How Much Food to Order

Your caterer should be able to figure out amounts. Just talk to them.

Have you tried asking the caterer what they recommend? They usually have a pretty good idea of this.

Ask your caterer. We do this every day.

I recommend asking your caterer.

You have a caterer, right??

Wombat- I feel like that was what everyone was dancing around.

Yes-we do have a caterer. It's a local Italian restaurant that just does food drop off. It will be buffet style. Just thought I'd check here since I'm guessing the caterer will ask me how much of each entree I want.

Breanna, ok good! Glad you have a caterer Have you thought about set up and who will keep the food at proper temps, etc.?

I would assume if you tell them how many guests they can help you decide how much of each dish you want.

If it's buffet style I would say half and half is fine, or you could ask your guests to choose an entree on their invitations, but I think that is typically done only for plated dinners.

Who will be there to make sure the food remains at a safe temperature to eat?

This is something you finalize with your catering company about 1-2 weeks out when you tell them how many guests you have.

Find someone you can afford and a price point (40$/person or what have you) then- estimate your guest list (like an actual real estimate)- then you send invites- then you get RSVPs- then you tell the catering company how many you will actually have.

Wombat & Mrs. Knolle- We will only be having the buffet out for 2 hours maximum (probably closer to an hour and a half) which is the standard health code time limit. We will also be using chafing dishes for the warm stuff during that time.

Thanks guys-I'll see what my caterer has to say also.

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't eat pasta/chicken that has been sitting for an hour and a half, even if it was in a chafing dish. That is gross.

Your caterer should recommend how much you will need. I had no idea how much I would need until I spoke with my caterer.

I would hire people to work at the actual reception. They will make sure everything is going smoothly and the food is staying at safe temperatures.