How much food should you serve per person at a wedding?

The amount of food you serve depends on the style of meal and how long your reception lasts. For a sit-down dinner, each guest usually gets one starter, one main course with sides, and one dessert. That is enough to feel full without being wasteful. For a buffet, plan for about 450 to 600 grams of food per person. That covers a mix of proteins, carbohydrates and vegetables. If you have many sides or breads, you can reduce the protein slightly.

For canapés before the meal, allow 5 to 8 pieces per person for the first hour, then fewer if a full meal follows. If you are serving only canapés instead of a meal, increase that to 10 to 12 pieces per person over two to three hours. For a wedding breakfast tray or grazing table, aim for a generous selection, about 300 to 400 grams of savoury items per person, plus sweets.

Always consider your guest list. Teenagers and active guests may eat more, while older guests may prefer lighter portions. It is better to have a little extra than to run out, but you can ask your caterer to adjust portions based on your exact numbers. Leftovers can be boxed up for guests to take home.