How Much Does Wedding Catering Cost?

Some of you may want a casual brunch for the wedding. While some may choose fancy dinner. No matter what you choose remember that wedding catering can be expensive. So, know the average cost of catering before you start looking. Your guests will remember the food as much as the special moments. You must understand what’s included in catering packages. You must also know what affects the price of the catering services.

What is “The Wedding Catering Costs”?

For any wedding, food and drinks are essential. You don’t want your guests to remain hungry. For this, you need to spend a bit more on the catering. Why hire a caterer?

It is because a caterer is an expert in preparing a lot of yummy and healthy food for the event. Yes, hiring a caterer is an expensive affair, but it is worth it.  If we talk about the cost of wedding catering, it may vary.

• Wedding catering cost depends on the venue.
• It also depends on the kind of the event. For example: if you are organizing a grand celebration and want to include many dishes, you have to pay more.
• It also depends on the number of invitees.

Components of a Wedding Catering Service

When planning your wedding, you might get catering through your venue. Or you may have to hire a separate caterer. Catering costs are calculated per person. Normally the catering package consists of:

1. Food: This is the cocktail hour and the main meal. This can be a plated style or a buffet.

2. Beverages: The choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for your guests.

3. Staff: This will include Cooks, Server, Bartenders, Event manager, and more. Discuss with your caterer about having enough staff members.

4. Rentals: Some caterers provide rentals like tables, chairs, dishes, glassware, utensils, and more. If not, you might need to arrange these through your venue. You can also get it from a separate rental company.

5. Additional Fees: Check the extra charges such as cake-cutting fees or corkage fees. Review your contract. Ask questions to understand all costs.

Factors Affecting Wedding Catering Costs

1. Wedding Catering Costs Based on Location

Catering for destination weddings can cost more than for local weddings. You may pay more per person for a destination wedding than for one in your hometown.

2. Accommodating Special Diets

Many couples are making their wedding menus more inclusive. This means offering options for guests with dietary restrictions. They have gluten-free or vegan dishes. This trend is growing and adds to the overall catering cost.

3. Popular Desserts

Desserts are a must at weddings. Many couples offer different sweets along with the wedding cake. You may want a dessert table or bar with goodies.

4. Fun Food Stations

You can have interactive food options. You can have a taco bar or food truck. These can make your wedding more exciting. But it can also impact the catering cost.

5. Using Local Ingredients

Some couples use locally sourced items. They will opt for regional beers or produce. This supports local businesses. It also makes your wedding eco-friendly.

6. Cultural or Regional Foods

For wedding catering, some couples want dishes that reflect their culture. They may want chicken tikka or cheesesteaks or some other delicacy. Adding these to your menu can also affect the catering cost.

7. Late-Night Snacks

Providing snacks at the end of the event is a popular trend. You can have options like mini burgers, chicken sandwiches, and waffles. This can surprise and delight your guests. But they also add to the costs.

Ways to Serve Food at Your Wedding

You can serve food at any event in many ways. Only an expert can do it perfectly. For this expert service, you have to pay more. In brief, preparing and serving food can affect the cost of wedding catering. Let's discuss the ways of serving food in detail:

1. Plated Service: Guests receive their meals directly at their tables from the wait staff. This style can be either a single dish or multiple choices. It is the most formal and traditional service. But it is also one of the more expensive options. This is due to the need for additional staff and preparation.

2. Buffet: Guests serve themselves from a buffet setup. This style is more casual. It can be less costly. This is because it requires fewer staff. It needs less preparation compared to plated service.

3. Family-style: Large dishes of food are placed on each table. Guests serve themselves. This option can be more affordable than plated service. But it may still require more staff.

4. Cocktail-Style: Food is served as small appetizers or at stations. This allows guests to move around and socialize. This modern style can be less expensive. This is because it often requires less food preparation and fewer staff compared to a full meal service.

Wedding Bar Options and Their Costs

Choosing how to serve drinks at your wedding can impact your budget. Here are some common options:

1. Full Open Bar: This offers a selection of Wines, Beers, Hard liquor, Non-alcoholic drinks, etc. The hosts cover the entire cost. The guests don’t pay anything. This is the most expensive choice but provides the more variety.

2. Limited Open Bar: With this option, you offer:

• Wine, and Beer
• Maybe one type of hard liquor
• Non-alcoholic drinks

It costs less than a full open bar. This is because there’s less variety in the hard liquor. This is a good choice if you want to save money.

3. Cash Bar: Guests pay for their own drinks. This option is cheaper for you. But it may not be as well-received by guests who prefer not to pay for their drinks.

4. Payment Options: You can pay for either per drink or with a flat fee.

Conclusion

Wedding catering costs depend on the package you pick. You must have clarity on what you want. The focus also has to be on good food and budget. For expert wedding and event catering and craft services, connect with Peepal UK. For a memorable culinary experience hire our services now. You can contact us for any further queries.