Hosting a party means walking the tightrope between "not enough food" (embarrassing) and "way too much food" (expensive and wasteful). The right amount depends on the type of event, how long it lasts, and what you're serving.
The Golden Rules of Party Food
Per-Person Amounts (General Guidelines)
Appetizers only (cocktail party): 6-8 pieces per person per hour
Appetizers before a meal: 3-4 pieces per person
Main course (protein): 6-8 oz per person
Side dishes: 4-6 oz per side, per person
Salad: 1-1.5 cups per person
Bread/rolls: 1.5-2 per person
Dessert: 1 serving per person (many won't eat it)
Drinks: The Often-Underestimated Category
Non-alcoholic: Plan for 2 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 per hour after that. A 3-hour party with 30 guests needs about 120 drinks (sodas, water, juice).
Beer: 2 beers per person for the first hour, 1 per hour after. A 4-hour party with 20 guests needs about 100 beers (~4 cases).
Wine: One bottle serves about 5 glasses. Plan 1-2 glasses per person per hour. A 3-hour dinner party with 12 guests needs about 5-7 bottles.
Ice: The most forgotten item. Plan 1-1.5 pounds of ice per person. For 30 guests, that's 30-45 pounds — more than most people expect.
Adjust for These Factors
Time of day matters. Lunch events need 15-20% less food than dinner events. Late-night parties need more snacky food and drinks.
Duration changes everything. A 2-hour party needs less food per person than a 5-hour party. For events over 4 hours, plan for a second wave of food.
Guest demographics. A group of adults eats more than families with kids. An athletic crowd may eat 20-30% more. Older adults tend to eat less.
Variety increases consumption. People eat more when there are more choices. If you offer 3 appetizers, people try all 3. With 8 options, they might try 6-7. More variety = more food needed.
💡 The 80% Rule
Not everyone eats everything. Plan as if 80% of guests will eat each item, not 100%. This prevents massive overbuying while still having plenty of food.
Buffet vs. Plated: Different Math
Buffet style: People serve themselves and typically take 20-30% more food than a plated meal. Plan for 1 pound of total food per person (including all courses).
Plated meals: Portions are controlled, so you need less total food. Plan for 12-14 oz of food per person total (protein + sides + salad).
Common Party Size Cheat Sheet
BBQ for 20 People
Burgers/hot dogs: 30 total (1.5 per person)
Buns: 30 + 6 extra
Chips: 3-4 large bags
Salad: 5-6 lbs mixed greens
Drinks: 60-80 total (mix of soda, water, beer)
Ice: 20-30 lbs
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Plan Budget →The Bottom Line
Better to have 10-15% too much food than to run out. Use the per-person guidelines, adjust for your specific event, and always overestimate drinks and ice. Your guests will remember a great party — not exact portion sizes.