Expert: Patty Sachs - 5/9/2009

Question
We are throwing a couples wedding party for ~40 people in our home. The honorees do not drink, and have requested a gift card shower theme. My thoughts are 7-PM desserts or "snacks &sweets". Welcome suggestions on invitation wording and amount of food to offer. How can I be sure that the guests do not expect dinner? Is PM late enough? Thank you!

Answer
Sandy:

Sorry for the delay, I thought I answered this question.

Since they do not drink, do they object to others drinking?  Is wine or gently spiked punch an option for those who would enjoy it?  If so that usually means people eat a little more so the light snacks would be good.

If not and you stick to the desserts, including a fruit and cheese tray, then serving coffee, tea and soft drinks would be fine--no chips, dips, etc. which people usually equate to party drinks.  

For most people, 7 pm would be dessert time but clarifying that on the invitation is essential.  If you say "Snacks and Sweets" some may think they can fill up on snacks--and skip dinner.  They will be hungry and you will need more food.  Am I making some sense here?

As far as amounts, that really depends upon your guest list--if you know them well enough to predict their appetites that would be good, but pretty unlikely to know everyone.  I would allow for two servings of whatever you serve, there will definitely be those who are extra hungry, having missed dinner due to the timing.  

I am attaching a list of sites that deal with quantities to serve:
Links for determining food quantities:

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16274000.tip.html
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/Determining-Food-Quantities-When-...
http://entertaining.about.com/cs/recipesandmenus/a/foodquantity.htm
http://www.ellenskitchen.com/bigpots/plan/quicklook.html
http://www.partyplansplus.com/quantities.htm

I hope this has been of help. Have a wonderful party.

Patty Sachs