01
Planning the menu
Plated, buffet, family style or stations — chosen for the experience, then priced with staff and rentals.
- Service style first
- A substantial vegetarian option
- Seasonal food
- Taste as it will be served
The wedding day · 6 subtopics: Food, drink & cake
Menus, service styles, dietary needs, the bar, signature cocktails, cakes, dessert tables and late-night food.
02
Dietary needs and allergies
Collect needs on the RSVP, give the caterer a named list and ask how special meals are handled.
- Ask on the RSVP
- A named list for the caterer
- Clear labels
- Cross-contact precautions
03
Drinks and the bar
About two drinks per guest in the first hour and one per hour after; beer, wine and a signature cocktail is a generous middle ground.
- Estimate with the formula
- Signature cocktails
- Great non-alcoholic options
- Safe rides home
04
Wedding cake
Tier sizes depend on servings; a small display cake plus a kitchen sheet cake saves money.
- Servings for 75–100% of guests
- Buttercream vs fondant
- Delivery and storage
- Cutting fees
05
Dessert tables and alternatives
Pies, doughnuts, cookies, cultural sweets or a family recipe — two or three small pieces per guest when they replace cake.
- Label everything
- Stable stands
- Plates and napkins
- Keep candles away
06
Cocktail hour and late-night food
Four to six pieces per person for an hour before dinner; late-night snacks two to three hours into the party.
- Something filling early
- Passed or stationed
- Late-night comfort food
- Food for vendors
Articles on food & cake.
Reception, food & music3 min read
Wedding cake and dessert tables: servings, sizes and styling
How much cake you need, tier sizes and servings, cutting cakes, dessert tables that work and the details bakers ask about.
Reception, food & music3 min read
A wedding menu your guests will remember
Plated, buffet, family style or stations — how to choose, build a balanced menu and plan the quiet details.
Reception, food & music3 min read
How much alcohol for a wedding? The formula and a calculator
Drinks per guest per hour, splits for wine, beer and spirits, sparkling for toasts and non-alcoholic options.
Reception, food & music4 min read
Late-Night Wedding Food Ideas: Snack Stations That Keep the Party Going
When to serve late-night food, what works well for a crowd, how to keep the cost low, and the questions to ask your caterer before you add it.
Free tools for food & cake
