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Planning a wedding comes with a lot of challenges, and one of the most important aspects is ensuring that there is enough food for all your guests. While it is difficult to predict the exact number of guests who will attend, it is generally agreed that around 75-85% of invitees will show up. This can vary depending on factors such as the location, time of year, and formality of the event. To ensure that your guests are satisfied, it is recommended to order more food than you think you need. When it comes to the food itself, there are many options to choose from, such as a plated dinner, buffet, food stations, or a potluck. Couples can also expect to order 4-6 ounces of sides per guest and 6-8 ounces of the main entrée per guest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average attendance | 75-85% of invitees |
| Local guests | 85% |
| Out-of-town guests | 55% |
| Destination wedding guests | 35% |
| Attendance for weddings with over 200 guests | 75% |
| Attendance for intimate weddings | Near-perfect |
| Appetizers | 6 pieces per guest |
| Drinks | 3-4 non-alcoholic drinks and 1-2 cups of water per guest |
| Alcohol | 1.5 drinks per hour per guest |
| Desserts | 1 slice of cake per guest |
| 1.5 cupcakes or 3 cookies per guest | |
| 5 ounces of ice cream per guest | |
| 4-ounce servings of other desserts | |
| Main course | 6-8 ounces per guest |
| Side dishes | 4 ounces of vegetables or potatoes per guest |
| 2 ounces of rice or grains per guest | |
| 2 ounces of green salad per guest |
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What You'll Learn
On average, 75-85% of invitees attend weddings
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to deciding on the number of guests to invite and cater for. While it is impossible to predict with complete accuracy how many guests will attend, there are some general rules of thumb that can help guide your planning.
When it comes to catering for your wedding guests, it is generally recommended to order more food than you think you need to ensure your guests are satisfied. This can be influenced by the type of meal service you choose, such as a plated meal or a buffet, as well as the number and variety of dishes offered. It is also important to consider any dietary restrictions or allergies your guests may have and plan your menu accordingly.
To get a more accurate estimate of the number of guests who will attend your wedding, you may want to consider using a wedding guest calculator or consulting with a catering company, who can help you determine the right amount of food to order based on your expected guest count.
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Plan for 6 appetisers per guest
Planning food for a wedding can be tricky, and there are many factors to consider. Firstly, you should aim to have around six appetisers per guest. This will ensure your guests are satisfied and will help to keep your buffet costs down, as guests tend to eat around 10% less at dinner when appetisers are served. If you are having a long break between the ceremony and reception, you may want to increase the number of appetisers, and if your wedding is straight after lunch or breakfast, you may want to reduce the number.
It is also important to consider the time of your wedding. If your wedding is at a mealtime, you should ensure there is enough food to constitute a full meal, especially if your guests will be drinking alcohol. If your wedding is in the late afternoon or evening, you may want to provide a light meal or a meal-sized appetiser spread, such as a charcuterie board.
You should also consider the dietary requirements of your guests. Be sure to provide vegetarian and vegan options, and ensure that there is enough food for everyone. You may also want to provide a gluten-free option. It is always better to order more food than less, as you do not want to leave your guests hungry.
Finally, don't forget to include some post-dinner bites if your wedding will go into the early hours. Late-night snacks can range from charcuterie boards to chicken and waffles. You may also want to provide some non-alcoholic drinks and water for your guests, especially if your wedding is outdoors or in a hot climate.
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Entrées: 6-8 ounces per guest
Planning a wedding menu is no easy feat, especially when it comes to estimating quantities. A good rule of thumb for entrées is to provide 6-8 ounces per guest. This will ensure that your guests have a generous portion and that you have enough food for everyone.
When planning your entrée, it's important to consider the type of protein you will be serving. For example, if you are serving fish or beef, you may need to allocate a larger budget as these options tend to be more expensive. Chicken is a more budget-friendly option that can help you stretch your dollar without sacrificing taste or quality.
To estimate the quantity of entrée needed, take the number of expected guests and add a buffer. It's always a good idea to plan for a few extra guests who may show up without having RSVP'd. This will ensure that you have enough food for everyone.
Let's say you are expecting 80 guests, it's wise to plan for 100 portions of the entrée. Using the rule of 6-8 ounces per guest, you can calculate the total amount of food needed. For 100 portions, you would need 600-800 ounces or 37.5-50 pounds of food. This calculation ensures that you have a generous amount of food for your guests.
In summary, providing 6-8 ounces of entrée per guest is a good guideline to follow when planning your wedding menu. By considering the type of protein, your budget, and adding a buffer to your guest count, you can ensure that you have enough delicious food for everyone to enjoy on your special day.
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Dessert: 1 slice of cake per guest
Planning a wedding can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to estimating the number of guests who will attend and, subsequently, the amount of food to order. While it is difficult to predict the exact number of guests who will attend, a general rule of thumb is that between 75% and 85% of wedding guests usually attend. This can vary depending on factors such as location, time of year, and the formality of the event. For example, a destination wedding or a wedding on a holiday weekend may result in a lower attendance rate.
Now, let's talk about dessert! If you're serving a wedding cake, a good rule of thumb is to plan for one slice of cake per guest. This ensures that each guest has the opportunity to enjoy a piece of this traditional wedding treat. If you're also offering ice cream with the cake, you can plan to serve around three ounces of ice cream per guest. However, if you're serving ice cream as a separate dessert, you can increase the portion to five ounces.
If you're looking to offer a variety of desserts in addition to the wedding cake, it's a good idea to calculate approximately 1.5 cupcakes or three cookies per guest, on top of the wedding cake allocation. This way, you provide options for your guests with varying preferences and dietary restrictions. Remember, it's always better to have more dessert than less, as you want your guests to feel satisfied and happy.
When planning your dessert options, it's essential to consider any dietary restrictions or allergies your guests may have. Communicate with your caterer to ensure that they are aware of these restrictions and can provide suitable dessert options. Additionally, don't forget to include yourself and your wedding party in the dessert count. You'll want to ensure there's enough for everyone to enjoy, including those who may be helping you get ready on your special day.
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Drinks: 3-4 non-alcoholic drinks per guest
Planning a wedding can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to food and drinks. It's important to first solidify the guest count and then work out the food and drink expenses. On average, 85% of invitees tend to attend weddings, with a breakdown of 85% of local guests, 55% of out-of-town guests, and 35% of destination wedding guests.
When it comes to drinks, it's a good idea to provide a range of options, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Joshua Mentrup, a top wedding expert, advises assuming each guest will consume one drink per hour or about five drinks throughout the evening. This means that for a 4-hour party with 100 guests, you will need approximately 400 drinks in total.
For non-alcoholic drinks, you can offer bottled water, but make sure to get the small bottles as people are less likely to waste them. You can also provide four non-alcoholic options such as Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and lemonade, served in glasses with ice. One can of these drinks can make three servings when served this way.
If you want to offer something festive for toasting, sparkling cider is a great non-alcoholic option. You can also serve mocktails, which are non-alcoholic cocktails, either as a welcome drink or during the ceremony. These can be served in addition to the four non-alcoholic drinks mentioned above, giving your guests a variety of options to choose from.
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Frequently asked questions
On average, 75-85% of invited guests will attend a wedding. Local guests are more likely to attend, with 85% attendance, whereas only 55% of out-of-town guests and 35% of destination wedding guests will show up.
The amount of food you need to order depends on the number of guests. As a general rule of thumb, it is always better to order more food than less. For appetisers, calculate six pieces for every guest in attendance. For a plated meal, you can calculate 1.5 servings for every guest. For a buffet, you will need to account for larger portion sizes. Entrées are typically six to eight ounces per guest, and sides are usually four to six ounces per guest.
It is important to consider different dietary restrictions and allergies when planning your wedding menu. Remember to include vegetarian and vegan options and adjust the number of meat and veggie dishes accordingly.
For alcoholic drinks, a standard guideline is to supply 50% wine, 20% beer, and 30% liquor. You should provide a variety of options for each type of drink. For non-alcoholic drinks, you should plan for 1-2 cups of water per guest and 3-4 non-water drinks, estimating about 5 drinks per person or 1 drink per hour.
Late-night snacks are a great idea if your wedding goes into the early hours. Charcuterie boards, chicken and waffles, and food trucks are some fun options to consider.
