Non-Veg Menu for Wedding and Party: Full Menu List + Quantity per Guest
Ask any Indian family what guests remember after a wedding and the answer is usually the food. When the guest list includes non-veg lovers, the menu needs extra thought: which dishes, how many, and how much chicken or mutton to order without running short or wasting half of it. This guide covers everything you need to plan a non-veg menu for a wedding, reception, sagai or big family party: Step 1: Know Your Veg and Non-Veg Split In most families in Madhya Pradesh, a wedding crowd is mixed. Some guests eat non-veg, many don’t, and some avoid it on certain days. Before you plan anything: Separate counters matter. Ask your caterer for separate counters, serving spoons and clear labels for veg and non-veg dishes. Many guests care about this as much as the taste. Step 2: Build the Menu Course by Course A well-balanced non-veg menu for a wedding or reception usually follows this structure. Welcome Drinks Fresh lime soda, mocktails, jaljeera, or hot tomato or chicken soup for winter evenings. Non-Veg Starters (pick 2–3) Tip: Mix one tandoori starter, one kebab and one Chinese starter. That way there is something for every taste and the tandoor doesn’t become a bottleneck. Live Counters (optional but popular) Live counters spread guests out, so there is less crowding at the main buffet. Non-Veg Main Course (pick 1–2) Biryani Breads and Rice Butter naan, tandoori roti, laccha paratha, jeera rice or plain rice. Veg Dishes That Go With Non-Veg Dal makhani, a paneer dish, one dry seasonal sabzi and a green salad. These keep the plate balanced, and vegetarian guests eat them too. Desserts Gulab jamun, gajar ka halwa (winter), rasmalai, kulfi or ice cream, and a paan counter to finish. Step 3: Quantity per Guest (Planning Guide) This is the question every family asks: how much chicken per person for a party? The figures below are common planning estimates for a full menu with 2–3 starters, 2 mains, biryani and dessert. Use them for budgeting, then let your caterer fine-tune them for your crowd. All amounts are per non-veg guest unless marked otherwise. When to increase quantities: When to reduce quantities: Sample Non-Veg Menus by Guest Count Menu A: Intimate Function (about 50 guests) Ideal for sagai, roka, tilak or a birthday dinner For 50 guests with about 25 eating non-veg, plan roughly 4–5 kg raw boneless chicken for the starters and about 5–5.5 kg chicken for the curry. Butter chicken is the only non-veg main here, so its quantity is raised by about 30%. Menu B: Mid-Size Reception (about 100 guests) For 100 guests with about 50 eating non-veg, plan roughly 8–10 kg raw chicken and mutton mince for the starters, 7.5–9 kg chicken and 6–7.5 kg mutton for the two curries, and 12–15 kg cooked biryani. Menu C: Grand Wedding (about 250 guests) For 250 guests, ask your caterer to plan from your RSVP count, not the total guest list. A 40% non-veg share is a sensible starting point for mixed crowds. Seven Tips to Get the Non-Veg Menu Right Hosting the Function at Hotel Varun, Guna At Hotel Varun on AB Road, every banquet is catered by the same kitchen behind our Mosaic restaurant, where guests come back for our chicken and mutton dishes. We plan veg and non-veg menus with you, in North Indian, Chinese and Continental styles, as a buffet or a served meal. Menu tasting is available on request. Explore our banquet halls and in-house catering, or read about the chicken, mutton and grills served at our restaurants. Planning a smaller celebration? See our guide to birthday and anniversary celebration venues in Guna, or the ring ceremony and pre-wedding functions guide. Want a quote for your menu? Call or WhatsApp +91 94259 06777 with your date and guest count. Frequently Asked Questions How much chicken do I need for 100 people? If about half the guests (50 people) eat non-veg, and chicken is the only non-veg item (starter + one curry), plan around 17–21 kg of raw chicken in total. Reduce it if mutton, fish or biryani are also on the menu. How many non-veg starters should a wedding have? Two to three non-veg starters are enough. Choose one tandoori, one kebab and one Indo-Chinese for variety. Should we serve both chicken and mutton? For a reception or wedding dinner, yes. Chicken suits most guests, and mutton makes the menu feel special. For a small function, one chicken curry plus chicken biryani works well. Can veg and non-veg food be served at the same function? Yes, and it is the norm in most Guna weddings. Ask for separate counters, utensils and clear labels so vegetarian guests are comfortable. Is biryani a starter or a main course? Biryani is served with the main course. Many guests treat it as their main dish, so plan 250–300 g cooked per non-veg plate. Quantities in this guide are planning estimates. Your caterer will adjust them based on your final menu, timing and guest mix.




