{"id":67456,"date":"2020-02-06T01:17:37","date_gmt":"2020-02-06T01:17:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/withjoy.com\/blog\/?p=67456"},"modified":"2024-04-08T09:46:22","modified_gmt":"2024-04-08T16:46:22","slug":"how-much-does-wedding-catering-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/withjoy.com\/blog\/how-much-does-wedding-catering-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Does Wedding Catering Cost?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“The average cost of catering for a wedding with a guest list of 100 usually ranges between $8,500 – $10,000.<\/strong>“<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the most important factors in your overall wedding budget<\/a> is the cost of the food. Not only is catering a big piece of your wedding budget (if not the biggest), it\u2019s also one of the most enjoyed parts of the reception for your guests. So, how much exactly does wedding food cost in this day and age? And, most importantly, how do you stay on budget?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s go over all of the ins and outs of wedding catering. This includes your options for serving the meal and everything you need to know about factoring in the costs of alcohol, dessert, and even what linens and table items you\u2019re going to need at the wedding reception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Average Cost of Wedding Catering<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"average<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before diving into the specifics of your wedding catering budget, you might want to know about overall catering costs. First off, how much you spend on your wedding catering completely depends on the number of guests you have, the type of meal you\u2019re serving, and the location of your wedding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the average cost of catering for a wedding with a guest list of 100 usually ranges between $8,500 – $10,000, according to Jessica McTaggart of Pink Champagne Events<\/a> in Denver, Colorado. Although, if you\u2019re looking for something like you might see in certain popular wedding magazines, you can expect to pay closer to the $20,000 mark, notes Meggie Francisco of Meggie Francisco Events<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing a Wedding Caterer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Selecting a wedding caterer is one of the most exciting (and delicious) parts of wedding planning<\/a>, and the professional you choose can potentially make a big difference in how much you spend for the big day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re trying to determine who to hire for the job, make an appointment with the top two or three caterers you\u2019ve found in your research. Then, set up a time to discuss the type of wedding food you want, how you\u2019d like it served, and (best of all) do a taste test of the food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the meeting, try to get a sense of the type of wedding food they specialize in (and whether it aligns with the kind of food you want) and understand their price ranges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, a caterer will make up their budgets on a \u201cper head\u201d basis, or what it will cost you to feed each guest at your wedding. According to Sarah Carroll of Small Shindigs<\/a>, the average cost for wedding catering per head ranges from $50-$150, depending on the factors below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost Factors for Wedding Catering<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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You know that the food for your wedding can be expensive, but what exactly determines the cost? Here are five components to account for when budgeting for your wedding catering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Your Guest List<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a lot of factors that go into the price of wedding catering, but the biggest variable is your guest list<\/a>. Simply put, the bigger your guest list, the bigger your catering budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although there are ways to cut costs if you have a large guest list (serving brunch instead of dinner or serving appetizers in a buffet-style instead of a plated dinner with several courses), it\u2019s ultimately going to be more expensive than if you cut down the guest list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Your Wedding Venue<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another cost factor for wedding catering can be your particular wedding venue<\/a>. Some wedding venues either have restrictions on hiring an outside caterer or have preferred vendors that they will only choose to work with. This could, of course, be more expensive than another caterer you were wanting to hire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you sign a contract with your wedding venue, be sure to look it over closely for any restrictions on hiring outside vendors and if they charge any extra fees if you don\u2019t work with an in-house caterer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. The Food Service Options You Choose<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the number of people you invite to your wedding and any restrictions your wedding venue imposes on events, the food service options<\/a> you choose have a big effect on the overall cost of your wedding catering.

Here\u2019s a list of food service options, what they mean, and the average costs for each of them, according to Carroll:<\/p>\n\n\n\n