What happens to the food planned for the no-shows? Can I take it?

Hmm - I never thought of this. following

I don't think most venues will allow the food to be taken as once it leaves the facility they cannot ensure proper food handling which increases the possibility of illness.

I think it varies by venue. I know there is a place around here that doesn't let you take the leftover food and then even though it's already been paid for, the caterer puts it into some kind of lunch catering vending machine at office buildings and lets it get paid for again. I know this because one of my coworkers used to work for that caterer and she told me. I have never heard of one of these types of vending machines so it was hard to picture it.

I think according to most state health code rules, catered food can't be given out after. Some caterers will box it up for you and let you take it home anyway though (or give it to the family).

Depends on the venue - Mine wouldn't but my cousin's wedding this weekend sent them home with a ton of leftovers. Even offered the guests to-go boxes. I thought it was bizarre because I had never seen such a thing

Normally I would assume no, due to liability (if you get food poisoning later etc). We didn't even ask, but ours was a buffet. You can always ask.

I see. I guess they're right about the safety issues, but it also means some food will be thrown away, which kind of annoys me.

I won't ask if we can keep it, but I do hope they give it to the cooks or the cleaning personnel afterwards.

It's generally written in your contract as to whether it can be taken or not. My parents had a small wedding (40 guests), they had a minimum and after the plates were served including the DJ and photographers (only vendors not included in venue package), there were still 15 leftover plates. We were allowed to take the food but instead my parents fed the entire staff from of the day. We're having a small wedding as well and I think we'll do the same.

Seems like you should be able to take it home, what's the difference between this and taking home your leftovers when you go out to dinner?

If they are insured, most won't be able to.

I'm having a buffet style so if I get a lot of no shows, they better be going for seconds!

It depends on the health codes for your state.

Probably not.

Depends on a lot of things: venue, caterer, state health code laws. Talk to your caterer.

My caterer donates the leftover food to an organization that feeds the homeless, and they had to get certified or something to do that.

That question is listed in the FAQ's on our venue's website and their answer is no, you cannot take any food off the premises.

I'm having a buffet wedding, and the venue told me that any left overs I can just take home seeing that I've already paid for it all. I would ask your venue just to be sure! (:

Most places I do not think will allow you to take home food for food safety reasons. I am not sure why you can take doggy bags at restaurants, but I do not believe most venues/caterers will allow this. I would ask them. If they won't let you take it home, maybe they can offer up the no show plates as seconds or something? It would be nice too if you could offer the food to the staff.

FutureMBH: I like that idea, and I wouldn't feel as uncomfortable asking for that. I just really want to make sure they're not throwing away good food (that I paid for!) but it'd be awesome if they feed the staff.

I think most places with in house caters wont let you take food home, from what i have seen when i was looking. But if you are having your reception in a place that doesnt handle food ( bringing in catering ) i beleive they let you. I know in my case anything left over the cater said she would pack everything up for us to take home.

Most won't let you take the food home.

We asked our venue because we had 3 no shows (still pissed about that) and we were told the Chef doesn't make any extra. He cooks until everyone has food then stops. I think it was the best excuse the girl could come up for "We can't ensure food quality after it leaves" which sucked cuz all I wanted was a doggie bag for DH and I!!