Typical catering budget?

We set a budget for $5K on catering, our venue is limited to 5 preferred caterers. My Quotes were based off 75 people ( assuming 100% attendance..I guess I did it opposite, I made a Guest list then got quotes)

1) $7700

2) $6600

3) $5200

4) $4600

5) $3900

Surprisingly the $6600 option did not taste nearly as good as the $4600 option. and the cheapest option didn't have the versatility of dishes that I wanted.

But as Celia said, it's so subjective. I can get Catering from a local BBQ place for $2200, but it wasn't what we wanted. But budget really varies.

Wedding is in the White Mountains of NH and we are paying $109 per person including food, alcohol, tax and gratuity.

Mine is 32 pp . That's without alcohol.

Really depends on the area and whats offered. In in California. Our buffet catering is $66/person. For 120 guests it will be around 7,000 Plated is $100 which is standard for many venues in the area. This price does include coffee and soda for those that don't want to drink alcohol, as well as appetizers. I'm guestimating our alcohol is going to cost around $3,000 (consumption) They are also providing vegetarian meals at no extra cost for guests requesting them

For 120 guests in MA, we are spending about $12k for food (including appetizers) We are doing a consumption based bar with a start of $2k and if it gets used all up we will add the rest on to the tab. So, food and bar is around $14k

@kelly - Where is your wedding!? My ceremony is on Cathedral Ledge and then my reception is at Hardy Farm over the border in Maine. I get so excited when I see other White Mountain brides!

You're my date twin!

I am also in MA and we are estimating around 85-90 people. Our Caterer is providing 3-4 passed appetizers - cheese & fruit platter for cocktail hour and buffet style dinner. Dinner includes salad, rolls, 3 entree choices and 2 sides. Dinner options are chicken piccata, steamship round, and a vegetarian option(TBD). We are also doing coffee & tea through caterer. We are looking at roughly $4,400.

@kelsey Ahh yayy! It's at the Woodstock Inn and Brewery in Woodstock, NH. I can't wait, we booked it exactly two years in advance so it's getting SO real finally ETA: Cathedral ledge looks so beautiful!

Central Connecticut

230 (ish) guests

$25,000 includes:

Reception venue

3 course plated meal w/ cocktail hour & dessert

5.5 hours open bar

All tables, chairs, and linens

All staff

Tax & service charge

I am having around 100-125 guests and my catering is around 5,000

We're looking at roughly $12 pp for cocktail hour, $50 pp for dinner (apps, entree, sides, dessert), $12 pp for cake. Drinks are consumption, we're estimating $10-20 pp.

All told, $100ish pp or $4,000 plus taxes, service fees, and tip. 40 guests total in Charlottesville.

We paid almost $40k, for 225 guests, at a 5-star hotel, near where you are located.

I'm in southern NJ, close to Philly.

Using your guest count with my caterers prices is gonna run between 8-10k.

Our catering is about $18K for 125 guests, plus consumption bar with a $5k minimum in downtown Minneapolis,.

There are a ton of factors here. What type of food, what area, how many guests, etc.

Personally, we are getting married at a beautiful barn. My FH's grandmother kindly offered to pay for our catering. Even for the BBQ that we opted for, the budget is $3k for 100 guests. It's not really about what everyone else spends, seeing as we're all over the world practically. But it's about finding something that works with your budget and all the other factors you have to consider. I will say, aside from the venue, our catering was our second largest cost!

Our wedding is in Western Ma , we got a deal at $39.99 per person plated .includes welcome veg and fruit platter. Soup ,salad and the main dish along with a dessert buffet.

Celia is right. This will do you no good.

I'm in New England and I spent $25K for food and open bar for 100 guests. My friend is engaged and just booked her caterer in the same state and will be paying half what we paid for food that's probably just as delicious just a different menu/setup. This is entirely variable on where you are, what you want, and what you're willing to spend.