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 Rockville, MD - Reviews for Caterers

Relish Catering

9 reviews

· Wedding Caterers · Rockville, MD

Relish Catering is a boutique caterer for weddings in Rockville, Maryland. This passionate and highly-trained team create mouthwatering menus that will keep guests coming back for more. Whether you’re planning an intimate affair or large wedding celebration, Relish Catering will make your wedding... (Wedding Caterers Rockville)

Quite a Stir in Catering

5 reviews

· Wedding Caterers · Rockville, MD

Established in 1981 as a gourmet take out shop originally known as Take Me Home Catering; Quite a Stir in Catering grew into a well renowned catering company as people asked for more services. Quite a Stir is a full service, off-premise catering company offering exceptional event services and... (Wedding Caterers Rockville)

ELEGANCIA CATERS

9 reviews

· Wedding Caterers · Rockville, MD

Established in 1999, Elegancia has a longstanding commitment to quality that is reflected in our fine food, the work ethic of our staff, prompt and responsive detailed service, distinctive equipment, and ultimately our dedication to our client Home Style Catering understands our clients’ expectation... (Wedding Caterers Rockville)

TF Caterers

11 reviews

· Wedding Caterers · Rockville, MD

TF Caterers is a catering company located in Rockville, Maryland that specializes in equatorial cuisine. This company’s combined 60 years of experience in the food service industry allows them to provide an exquisite menu at a competitive price. Cuisine TF Caterers creates a fusion of African,... (Wedding Caterers Rockville)

Potomac 18 Caterers- Certified Kosher Caterer

13 reviews

· Wedding Caterers · Rockville, MD

A FRESH NEW LOOK An all-star team of catering professionals has come together to form Potomac 18 Caterers (formerly Dahan Caterers). At Potomac 18, we pride ourselves on carefully planned menus, thoughtful attention to detail and an inspirational flare for creating unique events. Whether your event... (Wedding Caterers Rockville)

Citrine Catering

Wedding Caterers · Rockville, MD

Founder and Chef, Jodi Hillman, went to the Culinary Institute of America in NY and has worked with Roland Passot at La Folie in San Francisco. I had my business in San Francisco for many years but have moved to Bethesda, MD. I like using fresh seasonal produce and artisan products. I do catering,... (Wedding Caterers Rockville)

42° Catering

9 reviews

· Wedding Caterers · Rockville, MD

Delivering unparalleled, innovative cuisine, 42? Catering is Washington DC’s hottest new catering company. 42? specializes in working individually with clients to develop unique menus for each occasion and staffing them with the city’s most eloquent staff. Inspired by international ingredients,... (Wedding Caterers Rockville)

Tomato Flyer Pizza Co.

4 reviews

· Wedding Caterers · Rockville, MD

Make your wedding event memorable with Tomato Flyer Pizza Co. providing an artisan party at your venue from the back of one of our antique trucks. Our restored 1947 International Harvester trucks serve as the mobile Italian kitchen, complete with wood-fired brick ovens, beer taps, cicchetti,... (Wedding Caterers Rockville)

Quench of Rockville

1 review

· Wedding Caterers · Rockville, MD

Inspired by some of the nation’s most loved bars including Cantina (San Francisco), Holeman & Finch (Atlanta), the Edison (L.A.) and the Clover Club (Brooklyn), the flagship location of Quench opened in Rockville, MD in May, 2012. Quench™ is a neighborhood bar, updated and made for people whose... (Wedding Caterers Rockville)

Brian Beal Moore Catering

Wedding Caterers · Rockville, MD

Brian Beal Moore Catering is a full service, off-site company. We are not a factory of mass production. We carefully craft all of our menu items by hand, with the highest quality of ingredients, paying close attention to seasonality, sustainability, and sourcing. Nor are we satisfied with the mere... (Wedding Caterers Rockville)

Festive Foods Catering, Inc.

45 reviews

· Wedding Caterers · Rockville, MD

Since 1987, the amazing Special Events Team has been creating unique, individualized celebrations for the DC area's most discriminating residents. We have handled every type imaginable ~ Spectacular Soirees in Museums, Happy Celebrations in Historic Homes, Stunning Nuptials at The Supreme Court,... (Wedding Caterers Rockville)

Roti Modern Mediterranean

Wedding Caterers · Rockville, MD

We created Roti for a reason: To share our love of the Mediterranean’s delicious flavors, wholesome ingredients, and bright spices. Our delicious, flavorful food is always prepared from wholesome, high quality ingredients like organic chickpeas, 100% grass-fed beef, fresh sustainably raised salmon,... (Wedding Caterers Rockville)

MEDINA CUISINE

5 reviews

· Wedding Caterers · Rockville, MD

Medina Cuisine is a gourmet kosher catering company serving Washington, DC, Maryland (MD) and Northern Virginia (VA). No matter what type of event you are planning, be it a wedding for 500 guests, a corporate lunch meeting for 50 people or your baby naming ceremony, we aim to provide catering... (Wedding Caterers Rockville)

1

Caribbean Caterers

40 reviews

· Wedding Caterers · Rockville, MD

A full-service wedding caterer in North Bethesda, Maryland, Caribbean Caterers specializes in stylish, well-produced affairs. By utilizing the finest and freshest ingredients, the company provides flavorful, quality food. Backed by years of experience, Caribbean Caterers is the perfect choice for... (Wedding Caterers Rockville)

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