Franklin Dean
Planning a wedding reception menu is an exciting part of the wedding planning process, but it can also be overwhelming. There are many factors to consider, such as the number of guests, the type of reception, and the formality of the event. It is generally better to order more food than less to ensure guests are satisfied. The serving style, whether plated, buffet, or family-style, will also impact the quantity of food required. When it comes to drinks, non-alcoholic drinks will average around 2 gallons per guest, while alcohol consumption will depend on the time and day of the wedding. Couples may also want to consider seasonal food options, interactive beverage stations, and pre-reception snacks to enhance their wedding menu and keep their guests happy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of guests | 50-225 |
| Serving style | Buffet, plated, family-style, or station style |
| Type of food | Salad, sides, entrees, cake, desserts, snacks, drinks |
| Amount of food | 6 appetizers per guest, 8 oz of salad per guest, 4-6 oz of sides per guest, 6-8 oz of entrees per guest, 1 slice of cake per guest, 1.5 cupcakes or 3 cookies per guest, 2 gallons of non-alcoholic drinks per guest |
| Budget | $500-$1000 |
| Timing | Pre-reception snacks, cocktail hour, dinner, late-night snacks |
| Seasonality | Include seasonal food options, e.g., pumpkin spices, spiced apple flavorings |
| Personalization | Include favorite dishes and cuisines, signature cocktails, or interactive beverage stations |
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What You'll Learn
Planning food quantities
Appetizers and Desserts
As a rule of thumb, plan to have six appetizer pieces per guest. If you are offering additional desserts beyond the wedding cake, a good rule of thumb is to have 1.5 cupcakes or three cookies per guest, in addition to one slice of cake per guest. Most guests will not eat all of the desserts, and those who eat more will balance out those who eat less.
Main Course
The amount of food you need for the main course will depend on the serving style you choose. For a plated (sit-down) meal, most experts recommend six to eight ounces of entrée per guest. If you are having a buffet-style meal, it is a good idea to have some extras on hand, as guests may be generous when serving themselves. For a family-style meal, where food is served on large platters and bowls for guests to share, it is also recommended to have extras on hand.
Sides and Salads
Most wedding reception meals include two to three side dishes. A good rule of thumb is to order four to six ounces of sides per guest. For salads, plan for eight ounces (or about one cup) per guest.
Drinks
Non-alcoholic drinks will average around two gallons per guest. Plan for one to two cups of water per person and three to four non-water drinks, such as tea, lemonade, or soda. This amounts to about five drinks per person or one drink per hour. For alcohol, a general rule of thumb is to plan for 1.5 drinks per hour per guest. However, keep in mind that the time of day and day of the week can affect how much alcohol is consumed.
Late-Night Snacks
If your wedding will continue into the late hours, consider providing a late-night snack for your guests. Not all guests will stay, so you won't need food for your total guest count. Consult with your catering company to determine the right amount.
Pre-Reception Snacks
It is a good idea to provide snacks and drinks for your guests during the cocktail hour or while they are waiting for the reception to begin. This can be as simple as chips and salsa, veggies and dip, or a meat and cheese platter.
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Catering styles
Buffet-style
Buffet-style meals are a common choice for wedding receptions, especially for less formal venues. This style offers a variety of food options that guests can choose from and is generally more budget-friendly. It allows guests to select their favorite items and control their portion sizes. However, it can also result in longer lines and a less formal dining experience.
Plated or sit-down service
A plated or sit-down service is often chosen for more formal wedding receptions. In this style, guests are typically served a pre-selected entrée and sides, ensuring a more elegant and structured dining experience. This option may require guests to choose their menu options in advance, making it easier to manage dietary restrictions and preferences. However, it may also require more coordination and staff to ensure timely service.
Family-style service
Family-style meals combine elements of both buffet and plated service. In this style, large platters and bowls of food are placed on each table, and guests serve themselves family-style. This option encourages a sense of community and interaction among guests. However, it is important to consider that guests may serve themselves larger portions, so it is advisable to have extra food on hand.
Station-style
Station-style catering, also known as "action stations," offers a unique and interactive dining experience. Various food stations are set up around the reception venue, each featuring a different type of cuisine or theme. This style allows guests to explore different options and creates a dynamic atmosphere. Station-style catering can include anything from a mac and cheese bar to a slider station or a build-your-own nacho bar.
Pre-reception snacks and cocktails
It is considerate to provide pre-reception snacks and drinks for guests while they wait for the official start of the event, especially if there will be a gap between the ceremony and the dinner service. This can include items such as a meat, cheese, fruit, and veggie display, as well as bread, crackers, dips, and other light appetizers. A cocktail hour is also a popular choice, offering drinks and light refreshments to keep guests happy and entertained.
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Menu options
When it comes to menu options for your wedding reception, the most important thing to remember is that your wedding day is about you and the people you love. Selecting your wedding menu should be fun, and it's an opportunity to personalise your day with favourite dishes and cuisines that are meaningful to you.
Pre-reception snacks
If there is a gap between the ceremony and reception, it is a good idea to provide some snacks and drinks for your guests while they wait. This could be a simple meat, cheese, fruit and veggie display, or something more interactive like a DIY mimosa bar, or a popcorn bar.
Appetisers
As a general rule, you should calculate six pieces of appetiser per guest. If you are serving salad, account for eight ounces (or roughly one cup) per guest.
Main Course
Main courses are typically the star of the meal, so ensure your guests receive a generous portion. For a plated meal, guests may select their entrée in advance, making the ordering process straightforward. For a family-style meal, food is served on large platters and bowls for guests to serve themselves, so it's a good idea to have some extra portions on hand. For a buffet-style meal, guests can serve themselves from a selection of dishes.
Dessert
In addition to wedding cake, you may want to offer your guests additional desserts. A good calculation is 1.5 cupcakes or three cookies per guest, on top of one slice of cake per guest.
Late-night snacks
If your reception will continue into the early hours, you might want to provide some post-dinner bites for your guests. This could be a charcuterie board, or something more substantial like chicken and waffles.
Drinks
Non-alcoholic drinks will average out to around two gallons per guest. You should plan for one to two cups of water per guest, and three to four non-water drinks (like tea, lemonade, or soda), or about five drinks per person. If you are serving alcohol, plan for 1.5 drinks per hour per guest.
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Drinks
When it comes to drinks at your wedding reception, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is essential to provide water and other drinks for your guests while they wait for the reception to begin, especially if there is a cocktail hour. This can be as simple as providing water, or you could offer snacks and drinks such as cheese, crackers, fruit, vegetables, and salsa. If your wedding is outdoors or in hot weather, ensure there is plenty of water available.
When planning the drinks for the reception, it is good to offer a variety of options. Alcoholic drinks are a common feature, and you can estimate how much to provide by planning for 1-2 cups of water per guest and 3-4 non-water drinks, such as tea, lemonade, or soda. This equates to about 5 drinks per person or 1 drink per hour. If you are having an open bar, the ratio of different types of alcohol will depend on your guests' preferences. If you are not having an open bar, you could create a signature cocktail or have an interactive beverage station, such as a DIY mimosa or sangria bar.
The time of day and day of the week of your reception will also impact how much alcohol is consumed. Guests will be less inclined to drink at a morning or early afternoon reception than an evening one, and they will likely drink more at a weekend wedding than a weekday one. If your reception continues into the late evening, you may want to provide some post-dinner snacks, such as a charcuterie board.
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Desserts
Firstly, consider the time of day of your reception. If it is during a standard meal hour, it is generally advised to provide more food than just desserts. This could be a full meal, or heavy appetisers, so guests do not leave feeling hungry. If your reception is not during a typical meal time, you may choose to serve only desserts and drinks, which can be a fun and cost-effective option. In this case, it is important to communicate this clearly to your guests, so they can plan to eat a meal beforehand if they wish.
When it comes to dessert specifically, the general rule of thumb is to provide 1 slice of cake per guest, plus 1-1.5 additional dessert servings per guest. This could be 1 cupcake or 2-3 cookies, for example. If you are not serving a meal beforehand, you might want to provide 4-6 dessert servings per guest. It is also a good idea to offer a range of desserts with different colours, tastes and textures, so there is something for everyone. For instance, if you serve chocolate, also provide something light and fruity.
There are many creative dessert ideas to explore for your wedding. You could offer a dessert buffet with cakes, pies, brownies, pastries, and a hot chocolate or coffee bar. You could also provide handheld treats like marshmallow pops, ice cream sandwiches, or churros with dipping sauces. If you want to honour your heritage, consider serving a traditional dessert from your culture. For instance, a Scandinavian kransekake, Italian millefoglie, or Mexican-inspired churros. You could also elevate classic candies, like peanut butter cups with gold leaf, or hire a gourmet cotton candy business to cater your reception.
Don't forget, it is always better to order slightly more food than you think you need, rather than too little. You don't want your guests to be left unsatisfied!
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Frequently asked questions
This depends on the number of guests, the type of reception, and the type of dinner to be served. As a general rule, it is better to order more food than less. For appetizers, calculate six pieces for every guest. For entrées, plan for six to eight ounces per guest. For salads, account for eight ounces or one cup per guest. For sides, order four to six ounces per side, per guest. For dessert, allocate one slice of cake per guest, and if you're offering additional desserts, calculate 1.5 cupcakes or three cookies per guest.
Selecting your wedding menu should be fun, but it can also be overwhelming. Remember that your wedding day is about you and sharing it with your loved ones. Choose your favourite foods and curate them into a beautiful menu. Think about adding a seasonal food option to your menu—for example, warm-coloured foods like pumpkin spices and spiced apple flavourings for a fall wedding. You could also add a personal touch with a signature cocktail or an interactive beverage station.
It is a good idea to provide water, drinks, and snacks for your guests while they are waiting for the reception to begin, especially if there will be a gap between the ceremony and reception, or if there will be alcohol involved. This could be a simple meat, cheese, fruit, and veggie display, or something more substantial like chips and crackers with salsa and queso.
