Why is catering so expensive????

View Quoted Comment Alright I’ll see what I can find!

View Quoted Comment Https://www.bullwinklestophatbistro.com/catering-menus/catering-packages/

$10-$15 a person depending on which package you choose

View Quoted Comment Https://leesmiamivalley.com/catering/ Party packs would be $375 for 70 guests. People love comfort food!

View Quoted Comment Thank you!!

Https://locations.fazolis.com/oh/dayton/2419-miamisburg-centerville-road/catering.html Prices are all over the place so it depends on what you order. Total could come in well under $1000

No problem hun! Those are the 3 options I could find, there might be more out there just without a website so I can’t check prices. Just remember to get chafing dishes. You can buy a box of them for $30 at Walmart so you can keep your food hot. As for your health, I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. I had to push back my wedding from health issues so I understand the stress. I hope you’re getting better. Good luck hun! ❤️

Many people (guests) are against self catering /potlucks due to health concerns. And rightfully so. Look into cutting costs in other areas for the wedding to pay for catering.

I’ve worked in food and beverage my whole life and there is good reason catering runs steep. It’s hard work. I don’t recommend doing it yourself but you might be able to find someone willing to do a simple menu for you at cost. Definitely shop around but with catering you get what you pay for. I have seen some amazing gourmet pizza catering and you can always have friends do apps... and drinks etc...

Yea food for that many people is always going to cost a lot. You could find something like taco or Mexican catering, it would be way casual but you'd get a lot of food for $5 or so a person

Honestly $1000 is super reasonable. Catering is insane work. The amount of time and stuff that goes into it is crazy! Honestly my food cost right now is about $8300. I honestly wouldn’t self cater just because I wouldn’t want to deal with liability and all that. I like the suggestions for tacos or like Italian. Just shop around you’ll find something within budget. 🙂

I would definitely caution against self-catering—there’s too much risk involved with food service and handling, and you wouldn’t want anyone to get sick. Not that I think you’re a bad cook or anything, but between prep, transport, and service there’s so many opportunities for food to be at a bad temperature for too long and spoil.

The best way to cut catering costs is to cut catering staff. Do buffet style as opposed to a plated meal, have an appetizer table instead of passed appetizers, have self-service dispensers for water, etc. Also, unless you’re using paper plates and solo cups, your guests probably won’t notice your china and glassware, so if you’re renting those from your caterer then that’s a good place to save as well.

Honestly, one of my coworkers just got married and her family/husband's family made all of the food. Then again, they limited their guest count so that it was a small wedding (maybe 60 people). We’re doing buffet style BBQ from our favorite BBQ place out here on the east coast. With an extra meat, an extra side, and military discount, we’re under $2000 for 100 guests, but it includes the nice disposable plates, plastic ware, drinks, table decor for buffet tables, travel expenses, staffing, etc. Our caterer is also traveling an hour and a half one way. So, maybe take distance from caterer, what caterer offers or includes, guest list size, and stuff like that into consideration? Depending on your location and the caterer, prices will definitely vary! I’ve seen crazy catering prices as high as $50 per plate. Craziness! Anyway, stick with the buffet style and maybe opt for brunch, pasta, BBQ, or something like that. My brother and sister-in-law had chicken fingers, fries, and other low cost foods for theirs. Keep looking around. You don’t need to make your decision right now; you have time! You could also wait until you’re back to work to reexamine what you’ll have and look at setting a budget maybe?

View Quoted Comment Same ! I’m in Rhode Island and our venue is $5,832 and our catering cost us $4,500. It’s so expensive up here.

We're self catering our wedding. And before everyone jumps all over me-yes I know how to properly prepare, handle, and store the food. And yes I know it's going to be added stress and responsibility... But it's what we want to do and it's what works best for us to have the day we want. It is possible. It's a crap ton of work and planning but it is possible.

I completely understand having neediness issues. I had brain surgery last fall and was off work for 6 months. We're still trying to crawl out of the financial struggles that caused. Everyone always has an opinion about everyone else's circumstances and situations, so you need to take those opinions with a grain of salt. Only you and your FI know what you are willing or able to do and afford. My biggest advice is to research the crap outta everything- caterer, restaurant, food options, etc... You may end up being surprised at what you can find. I wish you the best of luck!

**medical issues not neediness... Geez my phone is nuts! Sorry if that sounded offensive...

You could do a cake & punch reception during a non-meal time. It would be a shorter wedding but cheaper. I'd look into BBQ or Mexican catering for cheaper options but I'd plan on a minimum of $10 pp.

The ideal of serving a meal to your guest is a formal gesture of "Thanking them" for witnessing your day and for their gifts. Catering is expensive because cost to us are also high. You tell me what you think you would be willing to pay total for the following.
The average wedding 100 Guest including wedding party.
1. Shopping for ingredients, meat, & fruits2. Prep3. Cooking and baking4. Linens5. Silverware6. Wine glasses7. Tastings8. Plates9. Second set silverwareplates for desserts10. Waterglasses11. Serving/chaffing trays, serving utencils12. Decorations13. Dessert table14. Staffing 5 servers15. Taxes and licensing 16. Beverages17. Set up, take down, clean up, washing, restocking18. Mileage 19. Tables & Chairs20. Trash removal 21. Wedding cake and serviceThese things dont account for back items such as trailers, uniforms, gloves etc.I hope this gives you an answer to your question. Congratulations again. Chef Patches