Fish, Meat, Vegetarian? Should guests select their entrées before the wedding?

Last Updated: March 13, 2021

Did you include an insert when you sent out your invitation for your guests to be able to select their entrées?

This might be a good idea and will help your caterer with the cost. As well as help with cost and prep.

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But the biggest question is, do you or are you thinking of assigning someone to do the follow-ups and tracking the meal choices?

Now depending on the number of your guests, let’s say 300 guests, tracking entrée choices can be a bit of a task.

So, should guests select their entrées before the wedding?

If you are working with a wedding planner/coordinator, then yes, this might be doable.

However, tracking all choices on your own is time-consuming.

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If you feel that this will be worth the savings you will have with your caterer; we’d say it is a good choice.

An option that you can consider is to ask for “dietary restrictions” instead of making them choose a meal.

You can leave a note on the RSVP card along the lines of “please inform us of any dietary restrictions.”

Knowing most of your guests; you will most likely have an idea of any major dietary restrictions that might come up.

If there are 10-20% dietary restrictions that you have to note and send to your caterer, that is still more manageable than asking every guest to send in a choice.

Assuming they have no dietary restriction, serving the original menu that you and your caterer have decided will still be a much more manageable way to go.

This usually works for plated meals. For a buffet, family, and cocktail-style reception, having an “ingredient card” that will help your guests know exactly what’s on their food.

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Putting together a wedding website where your guests can leave their choices or leave their dietary restrictions, it will make the process much more manageable and easier to track!

A seating plan where you assign these dietary restrictions will help your caterer and your wedding/venue coordinator to ensure the meals are placed on the proper seats!

If you plan an at-home wedding with guests to attend virtually, you can let them pick their entreé if you plan to send them a care package or a meal where they can also celebrate at home!

There you are! Should guests select their entrées before the wedding?