If you ask us how much food you need for your wedding, we'll give you our best recommendation. But we'll be honest: it's the hardest question we get, and after years of weddings we still don't have a perfect formula.
The same menu can go two completely different ways
We've catered weddings where we thought the menu was a little light, perhaps two canapés and a Bis di Primi, and the guests barely ate. They were too busy drinking, dancing and catching up. And we've catered weddings where we thought the couple had ordered far too much, and nearly everything was eaten.
We've even seen guests eat and not eat on the same weekend, in the same weather, at weddings with a similar schedule. We've learned that on paper, nothing tells you for sure.
What we do know: it's about the crowd
The one thing that does seem to matter is who the guests are. That's why we always ask our couples: how well do you know your guests? Do they love their food? Are they a crowd who came to celebrate and dance? Someone who knows their guests can often tell us more than any formula.
The bar might play a part
We can't prove it, but an open bar seems to change how some weddings go. When drinks are flowing freely, we sometimes see guests eating less than we expected.
Why we suggest erring on the generous side
Since we can't predict it, our advice is simple: it's better to have a little too much food than not enough.
Part of this is hospitality, because nobody should leave a wedding hungry. But there's a practical reason too. Guests who have eaten properly are better able to enjoy their evening and get home safely. We'd rather you have leftovers than an empty table.
What helps us get it right
We can't remove the unknowns, but you can help us shrink them:
- Tell us your budget. It lets us suggest the best balance of canapés, pasta and extras for what you want to spend, without guessing.
- Tell us about any other food at your wedding: grazing tables, a cake, late-night snacks, anything.
- Share your timeline as early as you can, even a rough draft.
- Tell us about your guests: who is coming, and how they like to eat.
- Let us know if there will be an open bar.
The more we know, the better our recommendation will be. And if you're unsure, tell us what you're worried about. We'd much rather talk it through than guess.