Caterers

Haha! I know the struggle. Catering was our biggest vendor cost. I do know Mexican, BBQ, or Italian can be a lot cheaper. Like $10 per person. Or restaurants vs. traditional catering companies.

Food for a lot of people will add up real quick

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Definitely! I'm about to start being mean so people wont come lol hahahahha

That's what I said! I wish people would eat before they come lol

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Lol exactly!!!!

This post spoke to me, I am STRUGGLING too. ://

Have you considered ordering buffet from a regular restaurant like olive garden, macayos, etc.? I used to order event catering for an old job. You can feed 100 people for $500 easy

Ugh... I feel this! I originally wanted to self cater because catering is so high. But then I started freaking out about how I would get the food there, and keep it warm. And who would keep everything replenished and help clean it up? So yeah I went with a caterer. She quoted me $15 a person including full chafing (buffet set up, keeping everything up, cleaning up when done, and supplying drinks and all cutlery). I was like "okay great! I have 100 people projected, and I can probably swing $1500". Then I got the invoice and it was for $2000 because there's gratuity and stuff added on. Not to mention my guest list has grown since then so I'm definitely thinking we will have more than 100. I've only put the $500 deposit down and I'm already dreading what my final numbers are going to be....

I hear the struggle! I was seriously about to just order pizza to my house and have a house party. We ended up doing a restaurant reception that comes out to $25/ person once gratuity and tax was added ($23/ person minus the cake).

Ahhhhhggggg, i hear this! And then each caterer in completely different, with multiple different tiers, and fees..... staffing fee, site fee, tax, and then operational fee 21%??, plus the cost of the actual food and drink (which seems already inflated as it is! 60 per person for me at the moment!) then they want an additional 3% fee for a credit card- yikes!!!!

They charge 100x the price for a wedding because brides in general are known to be picky/demanding even if not all are, and they won't question anyone charging extra for the exact same food and service that would be at a family reunion or birthday party.


Many restaurants cater with no problem and you already know the food is good so you just have to have a staffing team (if the restaurant doesn't provide) serve, which is still less expensive for the same/more food than you get with a wedding caterer.