Wedding Catering Cost

By Daniel Martinez · May 31, 2026

Catering is typically 25-35% of your total wedding budget. For 100 guests at $100/head, that's $10,000. Here are 10 proven strategies to cut that number significantly.

1. Choose a Venue with an In-House Kitchen

Venues that require outside catering force you to pay for kitchen rentals ($500-$2,000), power, and additional staff. An in-house kitchen venue eliminates these fees.

2. Go Buffet or Family-Style Instead of Plated

Plated dinners require more staff (1 server per 8-10 guests). Buffets need 1 per 25-30 guests. That staffing difference alone saves $1,000-$3,000 for 100 guests.

3. Skip the Cocktail Hour Hors d'Oeuvres

Heavy appetizers during cocktail hour add $15-$30 per person. Instead, serve light passed items (2-3 types) or set up a grazing table for $5-$10 per person.

4. Limit the Bar

An open bar costs $40-$80 per person. Alternatives:

Beer and wine only: $15-$25 per person
Signature cocktails (2 options) + beer and wine: $20-$35 per person
Consumption bar (pay for what's actually drunk): often 20-30% cheaper than per-person

5. Choose a Brunch or Lunch Wedding

Brunch catering runs $25-$50 per person vs. $75-$200 for dinner.

6. Use a Food Truck

Food trucks charge $10-$25 per person for quality food. Two trucks give variety. Total for 100 guests: $1,000-$2,500 vs. $8,000-$15,000 for traditional catering.