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  1.  
    • MrsEmmaP
      CommentAuthorMrsEmmaP
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      edited
     
    I am having an evening only reception with around 70 guests however I have been wondering, do I cater for all 70 guests? I am not having a wedding breakfast and the wedding ceremony isn't until 5pm, I understand that the daytime guests will want food but do I cater for all evening guests, as they may have eaten before they arrive? Just a thought as I don't want to waste money on food that wont be eat.

    Members signature icon
    Got together on 14th March 2010
    Got engaged on 25th December 2013
    Became Mrs P on 14th May 2016 - best day ever!
  2.  
    • clairenina
      CommentAuthorclairenina
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    Personally, I would cater for all 70. I'd rather have too much than not enough food. I don't think you'll struggle with waste if you're not having a wedding breakfast.
  3.  
    • Flossie
      CommentAuthorFlossie
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      edited
     
    I would cater for them all if you are not having a wedding breakfast. If people know they are going to a wedding reception and that there is going to be food, they won't be eating before they come xx

    Members signature icon
    Happily married
    18th June 2016
    xx
  4.  
    • CommentAuthorMidgetGem89
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    80% is qhat we do and there is always plenty food! But it depends on the caterer
    As we are using a different one this time i think we will be doing 100% of the numbers unless they say otherwise they have said they see ppl bringing outside caterers in and never have enuff food so no matter how many ppl we cater for she said they will make sure we have more than enuff so going ti have a word

    Our wedding is 3.30 so doing a hot beef arrival buffet as my nana and a few others wont be staying all night and from 3 till 7 onwards is a long time to not eat since dinner time so we will do 100% for that and then maybe im thinking if they say its fine then 80% for the "night time" buffet as we r doing a mix if hot and cold.

    Speak to your caterers a good one will advise on whats best so u have plenty food but not a mass amount of waste (we had a mass amount of waste for my daughters christening lol we sent people home with plates of food so it didnt go to waste) n that was 80% :-)
  5.  
    • AprilS61
      CommentAuthorAprilS61
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    If you're not having a wedding breakfast I would be inclined to say the full 100% too.

    Members signature icon
    Mr & Mrs Swan 04/04/15


  6.  
    • NaomiC8
      CommentAuthorNaomiC8
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    I would probably cater for all of them... As people will probably be coming with hungry bellys.... all 70 of them....
  7.  
    • *KelBel*
      CommentAuthor*KelBel*
      Is poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadge
     
    I would say all of them,if your wedding is at 5 are u not just inviting everyone to it?as its very different to having a wedding at 12 with breakfast then an evening meal that's all? So just wondered

    Members signature icon
    Velcro...my wedding day twinny! The Two Kel's!
    Got engaged 14/10/12 in Central Park NYC!
    Became Mrs Macdonald 13th September 2014
    Mummy to 4 girlies and baby blue boy Due 10/05/2016
  8.  
    • MrsEmmaP
      CommentAuthorMrsEmmaP
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    I am having around 40 close family to the ceremony then we are going onto the venue, daytime guests will having drinks and canapes, then evening guests will arrive from 7pm. This is why I am wondering if the guests that will be joining us at 7/8pm will have already eat.

    Members signature icon
    Got together on 14th March 2010
    Got engaged on 25th December 2013
    Became Mrs P on 14th May 2016 - best day ever!
  9.  
    • *KelBel*
      CommentAuthor*KelBel*
      Is poweruserJust marriedBadgeBadge
     
    If I were evening only I don't eat before 7 as I always expect there'll be something food wise at the reception if that helps? I would have had lunch but probably nothing since around 2pm x

    Members signature icon
    Velcro...my wedding day twinny! The Two Kel's!
    Got engaged 14/10/12 in Central Park NYC!
    Became Mrs Macdonald 13th September 2014
    Mummy to 4 girlies and baby blue boy Due 10/05/2016
  10.  
    • Flossie
      CommentAuthorFlossie
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    I definitely wouldn't be eating anything beforehand if I knew there was going to be a buffet.. and generally at a wedding reception you would expect there to be a buffet or some kind of food! If you're worried about people not realising you could always state on the invitations.. i.e. '____ and ____ would like you to join them to celebrate their marriage with dancing and food' or something along those lines! x

    Members signature icon
    Happily married
    18th June 2016
    xx
  11.  
    • MrsEmmaP
      CommentAuthorMrsEmmaP
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    I did consider that they would expect food, and rightly so as I would too! I think I would be best catering for 100% of the guests, I doubt there will be too much left over.

    Members signature icon
    Got together on 14th March 2010
    Got engaged on 25th December 2013
    Became Mrs P on 14th May 2016 - best day ever!
  12.  
    • Flossie
      CommentAuthorFlossie
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    Better to have too much than too little! You will be saving an awful lot of money anyway by not having the wedding breakfast x

    Members signature icon
    Happily married
    18th June 2016
    xx
  13.  
    • CamilaL
      CommentAuthorCamilaL
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    I would cater for all of them... especially if you're expecting that all of them will go to the party.
  14.  
    • CarrieD26
      CommentAuthorCarrieD26
      Just marriedBadgeBadge
     
    It really depends on your caterer. Some will do plenty for everyone at 100% and then plenty will go to waste. Particularly if you have children and people that are not big eaters and I think some will eat beforehand if they are not attending the ceremony, but you absolutely cannot bank on that!

    Personally, I think as there is no wedding breakfast I would cater for 100% and consider any waste cheaper than a wedding breakfast on top! But I would also definitely speak to the caterers, they may suggest otherwise as they know better than anyone how much food they provide and probably how much goes to waste!

    I've worked in catering for nearly 2 decades and in my experience it varies a great deal on how much food is wasted, but there is always some! Better that and know there was plenty than empty plates and growling tums. Particularly where alcohol is involved!!
  15.  
    • InDreamland
      CommentAuthorInDreamland
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    I'd suggest catering for all 70 including day guests as people at that time will expect to be fed.

    Members signature icon
    Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
    Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!

 

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