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Alyssa
Dedicated October 2013

Guest List Number Vs. Caterer Number

Alyssa, on September 3, 2013 at 12:14 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 7

I have a final count for the guests attending the wedding, adults and children. However, I'm afraid of other people showing up or telling me last minute that they can make it now. My current number is 67 adults, including Pastor and DJ, and 7 children. My Pastor said he doesn't think he will stay for the meal, only for the cocktail hour. We are having a buffet style dinner, but for the main course, it's stuffed chicken breast with a sauce. So I need one chicken breast per person. So I need at least 67 of those. The rest is vegetables, mashed potatoes, salad, fruit salad, and other foods that are to be done buffet style. The children are either going to have chicken nuggets or pizza. I'm probably going to go with the chicken nuggets. And all of the children are younger. Range from 1 year to 7 years. So the toddlers won't each much, but the older ones will eat their helping, i'm sure.

Now that you have the basics..... lol

How many people should I tell my caterer? Adults? Children?

7 Comments

Latest activity by Gamecock Mrs., on September 3, 2013 at 1:06 PM
  • MJ
    Master June 2013
    MJ ·
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    67

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  • Courtney
    Super May 2013
    Courtney ·
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    I told our caterer about 10% less than we expected because of all the stories I read about no-shows and cancellations. The venue said I could add people last-minute, but not subtract, so I purposely underestimated. Then about 48 hours before, I gave them my true best guess for how many would come. We only had one no-show (she got the flu).

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  • Crystal A.
    Super October 2013
    Crystal A. ·
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    I Agree with mj 67

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  • Belais
    VIP October 2013
    Belais ·
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    I would say 67.

    You can check with the caterer, but in my experience, the caterer accounts for the fact that more people may show and makes a little more food just in case (it would look pretty bad if there wasn't enough food, after all).

    If there is extra food (all the weddings I've been to, that's been the case, including my first wedding), you could potentially serve it when you have your gift opening, if you have that. Or divvy it up between family members, etc.

    After my cousin's wedding in May, she had food/dessert leftover, so we ate it the next day when they opened their gifts.

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  • Alyssa
    Dedicated October 2013
    Alyssa ·
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    Oh wow. My FH and I were going to tell the caterer 70 Adults and 10 children just incase we got a few last minute add-ons. I'm guessing that isn't a good idea??? lol

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  • Belais
    VIP October 2013
    Belais ·
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    I would ask the caterer what their practice is. If they do include a bit extra in case more people show up, I'd tell them your real numbers. If they don't include a bit extra, then maybe tack on a few.

    Different caterers may do things differently.

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  • Gamecock Mrs.
    Master October 2014
    Gamecock Mrs. ·
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    My job requires us to get catering weekly in a buffet style. If it's one chicken breast per person, I would order a few more. What if someone wants two? What if they are small?

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