Evening Buffet

[MrsMc2019]

I'm looking for some advice!

We're getting married in Gretna then having a big reception at home.

The reception starts and 6pm and ends around 1am with 200 guests invited.

For the buffet we will be serving rolls in bacon; sausage or potato scone, my questions are how many would you cater for bearing in mind that this is the only food we will be serving (apart from wedding cake and a sweetie cart) and what time would you serve it?

It doesn't have a cost implication as the evening buffet for the guests in included in our package but I'm worried about too much waste or not enough food!!

300? Some people will have two if that’s all there is. Are you providing anything else non-meat other than the scones?

Surely if you give the numbers to the catering company they will decide how much food to supply.

I'd serve around 7.30/8

The package only offers the potato scone but none of our guests are actually non meat eaters (pretty much most of the guests are my huge family!)

Thank you for your suggestions xxx

Sorry @Badwifey I forgot to answer! It's a hotel package and we've been asked the question by our coordinator.

I think you need more food than that! One bacon bap each (or equivalent) is a bit tight. Can you include some nibbles?

It's the buffet that's part of our evening only package, we're also serving wedding cake; putting sweets on the tables and having a sweetie cart that comes with cupcakes and doughnuts.

Most weddings we've been to have quite a small evening buffet (large family weddings all round!) and hot rolls seem to be the norm here.

My Mum thinks that because everyone knows it's an evening reception most people will have eaten before hand but I'm torn on providing the actual numbers.

I have spoken to a few friends who have recommended 75% of our number is completely normal but they had a full day into evening wedding so I'm torn on what to do for an evening only one.

And we're far from tight!!

I’m sure it will be lovely. I’d over rather than under cater to soak up the booze. And ask for mustard!

I would also not only serve guests either one or other. It's a bit mean.

I just don't understand how your catering company cannot judge the amount required. With sausages and bacon being a bit cheaper I don't think I'd be concerning myself with waste.

If I was a guest at the wedding I would expect a 12in roll and enough bacon and sausage required to fill it if that was all that was being served. So I guess 2 average sausages and two slices of bacon.

Tbh it's not really something I like to eat when I've dressed myself up to spend a night out. Have you your heart set on sausages and bacon?

Ok you didn't mention cupcakes or doughnuts in your first post! I would go on the assumption that most people would have at least one roll, some possible more so allow for at least one each.

We don't have a catering company this is the hotel's package - it is the only option for our particular package and it is perfectly normal in the Glasgow area to have a hot roll at a wedding. I know brides who have been offered a hot roll package as an upgrade to the standard one and have chosen it.

Thank you @FredaFrogspawn, I'm known for having a habit of over feeding people.

Thank you @CacenCrunch I think I'm leaning towards that. When I mentioned that to our coordinator she say that it might leave a lot of waste but I have a feeling everyone will get torn on.

Oops torn in not on!!

Ok. Sorry if it's a done thing then fair enough. Not something I've ever heard of. I would definitely allow for one each.

What I'm trying to say is... the hotel should be well used to dishing up to large crowds. Surely they are able to give some suggestion as to how many to make. It's very odd to leave that down to you.
Also sausages and bacon are quick to cook so can you go for 80% with an addition amount on standby should the buffet appear to be running low.

why on earth dont the hotel caterers know how many to prepare for that number or people?

Dsis had bacon or sausage baps at her evening do and cheese on toast for veggies. But chips too which made it stodgy but more of a full meal..

I think if none of the 200 guests have been fed by you earlier, you'll need more food for 6pm-1am??

Usually at evening receptions 80% of the guests have had the wedding breakfast so so a hot roll would be fine to top up, and evening only guests can have a couple.. But I'd expect a dinner amount of food if I came at that time.

Just been to an evening do that was the main wedding. Everyone had one serving but a lot of the men had at least 2. I think they served it about 7.30.

@caranx our reception doesn't start until 6pm so I'm not sure why people would expect a meal from us beforehand.

Thank you @roundturnandtwohalfhitches I've usually had a few glasses of wine at receptions so never notice what time the buffet has gone out.

@DrMadelineMaxwell I totally agree but there's already been a bit of a hiccup with our wedding coordinator (that I won't go into as I'll end up angry and upset again) so I'm am now double checking everything. She actually advised quite a low number but I don't like the idea of someone missing out.

I agree @Badwifey but if you see my previous post to @DrMadelineMaxwell you'll see that there's already been hiccups.

I'd allow 3 rolls per person with that number of guests. Just been to a wedding where people starting bringing in pizzas as there wasn't enough food.

I see.
Nothing worse than being at an under catered wedding party. A friend got married and their buffet ran out halfway through the guests serving themselves...and they weren't being greedy either.

I'd aim for 2 per person with chips / salad /sides or 3 without. 6pm start means people won't have had an evening meal, they'll have been travelling to the venue. Also would serve around 7:30, as drink would be kicking in around then.

I'm with @Sabina21. I would eat at least 3. I don't really do sweet stuff so the cupcakes and donuts would be wasted on me.