Buffet catering - counting kids

I would ask your caterer or check your contract because that's what it really depends on. Our caterer charges 2 for the price of 1 for children.

I've never heard of that type of calculation but that's actually not a bad idea!

That’s how I usually calculate when planning for large groups, my two kids combined eat about as much as my FH (though they are 4 and 5 and I don’t think that’ll work much longer because their appetites are getting bigger). The other thing I would consider is that parents will usually serve kids at a buffet and may serve them things they will only pick at hoping they’ll eat it. My FH also tends to way over serve the kids- like enough for me to eat, which drives me crazy because someone is paying for all the wasted food (usually us)! Just things to consider. Also, what age are you consider kids for catering purposes? Under 12? Under 10? Under 8? I think it’s hard to draw the line, but caterers should have enough experience to advise better.

The caterer will know how to handle and there is usually a different charge for kids so just tell them how many adults and how many kids you have.

Ask your caterer, they should have a set price for kids. Mine charges $15 for kids under 10, everyone else is $60.

View Quoted Comment Our caterer doesn’t have that sort of pricing. They’re a restaurant that also does catering for 8.95 a person. They don’t have children’s pricing.

My Husband and I did buffet style and we only had for the smaller kids chicken nuggets and fries at no charge for them.

It's odd the restaurant doesn't have a child price. In general if they eat solids you'd count them . But I agree until age 6ish you can count two kids as one adult. After age 6 they can start to eat like adults.

I was thinking about doing this as well.

The kids in our wedding under 10 are being served a kids meal, the rest are going through the buffet.

While I don't see anything wrong with it especially cuz you are using a caterer, I would get as accurate a count based on how many kids actually eat. For instance my kid pricing 5 and under is free. I have maybe 2 little cousins who are 6 but I counted them as 5 because I know they eat like birds lol and it's not like my venue is going to ask them how old they are. I would formulate it as best you can haha!

View Quoted Comment Yes... I will second this as well. The age should play a big part. My son is only 10 but litterally he eats twice the amount of FH. He believes in 4th and 5th meals!

We only had a handful of kids so I counted them as adults that way there would be extra food for adults that eat a lot.