Wedding Food Calculator
Turn a guest count into real food quantities: appetizer pieces, cooked protein by weight, sides, salad, bread rolls and coffee, for plated or buffet service.
| Item | Rule | Quantity |
|---|
How each number is worked out
Appetizers: 4 pieces per guest for plated service, 6 pieces per guest for a buffet — pieces = guests x the rate for your style. Switch appetizers off and this line is 0.
Protein: 8 oz of cooked protein per guest plated, 10 oz per guest at a buffet — pounds = guests x ounces / 16.
Sides: 4 oz per guest for each side — pounds per side = guests x 4 / 16, and the sides total multiplies that by the number of sides.
Salad: 3 oz per guest — pounds = guests x 3 / 16.
Bread rolls: 1.5 rolls per guest, rounded up to whole rolls, and dozens = rolls / 12 rounded up.
Coffee: 1 cup per guest, and gallons = guests x 8 oz / 128 oz per gallon, which is guests / 16.
All weights are rounded to 1 decimal place. Dessert is not included here — the cake calculator covers it.
Frequently asked questions
How much food do I need for 100 guests at a buffet?
For 100 buffet guests with appetizers and 2 sides: 600 appetizer pieces, 62.5 lb of cooked protein, 25.0 lb of each side (50.0 lb of sides in total), 18.8 lb of salad, 150 bread rolls (13 dozen) and 6.3 gallons of coffee.
How much protein do I need for 100 guests?
At 10 oz of cooked protein per buffet guest, 100 guests need 1,000 oz, which is 62.5 lb. Plated service uses 8 oz per guest, which is 50.0 lb for 100 guests.
How many appetizers do I need for 50 guests?
Buffet service is 6 pieces per guest, so 50 guests need 300 pieces. Plated service is 4 pieces per guest, so 50 guests need 200 pieces.
How many bread rolls do I need for 100 guests?
At 1.5 rolls per guest, 100 guests need 150 rolls, which buys as 13 dozen (156 rolls).
How much coffee do I need for 200 guests?
1 cup per guest at 8 oz a cup is 200 cups, which is 12.5 gallons for 200 guests. For 100 guests it is 6.3 gallons.
How much salad do I need for 150 guests?
At 3 oz per guest, 150 guests need 450 oz of salad, which is 28.1 lb.
Common guest counts (buffet, appetizers on, 2 sides)
| Guests | Appetizer pieces | Protein (lb) | Each side (lb) | Sides total (lb) | Salad (lb) | Bread rolls | Coffee (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 300 | 31.3 | 12.5 | 25.0 | 9.4 | 75 | 3.1 |
| 100 | 600 | 62.5 | 25.0 | 50.0 | 18.8 | 150 | 6.3 |
| 150 | 900 | 93.8 | 37.5 | 75.0 | 28.1 | 225 | 9.4 |
| 200 | 1200 | 125.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 37.5 | 300 | 12.5 |