How Much Food Do You Need Per Guest?

Canapés

If the reception runs long because photographs overrun, guests get hungry quickly, so it's better to have a few more than to run out. A mix of lighter and more substantial canapés, plus at least one option for each dietary need, works better than lots of one kind.

The wedding breakfast

Every adult guest invited to the meal should have a full meal, whatever the style of service. Your caterer sets portion sizes for the menu, so what you need to give them is accurate numbers:

• Final adult numbers, confirmed a few weeks before the wedding
• Children's numbers and ages, as many caterers offer children's portions or menus
• Suppliers who need feeding, such as the photographer, band and planner, who are often on site all day
• Dietary requirements and allergies for each guest, so nobody is left with a side salad

Sharing tables and buffets need enough food for every guest to try every dish, so caterers plan these by the table or by the serving point as well as by the head. See buffet, plated, sharing or food stations for how each style is served.

Evening food

Evening food is the meal most often under-ordered. Day guests who ate at four o'clock will be hungry again by nine or ten, and evening-only guests may arrive having not eaten at all.

• Plan evening food for everyone at the evening reception, day and evening guests together
• Serve it once the dancing has started, usually two to three hours after the meal ends
• Choose food that's easy to eat standing up or with one hand
• If the party runs very late, consider a second, lighter round

Multi-day and cultural celebrations

At Indian, Asian and other multi-day weddings, guest numbers often differ at each event, and family traditions may set expectations for generosity and variety. Plan each event separately: a mehndi at home might be relaxed and grazing-style, while the reception needs a full meal for several hundred. See our guide to Indian wedding catering menus for how families typically approach each event.

Things that change how much you need

• Timing. A long gap between ceremony and meal needs more canapés.
• Weather. Guests eat less in heat and more on cold evenings outdoors.
• Drinks. A long drinks reception with little food leaves guests feeling worse later.
• Guest mix. Lots of children, older guests or a young crowd dancing all night all change appetites.
• Length of the day. The later the finish, the more evening food matters.

Our chefs plan quantities with you for every wedding and canapé reception we cater, so nobody goes hungry and little goes to waste.