Estimating Quantity

Estimating hors d'oeuvres and drink quantities

Light hors d'oeuvres- afternoon 7-12 pcs/per guest
Pre-dinner- 4-6 pcs/per guest when dinner will follow
Heavy hors d'oeuvres in lieu of dinner-1 0-15 pcs/per guest

Please note that younger people and males often consume more food and drink and you may need to adjust your quantities accordingly. People tend to eat more when they drink, and eat less when they feel like people are watching. Passing hors d'oeuvres is one way to monitor consumption when on a tight budget. Be sure and check with your caterer so the passing is not more expensive than the food saved!

University policy limits the consumption of alcoholic drinks to 1 per hour for a maximum of 4 hours. One formula calculates 70% of adult guests will consume alcohol, and again this will vary with the audience.

Volume breakdown:

1 bottle of wine= six 4 oz glasses
1 case of wine=24 bottles
1 bottle of champagne=6 glasses
1 case of beer=24 12 oz bottles
1 keg beer=165.3 12 oz bottles
1 keg beer=7 cases of beer
1 pony keg=83 12 oz beers or 7.75 gallons
1 mini keg=5 gallons