How many passed appetizers per person?

doublenn

Hi all!

I'm wondering how many pieces of passed appetizers to budget per guest? I feel most caterers do 3 pieces per person, but I know from personal experience I've probably eaten more than that at weddings I've attended 

The passed appetizers will go around during cocktail hour, and then we're moving to a plated dinner with a salad course, and cake afterwards.

Thanks!

cwaggoner07

Don't most caterers just take the head count given and go from there? Maybe discuss it with them, as they will know exactly what to do to accomodate your guests. GL!

doublenn

Our caterer actually sell pased appetizers by the dozen rather than by person, so the count is currently around 3 a person, and if I wanted more, I'd have to ask for more dozens.

cwaggoner07

Weird... do they have any recommendations, such as X dozen per person? I think 3 sounds about right... and you're serving a plated dinner afterwards, so that should be fine, as people will be fed shortly after.
I think 3 will work! GL!

Sue-n-Kevin

If your budget allows for 3 per person, they will pass the appetizers until they are gone, then stop passing them. Passed apps result in less being eaten, unless you are passing things that people tend to take more of, like shrimp

vexie

We had three different passed appetizers, with three of each available for each guest (so there was enough for each guest to have 9 appetizers in total during the hour).   Our appetizers were all on the large size so each one was quite filling and there was more than enough food to go around

Maggie0829

We had passed and station apps.  For the passed we had 3 per person while the stationed was enough for the entire guest list.

I think 3 per person will be enough especially since you are then going to have a plated dinner right afterwards.

If you are concerned about not having enough apps then ask your caterer about stationed apps (such as veggie display, cheese display, etc) to them allow your guests to have extra food once the passed apps run out.

collicat

Figure more.  I don't know how many wedding I have been to where they were out of appetizers before most of the guests arrived.  

lyndausvi

5-7 pieces per person is standard for a cocktail hour.   

doublenn

Thanks for the input everyone! I've asked the caterer to include more pieces per person in the contract. It'll up my cost, but I want my guests to have a great time.