed mushrooms
• Deviled eggs
• Chicken satay with peanut sauce
• Shrimp with cocktail sauce
• Mini pizzas
• Fruit skewers
• Stuffed peppers
• Spanakopita
• Chicken and waffle sliders
• Jalapeño poppers
• Mini spring rolls
• Brie and raspberry bites
• Mozzarella sticks
• Crab cakes
• Bacon-wrapped shrimp

Stations and displays

Another option for appetisers is to set up food stations or displays where guests can help themselves. This can be a fun and interactive way to serve food, and it can also double as part of the decor. Some ideas for food stations or displays include:

• Charcuterie grazing board
• Individual charcuterie boards
• Brick oven pizza
• Sushi spread
• Hanging pretzel bar
• Dim sum station
• Crudo on spoons
• Dips in unique vessels, like bread bowls
• Mini grilled cheese with tomato soup
• Mini lobster rolls
• Antipasto skewers

Finger foods

Finger foods are a great option for weddings as they are easy to eat and can be passed around or displayed on platters. Some ideas for finger foods include:

• Mac and cheese bites
• Cucumber tea sandwiches
• Meatballs
• Sushi
• Mini pizzas
• Fruit skewers
• Stuffed peppers
• Spanakopita
• Chicken tenders
• Guacamole and chips
• Pigs in a blanket
• Stuffed avocado halves
• Teriyaki chicken skewers
• Olive tapenade crostini
• Stuffed mini peppers
• Antipasto skewers
• Dessert shooters
• Crostini with prosciutto and fig
• Coconut shrimp
• Tuna tartare
• Baked brie in phyllo dough
• Crostini with olive tapenade
• Chicken tenders

When planning your wedding appetisers, it's important to consider the number of guests you'll be serving and any dietary restrictions or allergies. A good rule of thumb is to provide 6-8 pieces per guest for a one-hour cocktail reception, and 12-15 pieces per guest for a 3-hour reception. Be sure to include a variety of options to cater to different tastes and dietary needs, such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

How to calculate the number of appetisers

When planning a wedding, it's essential to ensure that your guests are well-fed and satisfied. Here are some tips to help you calculate the number of appetisers for your big day:

Consider the duration of your event

The number of appetisers you'll need depends on how long your wedding will be. For a short event of about an hour, plan for 3-6 appetisers per person. If your wedding spans 2-3 hours, you'll need more, approximately 10-15 appetisers per person. For events longer than four hours, you should provide up to 20 appetisers per person, especially if guests are likely to use the appetisers as a meal replacement.

Think about the timing of the main course

If there's a long gap between the ceremony and the main course, your guests are likely to get hungry, so consider providing more appetisers to tide them over. On the other hand, if there's a short gap, you can get away with fewer appetisers.

Offer a variety of options

It's a good idea to provide a range of appetisers to cater to different tastes and dietary requirements. Aim for at least three choices, and if you need a large number of appetisers, consider offering even more variety. For example, if you need 120 appetisers, provide four different options for your guests.

Don't forget about portion size

The size of the appetisers matters too. Smaller bites can be served in higher quantities, while larger, more substantial appetisers should be served in lower quantities.

Be mindful of your guest count

The number of guests you're inviting will directly impact the number of appetisers you need. As a general rule, calculate your appetiser number as 6 pieces for every guest in attendance. So, for 220 people, you'd need 1320 appetisers.

Take into account other food options

If you're offering other food, such as a trail mix bar or a cake, your guests may fill up on those, and you can provide slightly fewer appetisers. However, if your wedding is during a typical meal time, your guests are likely to be hungry, and you should provide enough appetisers to function as a meal.

In summary, to calculate the number of appetisers for your wedding, consider the duration of your event, the timing of the main course, the variety of options, portion sizes, your guest count, and other food options available. By taking these factors into account, you can ensure your guests have a delightful dining experience at your wedding.

Frequently asked questions