So, here's the golden rule: plan for 2-3 hors d'oeuvres per person for the first hour of the party, and then 1-2 per person for each subsequent hour. This way, you'll ensure that everyone has enough to snack on without getting too full before the main meal. And don't forget to consider the type of hors d'oeuvres you're serving - if they're really rich or filling, you may want to plan for fewer per person.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "But what if my guests are all foodies and will eat everything in sight?" Well, in that case, you may want to bump up the number of hors d'oeuvres per person to 4-5 for the first hour, just to be safe. And if you're serving a lot of veggie options, you may want to plan for more per person, since they tend to be less filling than meat or cheese-based options.
Planning Wedding Appetizers: How Many Bites Per Guest? | ShunBridal
And then there's the time of day to consider - if you're hosting a brunch or breakfast party, you may want to plan for more hors d'oeuvres per person, since people tend to be hungrier in the morning. On the other hand, if you're hosting a cocktail party in the evening, you may be able to get away with fewer per person, since people will be more focused on drinking and socializing than eating.
