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How Much Appetizers for a 25 Guests Wedding?

Wedding • 25 guests

Your Total
10
platters
of appetizers
247
total servings
9.9
per person
15%
buffer

Note: This assumes appetizers is your main food. If serving multiple foods, reduce this amount by 30-40%.

📐 Why This Amount Works

1
Estimate actual eaters
25 guests × 95% eating rate
At small events, about 95% of guests will eat full servings. 24 eaters
2
Calculate servings (as main dish)
24 eaters × 8 pieces per person
As a main dish, plan for 8 pieces per person. 192 base servings
3
Apply wedding modifier
× 1.3 (+30% for appetizers)
Weddings typically consume 30% more appetizers than average. 247 pieces needed
4
Convert to platters
247 pieces ÷ 30 per platter
Each platter provides 30 pieces. 8.2 platters (raw)
5
Add 15% buffer & round up
8.2 × 1.15 = 9.4, rounded up
Always round up and add a buffer. Running out of food is worse than having leftovers! 10 platters
Caterer-Tested Formula
Our calculations are based on real event data from professional caterers and party planners.

📊 Quick Reference: Appetizers by Guest Count

Guests Appetizers Needed Total Servings
25 guests (you) 10 platters 247 servings
50 guests 20 platters 494 servings
75 guests 30 platters 741 servings
100 guests 40 platters 988 servings
150 guests 60 platters 1482 servings
200 guests 80 platters 1976 servings

* All calculations include a 15% buffer. Amounts for wedding as main dish.

🛒 Your Complete Shopping List

🍢
Appetizers
10 platters
Serving platters — For presentation
1 platters Buy →
Cocktail napkins
100 napkins Buy →
Toothpicks — For skewered items
1 box
Small plates
38 plates Buy →

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💡 Pro Tips for Wedding Food

  • Plan 6-8 appetizer pieces per guest for a 1-hour cocktail hour before dinner.
  • Sliders are a late-night hit after dancing starts - plan 2 per guest for after 10pm.
  • If serving tacos, offer 3 protein options minimum for dietary variety.
  • Food trucks are trendy - plan 20% extra as guests tend to go back for seconds.
  • Passed appetizers disappear 40% faster than stationed ones - plan accordingly.

Buying Guide

For wedding receptions, appetizers during cocktail hour are essential. Plan 6-8 pieces per guest for a 1-hour cocktail hour. If you're doing late-night snacks (pizza, sliders, tacos), plan for 70% of guests still present to eat again around 10-11pm.

🍺 Complete Your Bar

Don't forget the drinks! See our drink calculators for this event:

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