How much does wedding catering cost?

Food and drink are a major part of the wedding experience (no one wants hangry guests!), so it’s no surprise that you’ll spend a big amount of your total budget on your wedding catering. The average wedding catering cost in the U.S. is about $4,000 with most couples spending between $1,800 to $7,000. Note that wedding catering prices do vary widely depending on your wedding’s location and many other factors, like guest count—but no matter where you’re getting married, delicious and plentiful food is essential to an amazing wedding reception experience.

What is included in a wedding catering package?

Your wedding catering may be provided by your wedding venue, or you may want or need to hire an outside caterer. Reading a wedding catering contract can be a bit confusing, but in general, your wedding catering cost will be priced on a “per person” basis. A standard wedding catering package includes the following: Food: The wedding food cost is the most obvious part of a wedding catering package. You’re paying for the actual food that your guests will eat during cocktail hour and the main meal. Whether it’s served plated or buffet style is up to you and your caterer. Beverages: Your caterer will likely provide beverages, both alcoholic and not, for your big day. Staffing: From your event manager to cooks, servers, bartenders, and more, there are lots of staffers that will go into making your wedding day a success. It’s important to work with your caterer to make sure that you have enough people on hand to ensure a smooth reception. Rentals: Your caterer may also provide rentals, from tables to chairs, dishes to glassware, utensils, and more. Some venues provide these rentals, or you may need to hire a separate rentals company . Additional fees: Caterers may charge additional costs and fees, including cake cutting fees, corkage fees, and more. Be sure to read your contract carefully—and ask questions—to make sure you understand your wedding catering cost.

What are the different ways to serve wedding reception food?

When determining your wedding food cost, a big factor will be how you’re planning on serving the meal. There are a few serving style options for weddings: Plated: Otherwise known as a sit-down meal, your guests will be served their meal at their table by a member of the wait staff. There may be a single entrée option served or several entrée options, which your guests can either order in advance (usually on their RSVP card) or at the event. This is the most formal and traditional of wedding serving styles. Buffet: For a more casual serving style, guests serve themselves from a buffet station. Fifty percent of couples choose a buffet-style reception. Family-Style: Servers provide large platters of food to reception tables, and guests pass the trays around and serve themselves. Cocktail-Style: A more modern service style, food is served via passed hors d’oeuvres and at stations. This allows guests to walk around, and mix and mingle during the reception instead of sitting at their tables.

What is the average wedding catering cost per person?

The average wedding catering cost per person varies depending on your wedding’s service style. For a plated meal, the average cost of wedding catering in the U.S. is $40 per person. For a buffet, the average is $27 per person.

Is a wedding reception buffet always the cheaper option?

Most of the time, a wedding reception buffet is indeed less expensive than a plated dinner. While you’ll pay less in staffing and rentals for a buffet-style meal, you’ll need more food since guests are serving themselves. To keep your buffet budget-friendly, avoid serving costly foods (shrimp, for example) buffet-style or have a staffer on hand to serve your guests from the buffet to keep the portions under control.

What is the average cost of alcohol for a wedding?

Alcohol can comprise a major part of your total wedding catering cost. In general, the average starting price in the U.S. for bar service at a wedding is $15 per person.

Wedding Caterers in Gwynn Oak, MD - Reviews for Caterers

Zeffert and Gold Catering and Event Planning

450 reviews

· Wedding Caterers · Gwynn Oak, MD

A full-service wedding caterer in Baltimore, Maryland, Zeffert and Gold Catering and Event Planning is the ideal choice for couples wishing for stylish and delicious cuisine at a reasonable price. An integral part of the wedding industry for over 25 years, the company prides itself on creating menus... (Wedding Caterers Gwynn Oak)

Royal Blue Catering

2 reviews

· Wedding Caterers · Gwynn Oak, MD

We provide catering and personal chef services for small events, receptions, dinner parties, birthday parties, a romantic dinner for two and much more! With years of experience and a passion for the art of culinary, we promise to meet and exceed your expectations when it comes to your event. That... (Wedding Caterers Gwynn Oak)

Copper Kitchen

123 reviews

· Wedding Caterers | 5.0 miles from Gwynn Oak, MD

Copper Kitchen is a full-service catering business based in Baltimore, Maryland. They provide catering for unforgettable events by using locally sourced ingredients to create custom, delicious menus for their clients. Since 2011, owners Jen DeVos and Chef Kevin Miller have been committed to... (Wedding Caterers Baltimore)

The Classic Catering People

174 reviews

· Wedding Caterers | 7.0 miles from Gwynn Oak, MD

A professional wedding caterer in Baltimore, Maryland, The Classic Catering People operates under the belief that each couple’s highest expectation is their starting point. Dedicated to delivering couples and their guests a unique experience, the company provides equal parts culinary expertise,... (Wedding Caterers Owings Mills)

Innovative Gourmet

40 reviews

· Wedding Caterers | 7.2 miles from Gwynn Oak, MD

Innovative Gourmet is a wedding caterer based in Owings Mills, Maryland. In addition to providing delicious food and beverages, they also provide event planning, production and custom menu creation for couples in the Baltimore/Washington area. Services Offered Innovative Gourmet is a full-service... (Wedding Caterers Owings Mills)

Catering by Alan Weiss

40 reviews

· Wedding Caterers | 7.2 miles from Gwynn Oak, MD

Catering by Alan Weiss is a KOSHER CATERING COMPANY based in Owings Mills, Maryland, SERVING THE BALTIMORE- WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA They love providing exceptional service to their clients on top of impeccable and delectable cuisine. They are an upscale, gourmet kosher catering business, full... (Wedding Caterers Owings Mills)

Atlantic Caterers, Inc.

317 reviews

· Wedding Caterers | 7.7 miles from Gwynn Oak, MD

Atlantic Caterers, Inc. is a professional wedding and event catering company based in Baltimore, Maryland. This family owned and operating catering company specializes in creating custom dining experience for each individual event. Atlantic Caterers, Inc. has been in business and serving events... (Wedding Caterers Baltimore)

Eleven Courses Catering

115 reviews

· Wedding Caterers | 8.4 miles from Gwynn Oak, MD

Eleven Courses Catering is a catering service located in Owings Mills, Maryland. They offer delectable and specialty cuisines prepared with a private chef approach. With attentive and kind staff, clients and guests will feel like stars among the red carpet with their unmatched service. With this... (Wedding Caterers Owings Mills)

Phresh Catering

1 review

· Wedding Caterers | 8.9 miles from Gwynn Oak, MD

Phresh Catering tantalizes the taste buds of wedding guests in Hanover, Maryland. For over 15 years, the team has been bringing a mix of fine dining and friendly service to parties around the Washington Metropolitan Area. Owner Douglas Bolton focuses on using only locally sourced, organic... (Wedding Caterers Hanover)

Baltimore's Best Events

92 reviews

· Banquet Halls | 9.3 miles from Gwynn Oak, MD

Baltimore’s Best Events is a wedding venue located in Towson, Maryland. Couples can host their wedding at the Baltimore’s Best Confetti’s Event Center and enjoy the unique spaces and planning and catering services the team provides.Facilities and Capacity Baltimore’s Best Events allows couples to... (Banquet Halls Towson)

Absolutely Perfect Catering

258 reviews

· Wedding Caterers | 10.3 miles from Gwynn Oak, MD

Absolutely Perfect Catering is a wedding catering company based in Elkridge, Maryland, that services weddings throughout the surrounding Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas. The company has been providing catering to weddings and events in the area for over 20 years. The team of planning,... (Wedding Caterers Elkridge)

Rouge Fine Catering

309 reviews

· Wedding Caterers | 11.9 miles from Gwynn Oak, MD

A full-service wedding caterer in Hunt Valley, Maryland, Rouge Fine Catering is committed to creating a custom-built menu that combines the flair and style of your big day. Working with each couple from start to finish, the company guarantees every detail of your event is extraordinary. Delivering... (Wedding Caterers Hunt Valley)

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