Average catering cost for weddings per person, types of wedding catering. Plan your wedding catering costs with our guide.
A big part of what you spend on your wedding is catering. Food and drinks are an essential part of every wedding experience. The average catering cost in America varies from $1,800 to $7,000 but most couples spend around $4,000. So you should consider this expense when planning for that special day.
What is wedding catering?
Your wedding venue or an outside caterer will provide catering services for you. The prices are generally on a “per person” basis, so what do you get when you pay for catering?
- Food. Everything your guests will be eating during the whole wedding. No matter what wedding style you are having.
- Beverages. Everything your guests will be drinking: alcoholic, non-alcoholic, water.
- Service: all the servers, cooks, bartenders, everyone who will be helping with the food and drinks during the wedding. You should have enough people to serve all your guests.
- Rentals. You may be asked to pay for all the furniture, dishes, glassware, utensils, tablecloths and more. You might even need to use a different rental company for that.
- Any additional fees: anything your catering services might charge for. Read the contract carefully to avoid surprises.
How can the wedding reception food be served?
The different serving methods will cost you differently. So how can be the food served?
- A sit-down meal, when your guests sit at the table and servers bring their meals. There can be a couple of food options your guests can choose from on their RSVP cards. It’s the most formal and expensive way ($40 per person)
- Buffet is chosen by almost half of the couples. You have a range of food and your guests help themselves to whatever they want. The least expensive option ($27 per person)
- Family-style. Servers bring big dishes of different foods to the tables and the guests pass them around.
- Cocktail-style. Guests walk around and talk to each other, while waiters carry around different food items and offer them to guests.
How should I handle wedding bar expenses?
The wedding bar would cost around $15 per person, so it can take a major part of your catering budget. Depending on your guests preferences there are different ways to handle the bar.
- Full open bar. Guests can order whatever they want and it is all covered by the host.
- Limited open bar. You pay for a couple of alcohol options. If your guests want something else they will have to pay themselves.
- Cash bar. Guests pay for their own alcohol expenses.
- You can also choose to pay per drink or a flat fee. If your guests aren’t big drinkers than a per drink fee will be totally all right.
How can you save money on wedding food and drinks?
Be smart about what, when and how you serve because this can help you save some money.
- Limit the alcohol.
- Pass around more expensive items and serve less expensive as stationary platters.
- Order in advance. Maybe ask your guests to mark their food preferences on the RSVP cards.
- Skip the champagne toast.
- Know how many wedding guests you will have.
- Think of hiring a good caterer and hold an interview with him beforehand.