Quick Answer
How much does wedding catering cost per person?
Buffet service runs $40-$80 per person, plated $70-$150, and premium plated $150-$300, before service charge and tax. Region cost-of-living, courses (cocktail apps, late-night snack) and whether the service charge goes to staff all move the final number - the calculator below personalizes it.
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Wedding Catering Cost Calculator
A price-per-person range for your service style and region, with service charge and tax handled for you.
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Estimated catering cost
$14,021 - $28,194
Most likely: $21,107 for 120 guests billed
$176 all-in per guest · 11 servers suggested
Suggested tip if service charge is not a staff tip: $220 - $550
Cost by guest count
| Guests | Range |
|---|---|
| 30 | $3,505 - $7,049 |
| 50 | $5,842 - $11,748 |
| 100 | $11,684 - $23,495 |
| 150 | $17,526 - $35,243 |
| 200 | $23,368 - $46,990 |
Savings ideas
- Buffet service instead of plated can cut the per-person rate by 40-50%.
- Drop the late-night snack station to save $5-$12 per guest.
- Booking outside May-October avoids the typical 10% peak-season premium.
What drives wedding catering cost in the US
Service style is the single biggest lever. Buffet needs roughly one server per 22 guests; plated service needs closer to one per 11 - nearly double the labor - which is most of why plated runs $70-$150 a head against buffet's $40-$80. Premium plated, with a multi-course tasting-menu feel, can run $150-$300. Region matters almost as much: the same menu in a high cost-of-living market runs about 35% above a lower-cost one.
The line couples miss most: service charge is not automatically a tip. Many banquet contracts list an 18-22% "service charge" that covers overhead, not staff wages - ask directly, in writing, before assuming your servers are covered.
Frequently asked questions
How much does wedding catering cost per person?
Buffet service typically runs $40-$80 per person, family-style $55-$100, plated $70-$150, food stations $80-$140, and premium plated $150-$300. Region matters too: a "high cost-of-living" market runs about 35% above a "lower cost" one for the identical menu.
Does the service charge go to the serving staff?
Not always, and that is the single most common catering-contract surprise. Ask your caterer directly. If the service charge is not distributed as a staff tip, industry guidance is to tip $20-$50 per server separately.
Is sales tax charged on the service charge too?
It depends on the state. Some states tax only the food and drink subtotal; others also tax the service charge. Toggle "my state taxes the service charge too" above if your caterer's contract says so.
What is the cheapest catering service style?
Buffet is usually cheapest because it needs the fewest servers (about 1 per 22 guests versus 1 per 11 for plated service). Family-style sits in between: fewer servers than plated, but still a seated, served meal.
Next step
Don't forget the bar
Alcohol is usually the second-largest catering-adjacent cost. Get a shopping list and cost comparison with the wedding alcohol calculator.
By Mayank JaiswalLast updated