Wedding Caterers in Santa Barbara

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All Purpose Flower

5.0 (12)
· Santa Ynez, CA

All Purpose Flower is a full service catering and one-stop events company. Dedicated to creating unique, innovative...Read more dishes with only the best-quality, sustainably-sourced ingredients, their cuisine reflects the diverse, vibrant culture of the local area. They also pride themselves on providing the...

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$65 starting price

1 deal -5% Discount

Responds within 24 hours
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Oak Pit Catering

5.0 (6)
· Arroyo Grande, CA

Oak Pit Catering is a wedding catering service based in Arroyo Grande, California. Here at Oak Pit Catering, we want to...Read more focus on your unforgettable wedding; our mission is to celebrate the tradition of Santa María style BBQ by crafting mouthwatering dishes that bring people together on your special...

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$55 starting price
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Craft Catering Company

5.0 (1)
· Santa Barbara, CA

Craft Wood Fired Catering is a wedding food service based in Santa Barbara, California. This company provides fresh,...Read more vibrant, home-cooked meals for special events. You can look forward to sharing a gorgeous spread with your loved ones on your special day, tailored entirely to your tastes. Cuisine...

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Catering Connection

5.0 (102)
· Santa Barbara, CA

A boutique wedding caterer in Santa Barbara, California, Catering Connection is a premier food creation service with...Read more over 20 years of experience, cherishing the ability to be such an integral part of a couple's wedding day. Having thrived as a wedding caterer for over two decades, this company...

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DJ's California Catering

5.0 (150)
· Ventura, CA

An exceptional caterer in Ventura, California, DJ’s California Catering has a reputation for excellence in food and...Read more service. This catering company works closely with the engaged couple to satisfy their needs and preferences. Services Offered Aside from the high-end and classy food you will be sure...

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1 deal

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Command Performance Catering

4.8 (171)
· Moorpark, CA

A skilled wedding caterer in Moorpark, California, Command Performance Catering is essential for all couples who want...Read more their weddings to be fun, classy and perfectly executed. This catering company provides unique, exquisite meals and the staff love to discuss options and customizations with the...

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Total Wine & More

4.7 (166)
· Santa Barbara, CA

Total Wine & More is an independent alcohol retailer with stores based all over the country. Their employees are...Read more committed to their customers and to providing quality products at prices that suit any budget. Total Wine & More is pleased to offer a wide range of alcoholic delights for a couple's...

Dietary

1 deal
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Ann Rose Events

5.0 (1)
· Santa Barbara, CA

Ann Rose Events is a catering company in Santa Barbara, California, specializing in wedding events and milestone...Read more celebrations. A mother-daughter duo runs this business with a passion for designing one-of-a-kind parties for couples on their special day. They help people plan everything from grazing...

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$500 starting price

1 deal

Responds within 24 hours
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Paso Catering Co.

5.0 (3)
· Paso Robles, CA

Paso Catering Co. is a full-service wedding catering company based in Paso Robles, California. This business strives to...Read more provide exceptional service from beginning to end, with on-site caterers ready to meet your every need. They provide delicious, seasonal food designed by their chef and owner,...

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$30 starting price

Responds within 24 hours
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Leandro's Cucina Italiana

5.0 (3)
· Paso Robles, CA

Leandro's Cucina Italiana in Paso Robles, California, is a restaurant and wedding venue that offers mouth-watering...Read more Italian dishes. At this establishment, they speak English, Italian, and Spanish. Facilities and Capacity At Leandro's Cucina Italiana, you and your loved ones will be treated to a...

$35 starting price

500
Guests

1 deal -5% Discount

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Crush Carts

5.0 (1)
· Paso Robles, CA

Crush Carts is a wedding caterer that offers bar and beverage services and is based in Paso Robles, California. They...Read more bring their mobile bar cart to elevate your big day with a touch of rustic wine country and Italian sophistication. The cart is inspired by the timeless elegance of the iconic Piaggio...

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$850 starting price

2 deals -5% Discount

Responds within 24 hours
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Big Mann BBQ

3.7 (4)
· Ventura, CA

Based out of Ventura, California, Big Mann BBQ is a wedding catering company. Specializing in barbecue, this business...Read more has more than 25 years of experience. The owner has been cooking for people since their time in college, and their passion for the work has only grown. They love being able to give...

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1 deal -10% Discount

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Central Coast Catering

5.0 (4)
· Santa Barbara, CA

Central Coast Catering is a wedding catering business operating out of Santa Barbara, California. These skilled...Read more professionals will deliver delicious cuisine and five-star service to your special day. Services Offered This premier catering company is operated by the founders of Barbareño, an eatery...

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Popolo Catering

4.9 (124)
· San Luis Obispo, CA

Popolo Catering is an acclaimed wedding catering service based out of San Luis Obispo, California. Serving wedding-goers...Read more across the Golden State's Central Coast, this business is owned by Leon and Kathleen Castillo. This pair is passionate about completing milestone celebrations with delightful...

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Haute Skillet

5.0 (38)
· San Luis Obispo, CA

Haute Skillet is a wedding and event catering company located in San Luis Obispo, California. This full-service caterer...Read more specializes in personalized dining experiences that provide delicious cuisine and beautiful memories. Always aiming to serve the freshest food with magnificent presentations, the...

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$30 starting price

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Thario’s Kitchen

Carpinteria, CA

Thario's Kitchen is a family-owned restaurant based in Carpinteria, California, that offers delectable catering services...Read more for weddings and other special events. Thaïs and Mario, a husband and wife duo and founders of the company, have a true passion for hospitality, which shines through in the work...

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$3,000 starting price

1 deal

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Beans BBQ and Catering

5.0 (3)
· Goleta, CA

Beans BBQ Catering of Santa Barbara is the love child of many years of family BBQ's where friends and family alike would...Read more come for the party and stay for the food! Beans BBQ takes BBQ and the love of good, wholesome, home style cooking to another level. Each dish hand crafted with the same love and...

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$32.50 starting price
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Coastline Catering

5.0 (2)
· San Luis Obispo, CA

Based out of San Luis Obispo, California, Coastline Catering is a wedding culinary service that offers delicious Mexican...Read more cuisine. This family-owned business was founded by a husband and wife duo with a deep passion for creating mouthwatering, quality food that brings people together and makes any...

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$25 starting price
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Taqueria805

San Luis Obispo, CA

Taqueria805 is a wedding catering business serving the Central Coast area. Based out of San Luis Obispo, California,...Read more Taqueria805 offers a range of packages for couples to choose from. Their professional culinary team serves up delicious and authentic Mexican food that is sure to impress the guests...

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$750 starting price
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Graze Craze

4.8 (1)
· Paso Robles, CA

Based in Paso Robles, California, Graze Craze provides unique catering options for cocktail hours and receptions. This...Read more company goes above and beyond, striving to create opportunities for social gatherings. Their flexible charcuterie catering offers a wide range of choices to suit any taste and...

Delivery Dietary Hors d'oeuvres Cocktail Reception

$200 starting price
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Taste Craft Eatery

4.8 (21)
· San Luis Obispo, CA

Taste! has been serving finely crafted eats throughout the Central Coast since 1999. Our food philosophy is simple. We...Read more believe that food should be quality to start, adulterated little, therefor we've always embraced a farm to table mentality. We locally source our ingredients whenever possible and...

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$7,000 starting price
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Tamara's Catering

4.9 (65)
· Santa Barbara, CA

Tamara's Catering is a full-service catering company located in Santa Barbara, California. They have covered it, from...Read more weddings to gala affairs, cocktail parties, day-to-day corporate needs, and personal celebrations. They will personally help clients design a menu that reflects their desires and...

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Dining Under The Starrs

5.0 (18)
· Camarillo, CA

Specializing in customizable menus, Dining Under The Starrs is a wedding caterer located in Camarillo, California. They...Read more are proud of their connections to local growers and distributors, and aim to provide exceptional farm-to-table experiences. This team believes that along with having a fresh taste,...

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Omni Catering

4.9 (55)
· Carpinteria, CA

"Crafting Culinary experiences for weddings, corporate and special events." For over 15 years Omni Catering has created...Read more over 1,500 unforgettable full-service catered events for our discerning clients through our commitment to culinary excellence, creative artistry, and impeccable service. Elevate...

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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.

$ 1,000 or less Lower range
$ 5,500 Average cost
$ 3,200 - $ 8,300 Most couples spend between
$ 12,000 or more Upper range

Costs displayed are based on spend from thousands of couples who recently reported pricing for this service within their WeddingWire review. Pricing varies based on factors including, but not limited to, vendor’s experience, level of expertise, event guest count, date, and geographic region.

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.

See other couples' reviews of Wedding Caterers in Santa Barbara

Oak Pit Catering

5.0 (6) · Wedding Caterers · Santa Barbara

Jesica

5.0 out of 5 rating

Michael and his staff were absolutely amazing! We hired Oak Pit Catering for our wedding in Paso Robles and it was by far the best experience we have ever had! From the start Michael was responsive and professional. He was knowledgeable about food allergies and really took care in making sure everyone had something to eat. Having Celiacs, it was such a nice feeling being able to enjoy the food at my wedding. Michael and his staff were attentive throughout the wedding, walking around checking in on everyone multiple times to see if they needed anything. We got multiple compliments on how the staff was friendly, attentive, professional, and had great energy. Now, the food! Wow! The food was out of the world amazing. By far the best forget wedding food, just by far some of the best food I have had in general. I cannot count how many compliments we got about how amazing the food was, and still to this day weeks later, we are still receiving messages raving about the food and wanting the recipe. I would have my wedding over again just to have their food again! I highly recommend Oak Pit Catering to everyone!

Central Coast Catering

5.0 (4) · Wedding Caterers · Santa Barbara

Jeffrey

5.0 out of 5 rating

Central Coast Catering/Barbareño catered our wedding this past weekend and we cannot believe what an amazing job they did. We lost count of how many guests told us it was the best wedding food they've ever had! From day one Elisa was professional, responsive, and was flexible to make sure we got exactly what we wanted. She went above and beyond joining us for a venue tour, handling all dietary restrictions (including a celiac) with ease, and ensured her service team was on-point. We had 3 stationary apps, and a family style dinner with 3 sides and 2 proteins for 185 people with no issues whatsoever. Our guests not only raved about the food, but of how warm and kind the service team was during dinner. They are premium catering service for what we felt like was a fair price. We can't recommend them enough- you won't be disappointed!

Popolo Catering

4.9 (124) · Wedding Caterers · Santa Barbara

Kandice

5.0 out of 5 rating

We chose Popolo to cater our daughter’s wedding in Paso Robles, as we were looking for a solid buffet dinner for a barn wedding venue. We wanted our guests to have, not only a hearty meal, but quality prepared and delivered food. Popolo walked us through the menu, so that we could put together a well-rounded menu. They catered to our needs, and offered suggestions as needed. They were flexible in making changes, and they kept us informed along the way. Our wedding guests loved the food, and it was plentiful. Desserts were fantastic, too! I highly recommend Popolo for your wedding menu!

Ann Rose Events

5.0 (1) · Wedding Caterers · Santa Barbara

DJ's California Catering

5.0 (150) · Wedding Caterers · Santa Barbara

Command Performance Catering

4.8 (171) · Wedding Caterers · Santa Barbara

Ashley

5.0 out of 5 rating

We loved working with Command Performance Catering! Jesus was able to provide us with even more menu options than we originally thought came with our wedding package, so we were able to create the perfect menu. They were very accommodating with our requests and helpful in deciding on certain details such as chairs, napkins, glasses, seating chart, etc. The staff the day of the wedding were super professional and kind towards our guests. We kept getting complimented on how smoothly everything was being ran. Our food ended up being even better than we expected and our guests really enjoyed it as well! The CPC bartenders were also really great and we loved our signature drinks. We couldn't recommend working with them enough!