How much does wedding catering cost?
How much does wedding catering cost?
$30 – $150 per guest (food only)
$40 – $200 per guest (food & alcohol)
$3,000 – $22,500 for 100 to 150 guests (food only)
$4,000 – $30,000 for 100 to 150 guests (food & open bar)
Wedding catering cost
Wedding catering costs $30 to $200 per person on average, depending on the food selection, whether it’s a plated meal or buffet, and if the package includes alcohol.
Wedding catering prices for 100 to 150 guests are $3,000 to $22,500 for food only or $4,000 to $30,000 for food and alcohol.
| Guests | Food cost | Food & alcohol cost |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | $900 – $4,500 | $1,200 – $6,000 |
| 50 | $1,500 – $7,500 | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| 75 | $2,300 – $11,250 | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| 100 | $3,000 – $15,000 | $4,000 – $20,000 |
| 150 | $4,500 – $22,500 | $6,000 – $30,000 |
| 200 | $6,000 – $30,000 | $8,000 – $40,000 |
| 250 | $7,500 – $37,500 | $10,000 – $50,000 |
| 300 | $9,000 – $45,000 | $12,000 – $45,000 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by Fash members.
Catering accounts for about 30% of the overall wedding budget.
Most couples add a gratuity or tip of 15% to 20% of the total catering cost.
Average cost of wedding catering per person
The average cost of wedding catering is $30 to $150 per person for food only or $40 to $200 per person including alcohol.
Casual food service styles like food trucks or cocktail-style catering are the least costly, while sit-down plated dinners are the most expensive.
| Catering style | Cost per person | Average cost (100 to 150 guests) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food truck | $15 – $40 | $1,500 – $5,300 | One or more food trucks or carts hired to serve food on site |
| Cocktail-style | $15 – $70 | $1,500 – $10,500 | Mix of heavy passed hors d’oeuvres trays with food stations |
| Buffet-style | $30 – $65 | $3,000 – $9,800 | Guests wait in a single line at a long buffet table to serve themselves. |
| Self-serve stations | $30 – $70 | $3,000 – $10,500 | Variety of food stations scattered around the space, where guests serve themselves throughout the evening |
| Family-style | $20 – $130 | $2,000 – $19,500 | Large platters of prepared foods placed on each table, where guests fill their own plate |
| Plated dinner | $40 – $150 | $4,000 – $22,500 | Pre-plated meal served to each guest at their seat |
Adding gluten-free or vegan meals to the menu or requesting local, organic, or non-GMO produce increases food costs by as much as 50%.
Seasonal foods are more budget-friendly since they are more abundant and often offered at a better price.
Wedding catering packages with prices
Wedding catering packages cost $50 to $270 per person on average which includes the food, cake, appetizers, open bar, and optionally top-shelf liquors, grazing table, and dessert statons.
Budget packages start at $30 per plate and have limited food options and no alcohol.
| Package | Average cost per head | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $30 – $80 | Buffet or food stations with cake and a cash bar |
| Standard | $50 – $150 | Buffet-style meal or self-serve food stations, limited appetizers, a beer and wine bar, and a slice of wedding cake |
| Luxury | $90 – $270 | Upgraded plated meal with appetizers, grazing table, wedding cake, added dessert stations, and a premium open bar with top-shelf liquors |
Wedding appetizers, food bar, & desserts cost
Wedding caterers charge $3 to $30 per person for catering add-ons, including a cocktail hour, appetizers, grazing tables, and wedding desserts.
| Add-on | Average cost per guest | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Appetizers/hors d’oeuvres | $10 – $30 | Trays passed during the cocktail hour to keep guests fed until the meal is served |
| Grazing table | $11 – $16 | A table spread with snacks including fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and crackers for late-night snacking |
| Wedding dessert station | $5 – $11 | A table spread with a variety of cupcakes, pastries, and bite-sized desserts |
| Wedding cake | $3 – $8 | A traditional tiered wedding cake, sliced and served by staff |
| Cake cutting fee | $1 – $8 | Extra fee to cover the cost of staff to cut and serve a cake brought in from another vendor |
| Chocolate fountain | $380 – $550 per fountain | A fountain of melted chocolate with fruits, cakes, and other dippers |
Many wedding couples hire a separate caterer that specializes in wedding cakes and desserts to suit the style and theme of the day. Some common options include:
A wedding cake costs $3 to $8 per slice or $300 to $800 for a 3-tier cake that serves 100 to 150 guests.
A wedding dessert station costs $5 to $11 per person for a variety of desserts providing 3 to 5 pieces per guest.
A chocolate fountain rental costs $380 to $550, or more to add a full-service package.
Alcohol wedding packages and prices
A wedding open bar costs $10 to $40 per person, depending on the alcohol served. A full bar with beer, wine, and well liquors costs $15 to $40 per person, and adding top shelf liquors increases costs.
A private bartender costs $30 to $50 per hour for a BYO alcohol event.
| Bar service | Cost per person | Average cost (100 to 150 guests) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium full bar | $20 – $50 | $2,000 – $7,500 | Top-shelf liquors, beer, wine, and cocktails |
| Full bar | $15 – $40 | $1,500 – $6,000 | Well liquors, beer, and wine |
| Soft bar | $13 – $30 | $1,300 – $4,500 | Beer, wine, and two signature cocktails |
| Limited bar | $10 – $20 | $1,000 – $3,000 | Beer and wine only |
| Single drink bar | $1 – $5 | $100 – $750 | Champagne toast only |
Other budget-friendly bar options include:
A consumption bar charges for each drink served, while a cash bar passes the drink costs on to the guests.
A buy-your-own alcohol event costs $5 to $20 per guest, saving the markup charged by many caterers. However, caterers charge a $2 to $12 corking fee for each bottle of wine and a $1 to $5 service fee for each six-pack of beer for BYO weddings.
Non-alcoholic drinks like coffee, tea, lemonade, and fruit juices are cheaper than alcohol and do not require a bartender.
Wedding catering price factors
The following factors affect wedding catering costs:
Dining style – Formal plated meals are more costly than buffet or family-style service. Main dish dinner upgrades to include steak and lobster increase costs.
Menu add-ons – Adding a cocktail hour or appetizers, late-night snacks, dessert tables, kid-friendly menu items, and other menu add-ons increases costs.
Alcohol and beverages – An open bar, corking fees, and glassware increase the catering package cost.
Guest count / minimum fees – Most packages include a minimum fee or number of guests to book.
Setup and breakdown – Most catering packages include 2 to 4 hours for setup and breakdown.
Rentals – Catering packages often include a standard table and place setting. Custom linens, chairs, and table settings are often available for an additional fee.
Servers / staff:
Servers and waitstaff cost $20 to $30 per hour, with 1 server for every 8 to 12 guests for a plated or family-style dining or 1 server for every 25 guests for a buffet or self-serve stations.
Wedding bartenders cost $30 to $50 per hour, with 1 bartender for every 50 to 75 guests.
Barback assistants cost $20 to $30 per hour to help the bartender with ice, water, glassware, and restocking bottles and kegs.
Timing and location:
Caterers set higher rates for evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak season dates.
Caterers in metropolitan areas charge up to 30% higher to cover higher staff wages.
Caterers may charge a per-mile travel fee for services outside their area.
All-inclusive venue packages – Wedding venues cost $2,000 to $25,000 for an inclusive wedding package including the site, catering, seating, and décor.
Package extras – Some venues combine other services with catering to create a custom package:
A wedding DJ costs $800 to $1,600, while a wedding band costs $2,000 to $8,000.
Wedding flowers cost $500 to $3,500.
A wedding photographer costs $1,600 to $3,600
A wedding videographer costs $1,400 to $3,600.
A wedding reception photo booth rental costs $400 to $1,000.
Wedding coordinator – A day-of wedding coordinator costs $700 to $2,200 for couples without a wedding planner. A wedding planner costs $1,200 to $3,500.
Additional fees:
Local sales taxes are added to the total catering bill.
A service fee of 18% to 22% covers the catering company’s operating costs.
A gratuity of 15% to 20% for good service is typical.
Wedding catering FAQs
How to save on wedding reception food
Save money on reception food by reducing the wedding size and being flexible with the date and time. Other ways to save on wedding catering include:
Book an all-inclusive package.
Serve only appetizers instead of a full meal.
Select budget-friendly cuisine like barbecue, sandwiches, or pasta.
Have a daytime wedding serving breakfast, brunch, or lunch.
Limit the alcohol or have a cash bar.
Limit substitutions and add-ons that increase costs.
Choose a drop-off food service and set up the food stations yourself.
Get an accurate guest count.
Try negotiating the cost with the caterer.
Do you tip a wedding caterer?
A tip of 15% to 20% of the wedding catering bill is standard. The gratuity rewards good service and does not replace any separate delivery or service fees the caterer charges. Before tipping the catering staff, check your contract to confirm the gratuity was not already included.
When to book a caterer for a wedding
Book the caterer at least 6 to 12 months in advance of your wedding date, or even farther in advance when booking popular caterers during peak wedding season from May through October.
What do wedding caterers provide?
Wedding caterers provide all the food, beverages, food warmers, and serving utensils for the buffet or serving stations. Catering services often include the plates, glasses, and silverware in their price. Some offer a selection of rental tables, chairs, custom linens, and place settings.
How to find and hire a wedding caterer
When hiring a wedding caterer near you, be sure to:
Ask for referrals from your wedding planner, the venue manager, or recently wedded couples.
Search online for a professional caterer with experience catering weddings.
Read their reviews on Fash and Google.
Select a minimum of 2 to 3 caterers and make tasting appointments with each.
Select the most skilled professional that works within your budget.
Review all contract terms before signing and make the final payment after the event.
Questions to ask when getting quotes
Have you catered at our venue before?
Can I schedule a menu tasting?
What bar and buffet setup and equipment is included in your quote?
Does your estimate include glassware, plates, silverware, and linens?
Is a standard gratuity included in the final bill? If not, how should I tip the staff?
Is the menu flexible, or do you only offer pre-selected options?
Do you offer options for kids, vendors, or guests with special dietary needs?
Do you cater both buffet-style and formal plated dinners?
Do you allow changes to the guest count once it is confirmed?
Do you set up the guest and buffet tables for the event?
How much time do you include for setup and cleanup?
Does the staff wear uniforms?
What alcohol is included in your price estimate?
Can I buy my own alcohol? If so, will it reduce your quoted price?
Do you carry liquor liability insurance coverage? Do I need to purchase a separate host policy?