Why evening food matters
By mid-evening, day guests are hungry again and evening guests may not have eaten. Hot, filling food keeps energy up and the party going.
Live paella
Served quickly from the pan into bowls, paella is warming, filling and fun to watch cook. It also covers different diets with separate pans.
Tapas and boards
Sharing boards of cheese and cured meats, with bread and olives, are easy to graze through the evening.
Something sweet
Churros with chocolate or a dessert table are popular late in the evening.
How much evening food?
Not every evening guest eats, especially if day guests had a big meal. Many couples cater for a proportion of the evening list. Your caterer can advise for your timings.
Serving style
Serving from the pans into bowls keeps it quick and informal, and guests can eat standing or sitting.
Diets in the evening
Evening guests have dietary needs too. Include them in your RSVP question and give your caterer the numbers.
Paella as evening food
Paella works particularly well as evening food because it’s hot and filling, it can be served quickly to a crowd, and it covers different diets with separate pans. Guests who didn’t come to the ceremony get a proper meal, and day guests who have been dancing are usually glad of a second plate.
Serve it in bowls with forks so guests can eat standing or sitting, and have napkins and bins close by.
Popular evening food ideas
- Live paella: hot, filling and quick to serve to a crowd.
- Tapas and sharing boards: easy to graze all evening.
- Bowl food: small bowls that can be eaten standing up.
- Late-night sweets: churros, a dessert table or the wedding cake.
- Cheese and charcuterie: boards of cheese, ham, bread and chutney.
Whatever you choose, make sure there’s a vegetarian option and that dishes are labelled for allergens.
Timing and numbers
Serve evening food after the first dance, when people are ready for a break. Not every guest eats, so ask your caterer how many to cater for based on your timings. See portion sizes.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll suggest a menu and send a quote.