Do we need an evening buffet?

[Basketofkittens]

We will be eating around 5pm. A four course carvery.

Dad wants a buffet / bacon sandwiches around 9pm. But do we NEED more food?

[TitianaTitsling]

Depending on how much booze there will be and when the party ends! If it's still going on at 1am and people have been drinking all day maybe some cake or bacon rolls at 9pm/10pm!

[imsuchagrump]

Are you having evening guests if so yes .

[bookgirl1982]

We had a cheese course as a buffet in the evening, but didn't have extra evening guests and the wedding breakfast started at 5.

[funmummy48]

My cousin had a meal at 3pm, then a buffet was served at 7, then there were bacon sandwiches at 20pm. It was too much and so much good was wasted. Rather than a full buffet, why not just have a really good selection of cheese & biscuits.

[Goldenhorn]

It depends on whether your venue says you have to have one, and whether you're having guests who are coming for the evening only. I'd say to also think about whether its gona be the kind of wedding reception where everyone gets smashed. If so, and if budget allows, have an evening buffet.

[bluebury]

People will likely expect it, especially if you have any evening only guests.
We weren't going to but we're convinced to by family and I was amazing how much people ate even though the main meal had only finished at 6-7pm.
If money is an issue initially we were going to sacrifice the start and use the money saved for evening food. But then a family member offered to pay for the starters (because 'a wedding can't not have starters').
We've been to weddings without any evening food and people (including us) have left early to go an get food. And we've by no means have big appetites.
That said it's your wedding if you don't want it or can't afford it, it's not going to ruin the day and you won't loose friends for it.

[Honeyroar]

If you're not having evening guests, no. I'd just put cheese and biscuits out later on and serve the cake.

[stucknoue]

It depends upon whether you are having evening guests and the time you are due to finish. A cheese course or bacon rolls is a good alternative to a full buffet

[HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone]

Do you have any extra evening guests if so you absolutely need a buffet or some provision of food for the evening. To be honest even if you didn't I would still have extra food at about 9/10ish, some people will still want to eat especially they are drinking heavily. The biggest mistake at any wedding if guests being hungry so I would strive to do anything to avoid that being your guests lasting memory of your day.

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

Absolutely.

[ApplesOrangesPears]

Yes. If you don’t have one, expect guests to leave in droves as soon as they get hungry and/or to have a lot of people who are very drunk indeed.

[Pipandmum]

No. Just put out cheese and crackers stuff. Last wedding I went to they had a pizza truck but it was too soon after the meal and I don’t think many went to it til 11, but the reception was at a private house so there were people there til 3am. Most venues would end at 11pm or midnight.
I hate the inviting people to separate parts of a wedding so don’t know the etiquette if you have guests just for the post dinner bit.

[onemouseplace]

We didn’t have separate evening guests, so just had a cheese board and the wedding cake set out in the evening.

[LorelaiRoryEmily]

We didn’t have evening guests. Dinner was at 6. We had chicken and mushroom vol au vents, leek and potato soup, fillet steak or turkey and ham and mini apple pies or baileys cheesecake.
At 10pm we had a buffet. Goujons, wedges, sausages,sandwiches,mini bacon rolls,bruschetta with chopped tomatoes and wedding cake.
I’d love it all again now!!

[Thatmustbemyname]

Bring out buckets of fries around 10/11, you'll be a hero 😊

[LorelaiRoryEmily]

Oh and there were canapés at 3pm too

[Basketofkittens]

Around 50 guests. No extra evening guests. No disco. The bar closes at 11pm.

It’s an officer’s mess so they will basically do whatever we want catering wise.

[Usuallyinthemiddle]

I'd say you need something, yes.

[noblegiraffe]

Yes, people will start to feel a bit snacky.

[Mum2lots]

It's forces personnel so yes at least a bacon sandwich an army marches on its stomach xxx safer with drinking to xxx and that's the wives of :)

[TitianaTitsling]

God it's in the mess, well from my experience of mess functions, never mind army weddings it will not end early therefore food will definitely be needed in the evening!

[Basketofkittens]

Only two people amongst the guests, including the groom are military. And they aren’t big drinkers. Nobody is so not too worried!

[Brideof2020]

Our plans are similar to yours and we're planning for something like chip barms/ sausage barms around 9.30 - 10pm - our bar doesn't close til 1am though so I think we will need it !!! If it was finishing at 11pm though I'm not sure I would do extra food.

[CakeNinja]

My god, I went to a wedding at the weekend and all I ate were the canapés at 4!
When I’m drinking I lose my appetite completely, I’m always at people needing a big dinner at 4 and then eating again at 9 but that’s just me and I appreciate i’m In the minority.
If I were you, I’d offer an evening bacon roll option.