Wedding Catering Prices: A Caterers Guide to Costs
About The Author: Reeka Events is a luxury catering company specialising in bespoke weddings in the Cotswolds. With over 15 years of industry experience, Reeka is an expert in ensuring your wedding day runs as planned and tastes incredible.
You want a wedding meal that everyone talks about —the kind of luxurious and unforgettable feast that puts your big day firmly in the ‘wedding of the century’ category. The only snag? You’re stumped about your wedding catering budget.
So, how much does wedding catering cost? This is one of those how-long-is-a-piece-of-string questions because wedding catering costs depend on lots of things (More on that later).
But don’t worry we’ll help you suss out a ballpark figure so you can create an accurate budget for your big day and tick another wedding planning item off the list.
Understanding the Costs of Luxury Wedding Catering
When it comes to wedding catering, you generally have two options: opt for the in-house food and drink options at your venue, or hire an outside caterer.
If you want to create a luxurious and unique taste experience – one your guests won’t ever forget – then you’ll probably want to go with the latter.
Most outside caterers will offer you a bespoke quote based on your unique wedding catering needs, so it can be tricky to suss out a budget before you start making enquiries.
Need a ballpark? According to the Hitched National Wedding Survey, couples spent an average of £70 per head on their wedding catering costs in 2022.
Meanwhile, Bridebook’s UK Wedding Report 2023, found that on average, couples spend around 25% of their wedding budget on catering.
But of course, how much you spend will depend on how important food is to you as a couple. Not to mention a few other things like…
Factors That Influence Catering Costs
The number of guests
The bigger the guest count, the bigger the budget, as most catering packages will be priced per head. Don’t forget to factor in how many kids are attending too as some wedding caterers will offer cheaper options for the little ones.
Logistics
You want the best of the best for your wedding day, and sometimes that means looking further afield to find your wedding caterer. If your ideal caterer has to travel some distance to get to your venue, you can expect to pay a little extra for transportation.
Venue and Timing Impacts on Catering
Where and when you choose to have your wedding can impact the cost per head of your catering too.
Most, though not all, wedding caterers will have higher prices during peak season, so you can expect to pay a little more if your big day is in spring, summer, or on a weekend.
As for the venue? It’s a good idea to check what they do and don’t supply for you.
Does your venue have a kitchen where your caterer can prep the food, fridges for chilling canapés, or a bar for serving drinks? If not, your caterer may charge an additional fee for their hire.
Don’t forget about catering staff, tableware, crockery, and glassware too! You’ll need to factor these into your food budget if they aren’t provided by your venue.
Additional Cost Factors in Luxury Catering
Reeka Head Chef Jay Halford
Those nice-to-have extras
If you consider yourselves total foodies, then understandably you’ll want to stretch the budget a little further, perhaps for tasty extras like grazing platters and signature cocktails.
Typically, your wedding breakfast meal will take the biggest chunk of your catering budget, but don’t forget to factor in the other times when you and your guests will want really good food.
Are you putting on a spread for your bridal party when you’re getting ready in the morning? Want to put on an evening buffet to give your guests a dancefloor refuel? Or serve afternoon canapes that have everyone ‘‘mmming’ and ‘ahhing’ in appreciation?
Most luxury wedding caterers will zoom in on what you want and offer you a bespoke quote based on your unique preferences.
The caterer’s experience and reputation
What’s the one thing everyone remembers about a wedding, besides the couple themselves? The food of course!
Wedding catering is one of the most vital aspects of your big day, and the old adage that you get what you pay for rings true. So if you want luxury you can expect to pay a little more for it.
Chances are you want a wedding caterer who has earned their stripes in the industry; someone who is esteemed, reliable, and has a reputation for serving really good food. (somebody like Reeka Events…)
The price you pay will reflect that.
So, what have you learned about wedding catering prices?
Wedding catering costs are usually calculated per head
According to recent surveys, the average couple spends around £70 per head on wedding catering, or 25% of their total budget
The number of guests attending your big day is one of the biggest factors influencing your catering budget
Don’t forget about travel! You might need to cover your caterer’s travel if they’re coming from further afield.
Where you choose to have your wedding can affect your wedding costs so check what your venue does and – crucially – does not supply
Peak season can equal peak prices
It’s not just your wedding breakfast that’s included in a quote. Factor in those nice-to-have extras, like grazing platters, cocktails, and getting-ready nibbles.
You want the best of the best for your big day, so don’t forget that a caterer’s prices are usually a reflection of their experience and reputation.
We know crunching the numbers can be intimidating – especially when food is such an important part of your special day – but we promise that creating an exquisite taste experience that is within budget is totally doable.
Ready to bring your wedding caterer vision to life? Here at Reeka Events, we’re experts at creating wedding feasts that are truly unforgettable.
Request a bespoke quote with us today and find out why we are the best luxury caterer in the Cotswolds.
