Mes Invités How many canapés per person?
Allow 9 to 12 pieces per person for a two-hour drinks reception followed by a full dinner, and 16 to 24 pieces if the cocktail replaces the meal. The longer the drinks reception and the later the dinner, the more you need.
Updated on 7 October 2026
Depending on the length and the meal that follows
| Length of the drinks reception | Full dinner afterwards | Dinner without a starter, or late | The drinks reception replaces the meal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 minutes | 4 à 5 | 6 à 7 | — |
| 1 hour | 5 à 7 | 7 à 9 | — |
| 1:30 am | 7 à 9 | 9 à 11 | — |
| 2 hours | 9 à 12 | 11 à 14 | 16 à 20 |
| 2:30 am | 11 à 14 | 13 à 16 | 18 à 22 |
| 3 hours | 12 à 15 | 15 à 18 | 20 à 24 |
The calculator
The total number of pieces
| Guests | 8 pieces | 10 pieces | 12 pieces | 18 pieces | 24 pieces |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 guests | 400 | 500 | 600 | 900 | 1 200 |
| 80 guests | 640 | 800 | 960 | 1 440 | 1 920 |
| 100 guests | 800 | 1 000 | 1 200 | 1 800 | 2 400 |
| 120 guests | 960 | 1 200 | 1 440 | 2 160 | 2 880 |
| 150 guests | 1 200 | 1 500 | 1 800 | 2 700 | 3 600 |
| 200 guests | 1 600 | 2 000 | 2 400 | 3 600 | 4 800 |
Add 5 to 10% margin depending on the format.
Savoury, sweet, hot
| Reception | Savoury | Sweet | Hot pieces | Vegetarian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drinks reception before a dinner | 85 à 95 % | 0 à 15 % | 25 à 40 % | At least 15 to 25% |
| Finger-food reception | 70 à 80 % | 20 à 30 % | 30 à 45 % | 20 à 30 % |
Above 28°C, favour cold and chilled dishes, limit fried food and plan light desserts.
A piece is not a unit
A cocktail of 18 large pieces can feed more than another of 24 bite-sized morsels. To compare two offers, ask for the average weight, or at least the breakdown: canapés, verrines, mini sandwiches, hot items, live stations.
The price
A caterer who publishes their rates lists 18 € per person for a drinks reception of 14 pieces. A buffet-style cocktail dinner costs 25 to 60 € per person depending on the format, from 30 to 35 € for 20 pieces.
Frequently asked questions
- How many canapés per person at the drinks reception?
- From 9 to 12 pieces per person for a two-hour drinks reception followed by a full dinner, 5 to 7 for one hour, 12 to 15 for three hours.
- How many pieces for a dinner cocktail?
- From 16 to 24 pieces per person when the reception replaces the meal, depending on its length and the size of the pieces.
- How many pieces for 100 guests?
- 900 to 1.200 pieces for a two-hour drinks reception before a full dinner, 1.800 to 2.400 for a cocktail dinner.
- Are all venues equal?
- No. A 12 g bite and a 45 g mini skewer each count as one piece. Ask for the average weight or the list of pieces to compare two quotes.
Sources and method
- Records from a wedding caterer in business since 2012: benchmarks for preparation and service.
- Rates published by suppliers and local authorities, recorded on 7 October 2026: publicly displayed prices, by duration, type of venue and level of service; suppliers are not named.
- Specialist magazine, article from February 2026: €13.500 for 100 guests.
Private studies and guides are described without being named; public bodies are cited with their link.
Each figure is labelled: Official public statistic; Observed expenses declared after the wedding; Survey declared intentions or estimates; Market price ranges seen among suppliers; Calculation calculated preparation benchmark, not a statistic.
These are orders of magnitude for mainland France. A local quote always takes precedence, and a price per person only makes sense if you know what it includes. Last updated: 7 October 2026.