Hors Douvres

Caterers typically recommend on average 7-10 per guest. However, you should also look at the type of guests you are inviting -- if they are like a lot of the guests I`m inviting to my wedding, I would plan for 20 per guest (I`m from the midwest and my fiance and I`s family loves to eat).

If you want to be sure that you don`t run out and that it`s a generous amount, you could plan for 12 per guest.

Good luck to you!

Whoa!!! 7-10? 20? These numbers are appropriate for cocktail receptions, not when you are serving dinner afterwards! For pre-dinner hors d`oeuvres it`s recommended that you have 4-6 pieces per person. You should also take into consideration how heavy and how many courses your dinner will be.

In your case, you`ll have your ceremony separating your cocktails and your reception, so you`ll have ample time between the two "feedings". So you could go on the heavier side (6 per person). AND you said you want to be on the generous side. So you could probably go 7 per person if you want. But I certainly wouldn`t do more than seven.

I heard that 4-6 pieces per person if adequate. If you are only having appetisers as your main food I read that 15 is a good amount. I am only having appetisers at my wedding cocktail party and this is the number I am basing my catering on. Good luck!!!

Wow, I wonder if my caterer was trying to rip me off. He was adament that 7-10 per person was the `norm` and even went so far as to tell me stories about running out, etc.

Thanks for the info ladies and Rho, I`m sorry I gave you incorrect information. My apoligies.....I should have checked with more than one source before I felt I could give good advice.

Actually most opinions vary from 6 to 12 pieces and many times we`ve learnt that caterers find that the guests often consume near the higher end of that range, so I guess it`s not a standard one way or the other.
Thanks to all for your thoughts.