How Many Napkins to Order for Your Wedding
Need help calculating what kind of napkins and how many you will need for your wedding reception? Here are some helpful guidelines to follow when ordering napkins for every aspect of your wedding reception.
When ordering wedding napkins for your reception, make a list of the different areas of your reception venue that will require napkins throughout your wedding reception timeline. From cocktail hour to dessert, we will guide you through the different uses for napkins and how many you should plan on ordering to ensure you don't run out at any time during your special celebration.
How Many Cocktail Napkins for Wedding
Pre-folded paper cocktail napkins measure 5 inches wide by 5 inches long and 10 inches wide by 10 inches long when unfolded. The smallest of the three most common napkin sizes (cocktail, luncheon and dinner) cocktail napkins are used for serving drinks, appetizers and desserts.
If you are only serving drinks during cocktail hour, plan on ordering 2 to 3 napkins per guest. If you are expecting 100 guests, then you should order 250 to 300 napkins.
If you are serving appetizers during cocktail hour and using cocktail napkins for the cake and desserts table, plan on order 3 to 4 napkins per guest. If expecting 100 guests, then you should order 350 to 400 napkins.
Drinks at the bar or drink station - Plan on ordering two to three (2 - 3) cocktail napkins per guest for serving drinks since guests will normally make several trips to the bar or drink station during the reception. The bartender will place a single napkin with each beverage to absorb condensation and for drying the lips.
Appetizers - Plan on ordering one (1) cocktail napkin per guest if serving appetizers before the main course. Not all guests will indulge in appetizers and the ones who do most likely will visit the hors d'oeuvres table only once.
Wedding cake and desserts - Plan on ordering one (1) cocktail napkin per guest for the cake table and desserts table. Guests usually go up to the cake or dessert table once. Cake is typically served on a small dessert plate, therefore, a small cocktail napkin is the perfect size for serving with cake.
Luncheon Napkins
Measuring 6 1/2 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches long folded and 13 inches wide by 13 inches long when unfolded, paper luncheon napkins provide 60 percent more surface area than cocktail napkins. Not too small and not to big, luncheon size napkins provide useful option between cocktail and dinner napkins for many uses during your wedding reception.
Breakfast, brunch and dinner buffets - Order one to two (1 - 2) luncheon napkins per guest if you are planning a wedding breakfast, brunch or dinner buffet. Luncheon napkins are a convenient size for carrying with silverware when guests are self-serving at a wedding buffet. Most guest will make only one trip to the buffet line.
Outdoor picnic-style wedding reception - Plan on ordering one to two (1 - 2) luncheon napkins per guest for an outdoor wedding reception. Luncheon napkins are a nice size for a picnic-style reception where guests will self-serve their reception meal with ease of handling being the key to napkin sizing.
Cake and desserts - Want a bigger napkin for serving desserts? Luncheon napkins provide 60 percent more surface area than cocktail napkins when fully unfolded. Plan on ordering one (1) luncheon napkin per guest for the cake and desserts table.
To-go boxes or bags - Providing to-go boxes or bags for your casual wedding reception guests to take home? Order 2 luncheon napkins per guest to put on top of or in a bag with your wedding take-out boxes.
Dinner Napkins
Measuring 8 1/2 inches wide by 8 1/2 inches long folded and 17 inches wide by 17 inches long when unfolded, paper dinner napkins provide 60 percent more surface area than luncheon-size napkins. Popular for reception table settings, dinner napkins are typically folded and placed under silver ware or wrapped around silverware and secured with a paper or ornamental napkin ring.
Catered Dinner - If dinner is being served at the dinner tables, one dinner napkin per person will be sufficient. Order a few extra for later or unexpected guests.
Buffet or cafeteria style dinners and luncheons - Guests may make a second trip to the buffet table or cafeteria line. Order 1 1/2 to 2 dinner napkins per guest to ensure you don't run out before your dinner party is over.
Guest Towels
Pre-folded paper guest towels (bathroom hand towels) measure 8 1/4 inches long by 4 1/2 inches wide. Commonly used in the guest restrooms or bathrooms, guest towels are placed in a hospitality basket on each sink or vanity for drying hands. Guest towels also provide an elegant, pre-folded napkin for the dinner tables.
Bathroom and Public Restrooms - When using guest towels for your washrooms We advise placing 2-3 guest towels per guest in your washrooms.
Dinner Table - When using guest towels as dinner napkins, plan for 1 to 1 1/2 guest towels per guest.
Looking for a thicker, more elegant disposable paper guest towel? Consider our premium linen feel disposable guest towels or premium Bella bamboo fiber disposable guest towel napkins.
Linen feel guest towels - Personalized linen feel guest towels are made of thick, woven paper fibers and have the look and feel of linen at a fraction of the cost.
Premium Bella bamboo fiber guest towels - Personalized Bella premium wedding guest towel napkins are made of fine pressed bamboo fibers that create a silky smooth texture and are just as absorbent as standard paper napkin guest towels and premium fine linen look guest towels.