How many dinner courses is standard?

becohen15

Hello -  I am getting married on October 18 and have to finalize the menu on Monday.  We have a choice of serving salad, entree and wedding cake or salad, soup, entree and wedding cake.  I don't know how many courses is standard or expected and would love any advice or info you can offer.  I am worried that people may leave hungry with salad, entree and cake.  But, I am also worried that salad, then soup, then entree, then cake will take up a lot of time at the reception and not leave much time for dancing.  Also, would that be too much food?  I would hate to waste money on an extra course that nobody ate.  TIA for any advice.Beth

mbcdefg

I've seen a variety of styles. I think a lot of it depends on where you live. I'm from the North Jersey/metro NYC area, and for us a "typical" wedding has an appetizer (like fresh mozzarella and tomato), a salad or soup course, sometimes an intermezzo/palate cleanser (a small scoop of sorbet), the entree course, and then the wedding cake and a Viennese hour (large dessert buffet). That's all following a large cocktail hour with multiple food stations and passed hors d'oeuvres. I went to my cousin's wedding in Florida a couple years ago, and the cocktail hour was a beef carving station and about three platters of cheese, vegetables and crackers. The reception meal consisted of a salad, the entree and then a slice of wedding cake. MUCH less than the Jersey weddings I've been to, but I left feeling quite satisfied and not hungry at all. My dad even commented that it was nice to see a wedding with "just enough" food, instead of the overindulgence we're used to at home. So I think you'd be fine with three courses if that's what you want to serve.

hollieheidi

I'm not sure about the proper number of courses, but I don't think that I would want soup with dancing, drinking, etc.  Maybe it's just me, but I keep imagining me with soup on the front of my dress all night! :-)I'd add a few more heavy apps instead of the soup course maybe. IMO

kmmssg

I don't think all 4 will be too much at all, and I really don't think it will eat up too much extra time from the dancing. 

Catwoman708

Probably three or four is standard, and seems like plenty of food: Appetizer (if you're having cocktail hour before dinner, this can suffice as a course). soup or salad main course (meat, vegetables, and bread) dessert

flutgrl1

the less courses that people have to stay caged & bored at their assigned tables the better!!!!!!! less is more! More to eat during the mingling portion of the cocktail hour is best. No one wants to sit thru a tedious dinner. Plus if the bar is closed during the meal like I've seen many a time, then it just makes it more like suffering than a festive event.

becohen15

Hi Everybody -     Thanks for the replies.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but the point about spilling soup down my dress is a good one.  lol  And we only have the room for 4 hours, so maybe people would end up feeling that they were captive at the tables for too long and the dancing part too short.  I will ask the caterer what is standard / expected in this area.Thanks again!