Cost guide
How much does wedding catering cost?
A sit-down wedding breakfast costs £40 to £100 per head with staff, crockery and linen. A hot or cold buffet is £15 to £30, sharing platters £45 to £90, and evening food £10 to £25 per head. Bridebook's 2026 survey of about 7,000 couples put typical food spend at around £87 per guest across the day.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A quote depends on your room.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Canapés on arrival, 3 to 5 per guest | £7 to £15 |
| Sit-down wedding breakfast, three courses | £40 to £100 |
| Sharing platters or family-style, per head | £45 to £90 |
| Hot or cold wedding buffet, per head | £15 to £30 |
| Evening food, per head | £10 to £25 |
Ask whether the price per head includes VAT, staff, crockery, linen and cutting the cake. On a dry-hire site or in a marquee, ask what kitchen the caterer needs and who provides it, because that is where a quote grows after the tasting.
What moves the price
- Service style. Plated courses need the most staff; buffets, sharing boards and street food need fewer, and cost less per head.
- What is included. Staff, crockery, linen, glassware, cake cutting and VAT are included by some caterers and added by others.
- The venue. A dry-hire barn or marquee with no kitchen means the caterer brings one, which is priced into the job.
- Guest numbers and minimums. Small weddings cost more per head, and peak dates often carry a minimum spend.
- Extras. Canapés, a cheese course, evening food, corkage and supplier meals each add a line to the final bill.
Who quotes for it
20 of the 2,162 caterers listed on this site take on wedding catering.
Where they are: Kilmarnock (2), Peterborough (2), Altrincham (1), Ascot (1), Beverley (1).
Questions about wedding catering
Can I use my own caterer at my wedding venue?
It depends on the venue. Many have an in-house team or an approved list, and some charge a fee to bring in a caterer from outside it. Dry-hire venues and marquees leave the choice to you.
Do I need to feed the photographer and band?
It is usual to provide a meal for suppliers who work through the day, and many contracts require it. Caterers often offer a lower-priced supplier meal; ask for it in the quote.