How much does wedding catering cost per person?
Wedding catering typically runs $70-$130 per person for food and service, and the bar adds another $15-$45 per person. Service style is the biggest factor, a buffet costs far less per head than a plated dinner.
Catering cost per person by service style
| Service style | Per person (food) |
|---|---|
| Food trucks / casual stations | $20-$40 |
| Buffet | $30-$60 |
| Family-style | $40-$70 |
| Plated, served dinner | $70-$130 |
| Premium / luxury plated | $150+ |
Add a bar package at roughly $15-$45 per person. Staffing, rentals, an 18-22% service charge, and tax are often quoted separately. Catering and bar are usually about 22% of a wedding budget.
What's usually not in the per-plate price
The headline per-person number rarely tells the whole story. Watch for these add-ons when you compare quotes:
- Bar & beverages: usually a separate package ($15-$45/person).
- Staffing: servers, bartenders, and a captain.
- Rentals: tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware, flatware.
- Service charge & gratuity: commonly 18-22% of the food total.
- Sales tax, cake-cutting fees, and delivery.
What it adds up to
For a 100-guest wedding at about $100 per person for food and bar, catering totals roughly $10,000. See a full budget for 100 guests or use the budget calculator to plug in your own per-head number and headcount.
How to lower catering cost
- Choose a buffet or family-style over a plated dinner.
- Limit the bar to beer, wine, and a signature cocktail.
- Serve fewer courses, or host a brunch or lunch reception.
- Trim the guest list: every 10 guests removed saves about $1,000-$1,300.
Questions, answered
How much is wedding catering per person?
About $70-$130 per person for food and service at a typical plated or buffet dinner, plus $15-$45 per person for the bar. Casual options like food trucks can be as low as $20-$40 per head.
What's the average total catering cost for a wedding?
For 100 guests, food and bar together usually run $9,000-$13,000. The exact figure depends on service style, bar package, and your region.
Is a buffet cheaper than a plated dinner?
Usually yes on the food itself, though extra staffing and rentals can narrow the gap. Family-style sits between a buffet and a plated dinner on cost.
Does catering pricing include the bar, tax, and gratuity?
Often not. Many caterers quote food only, then add a bar package, an 18-22% service charge, rentals, and sales tax, so always ask what a per-person quote includes.