How many canapés?

[Namechangedfeb22]

If it’s a canapé buffet instead of a meal at a wedding then how many canapés would you want? Wedding is at 7pm

thank you

About 30! They're not supposed to be a meal. You'd normally serve a handful per person before a three course meal.

Are you saying on the invitation that there are canapés but no dinner; eat beforehand? How big are the canapes? If you haven’t warned people on the invitation and canapés are usual size, maybe 20-30 each?!?

I would probably head to the nearest fish and chip shop instead tbh.

Canapés are not a meal.

Eek I don’t think you can do a canapé buffet only. I’d need 30 at least. You’ll end up with people absolutely smashed on free wine and nothing to sop up the booze. Carnage!

Yes canapes are a little nibble before a meal not a meal - you'd be better with a proper buffet!

I'd eat loads if there was no actual food.

If the wedding is at seven, what time will the canapés be?
By the time you have photos, also is your venue all in one? People will be needing a decent amount. They will be hungry. Does your caterer not have advice?

Don you have to have canapés as dinner? It seems like it would be a really annoying way to eat. It would really stress me out.

Canapés are for grabbing off a tray when milling around while you get your photos done, not to replace a meal! 😧

If you’re trying to cut costs, could you consider a ‘bring a dish’ party, or ask close friends/family to bring some food to contribute? I’ve been asked for lots of baking as part of various bridesmaids duties over the years to replace expensive canapés or evening buffets

You can't just offer canapés. They are not a meal. They are a snack before a meal. Do a proper meal/buffet.

About 30 here too

I'm not usually a big drinker, but would probably end up blotto because unless I was told that was all there was, I wouldn't eat a large number of canapes. I'd rather have a simple hot meal, which needn't be extravagant or expensive. You run the risk of your guests leaving to find a pub or restaurant if that's all that is served.

I don’t think canapés are cheap in that quantity either.

The wedding is at 7pm, so is this before or after? People will get very very drunk if you aren’t careful

I went to a wedding like this once. It was a disaster. The guests were starving as it was several hours after the mid afternoon ceremony so they were all crowding around the door to the kitchen from where the food was being brought out. DH and I waited and waited but we got about about two canapés. People were getting fed up and leaving the reception to get takeaway food/room service!

If the wedding was at 7, I’d eat around 5pm and then snack on the canapés. About 10, with loads of crisps and some French bread?

If there's no meal and I'm expected to be there all evening then loads.

You need to make it clear it's canapés and drinks and then people can clear off.

Myself, about 30 to 35. I’d probably end up eating when I got home though. DP would inhale about 50 and still be looking at the canapé table like a famished wolf eyeing up a flock of lambs, but he does a physical job and runs, so is constantly hungry.

A sandwich buffet or bacon roll buffet is a better bet to be honest. I went to a wedding recently with bacon/egg/tofu rolls and it was a real hit. Disclaimer, I didn’t eat the tofu so not idea how tasty that was.

People will probably not have eaten tea/dinner beforehand, Wedding is at 7pm, then photos etc afterwards they'll be absolutely hanging by the time canapes are served! You'd best make them on the large size and plentiful!

you can’t have a 7pm wedding with no food unless you want everyone to leave after 45 minutes

Please feed your guests!! Canapés are lovely with the welcome drink but you need to also serve a meal as well.

I’ve been to an evening wedding where they had a champagne and canapé reception. It was actually really nice but the whole thing lasted two hours. Lots of people went out for more booze/ food after but it was in the centre of Edinburgh so really easy and we knew in advance. I ate loads of canapés so must of been at least 20 per guest. Waitresses were circulating topping us up with fizz and offering canapés off of slate till five minutes before the end.

Lots. They're not a proper meal. They're fine while you're out for 2 hours, glass of prosecco and small talk, not for wedding as the only food served.

Hang on, you only met your boyfriend in January, were choosing baby names in May and bought a house in September? That’s fast work.

Canapés are literally meant to be a single mouthful. So do a mouthful count over a few meals to get an average count. My guess is - as people have said - you're going to need upwards of 30 per person. Surely a more conventional buffet makes more sense? Quiches, sausage rolls, cheeses, charcuterie, salads etc and cake and fruit salad or something. Not just a vast array of hundreds and hundreds of canapés. Sounds daft to me.