Franklin Dean
Planning a wedding menu is no easy feat, especially when it comes to hors d'oeuvres. The last thing you want is to run out of food or, worse, have a surplus of leftovers. A good rule of thumb is to plan for 3 to 5 bites per person if serving hors d'oeuvres with a meal or 12 to 15 bites per person if the hors d'oeuvres are the main offering. However, this number can vary depending on the type of reception and the time of day. For example, if your reception is during a mealtime but you're not serving a full meal, you'll want to provide a more substantial amount of hors d'oeuvres to ensure your guests don't go hungry. On the other hand, if your reception is during an off-peak time, such as the morning or early afternoon, your guests may be less inclined to drink and may not need as many hors d'oeuvres.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hors d'oeuvres per person | 3-5 with a meal service, 12-15 without a meal service, or 6 per guest in attendance |
| Number of drinks per person | 5 non-alcoholic drinks, 1.5 alcoholic drinks per hour |
| Types of alcoholic drinks | 50% wine, 20% beer, 30% liquor |
| Desserts | 1.5 cupcakes or 3 cookies per guest in addition to the wedding cake |
| Number of appetizers | 4-6 different types |
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What You'll Learn
Hors d'oeuvre quantity depends on whether a meal is served
The number of hors d'oeuvres per person at a wedding depends on several factors, including whether a meal is served, the time of day, and guests' expectations. If you are serving a meal, it is generally recommended to provide 3 to 5 bites of hors d'oeuvres per person. This can include a variety of options, such as an antipasto display, tray passing with different offerings, or miniature entrée-style foods.
However, if you are not serving a meal, it is important to increase the quantity of hors d'oeuvres to ensure your guests are sufficiently fed. In this case, it is suggested to provide 12 to 15 bites per person. This can be achieved by offering a variety of options, such as a combination of passed hors d'oeuvres and a display of crackers, fruit, cheese, and other appetisers.
It is worth noting that the duration of the cocktail hour can also impact the quantity of hors d'oeuvres. If the cocktail hour is expected to last for 30 to 45 minutes, it may be more appropriate to aim for the lower end of the suggested range, as guests may not be able to consume a large number of hors d'oeuvres in a short time.
Additionally, it is important to consider the food-to-alcohol ratio, especially if you are serving alcohol at your wedding. Ensuring that your guests have enough food to absorb the alcohol is crucial for their comfort and enjoyment. While there are always variables, it is essential to remember that guests typically arrive at a wedding reception hungry, and providing ample food is part of hosting a successful event.
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Alcohol absorption: ensure enough food to balance drinks
It is important to ensure that your wedding guests have enough food to balance their drinks. This is especially true if your wedding is scheduled at a mealtime. If your event is scheduled so that guests miss a meal, and then you don't offer sufficient food, you're going to hear some whispered grumbling. Catering impresario Laurence Whiting cautions about the food-to-alcohol ratio: "You want to make sure that guests who are drinking have enough food to absorb the alcohol. Otherwise, you're asking for trouble."
If you are serving a full meal or having your reception at an off-mealtime, you can get by with 2-3 hors d'oeuvres per person. If you are not serving a meal but are having your reception during a mealtime, you should increase that number significantly and make sure you have plenty of filling, heavy options. For hors d'oeuvres with a meal service, plan 3 to 5 bites per person; for hors d'oeuvres instead of a meal, suggest 12 to 15 bites per person.
When it comes to alcohol, there are a few things to consider. First, you'll want to raise a glass with your guests and enjoy some celebratory drinks. Calculating how many drinks you'll be serving and how much alcohol to buy is an important part of wedding planning. You don't want to run out of liquor halfway through your reception, but you also don't want to buy more alcohol than you'll use and be left with several half-empty bottles. Talk to your venue coordinator to get their advice for your wedding bar. They might have house specialties, especially if it's a winery, brewery, or restaurant.
Another thing to consider is the type of alcohol you'll be serving. If you are offering a full bar, you will need to purchase a variety of liquors, mixers, wines, and beers. Don't offer too much variety when it comes to spirits—vodka, bourbon, tequila, gin, or rum are adequate offerings. Work with your caterer and bartender to select wines that go well with the food menu, as well as varietals to serve at the bar. If you plan to put a bottle of white and red wine on each table, you will need to buy more bottles than if you have a waiter pour wine for each guest.
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Guest satisfaction: avoid hunger, grumbling, and overindulgence
Ensuring your wedding guests are well-fed is a key part of hosting a memorable celebration. While the happy couple is the focal point of the day, the experience of the guests is also important. A well-fed guest is a happy guest!
The number of hors d'oeuvres you should provide will depend on a few factors. Firstly, consider the time of day your wedding is taking place. If your reception falls at a mealtime, you will need to provide more food than if it were between meal times. For example, if your wedding is in the morning or early afternoon, guests will be less inclined to drink and will likely require fewer hors d'oeuvres to tide them over until the evening.
As a general rule, for hors d'oeuvres with a meal service, plan for 3-5 bites per person. If the hors d'oeuvres are instead of a meal, you should provide 12-15 bites per person. This could include a selection of 3-4 items from an antipasto display, tray-passing with a variety of offerings, or event stations preparing miniature portions of entrée-style foods.
If you are serving a few light snacks alongside the hors d'oeuvres, such as a fruit, cheese, and cracker selection, you can get by with 2-4 pieces of each hors d'oeuvre per person. This will likely equate to 3-4 different kinds of hors d'oeuvres, with multiple trays of each.
Other considerations
It is important to consider the food-to-alcohol ratio. If your guests are drinking, ensure there is enough food to absorb the alcohol. You should also include your vendors in your catering calculations so they, too, can enjoy the reception. Don't forget to provide plenty of non-alcoholic drinks, with approximately 2 gallons of water and non-water drinks per guest.
While it is better to order more food than less, you don't want to be wasteful. Consider the number of guests and the variety of food you will be providing to ensure your guests leave satisfied, without having to take home doggy bags.
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Wedding time and day impact guest appetite and drinking
The time and day of your wedding will impact your guests' appetites and drinking habits. For example, if you're having a daytime wedding, you probably won't need as much alcohol as you would for an evening affair. If your wedding is in the summer, you might want to order more white and rosé wine than red, and the opposite is true for a winter wedding.
If your wedding is at a mealtime, you'll need to provide more food than if it's between meals. For example, if you're serving hors d'oeuvres with a meal, plan for 3 to 5 bites per person. If the hors d'oeuvres are instead of a meal, provide 12 to 15 bites per person. This could include a variety of offerings, such as an antipasto display, tray passing, or event stations preparing miniature portions of entrée-style foods.
It's important to ensure that guests who are drinking have enough food to absorb the alcohol. As a general rule, each guest will have at least one alcoholic drink per hour. However, this will vary depending on factors such as the location, time of year, and guest count. Hospitality expert Patrick Davila suggests the following ratios for a 3-hour open bar:
- Beer: 0.5 beers per guest
- Wine: 1 bottle per 2.5 guests
- Champagne: 1 bottle per 6 guests (toast only)
- Liquor: 1 bottle per 5 guests
To prevent guests from drinking too much, some couples decide that shots won't be served at their wedding, and make sure bartenders are aware of this rule. Another option is to only serve wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks during cocktail hour. It's also a good idea to shut down bar service during dinner, so guests can only enjoy table wine with their meal.
Whether your guests have been drinking or not, it's important to have water available at all times. Ingredients like mixers and garnishes should also be considered when ordering alcohol, and they usually depend on the season. For example, use preserved oranges, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks for a winter wedding, and lemonade, mint, cucumbers, and fresh tropical fruit for a summer wedding.
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Rule of thumb: 3-4 hors d'oeuvres of each type per guest
Planning a wedding can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to deciding on the food. It's important to ensure that your guests are well-fed and satisfied, and offering a variety of hors d'oeuvres is a great way to achieve this. A good rule of thumb to follow is to provide 3-4 hors d'oeuvres of each type per guest. This ensures that your guests have enough variety and quantity to enjoy throughout the cocktail hour or reception.
When considering the number of hors d'oeuvres per person, it's important to take into account the timing of your wedding and whether it coincides with mealtimes. If your wedding is during a mealtime, it's advisable to increase the quantity of hors d'oeuvres to ensure your guests don't go hungry. On the other hand, if your wedding is between mealtimes, you can opt for a smaller quantity to simply whet your guests' appetites.
The type of reception you're having can also impact the number of hors d'oeuvres required. For example, if you're having a more casual cocktail hour, 3-4 hors d'oeuvres per guest might be sufficient. However, if your reception includes a sit-down meal, you may want to adjust the quantity to 3-5 bites of each hors d'oeuvre per person. This ensures that your guests have a variety of options without filling up too much before the main course.
It's always a good idea to consult with your caterer or venue coordinator to determine the appropriate amount of hors d'oeuvres for your specific wedding. They can guide you based on their experience and the preferences of your guest list. Additionally, consider the cultural background of your guests, as different cultures may have varying expectations for portion sizes and the number of hors d'oeuvres typically consumed.
By following the rule of thumb of 3-4 hors d'oeuvres of each type per guest and taking into account the specific circumstances of your wedding, you can ensure that your guests are happily fed and energized to celebrate your special day. Remember, it's always better to have a little extra than to run out, so don't be afraid to err on the side of generosity when in doubt!
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on whether you are serving a meal. If you are serving hors d'oeuvres with a meal, plan for 3-5 bites per person. If the hors d'oeuvres are replacing a meal, provide 12-15 bites per person.
If you are serving a meal at a later time, 2-3 pieces per person during cocktail hour should be sufficient. If there is no meal planned, make sure to provide plenty of filling, heavy options, and bump up the number significantly.
It is recommended to offer 3-5 different types of hors d'oeuvres, with 3 being the minimum for adequate variety.
Popular choices include bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, mini quiches, meatballs, and phyllo cups.
