Wedding planning guide
Caterers
Catering is one of the largest line items in most wedding budgets, and the service style — plated, buffet, family-style, or food stations — shapes both the cost and the feel of the reception. Some venues also require using an in-house or preferred caterer, so it's worth checking that early.
What to budget
Catering pricing is almost always quoted per person, but what's bundled into that number varies a lot:
- Pricing is typically quoted per person, and varies significantly by service style (plated sit-down, buffet, family-style, food stations).
- Bar service, if not handled separately, is usually priced on top of food — either per person or based on consumption.
- Rentals (linens, place settings, glassware) may or may not be included in a catering quote, so always confirm.
- Staffing (servers, bartenders) is sometimes bundled into the per-person price and sometimes billed separately.
Questions to ask a caterers
- ?Is your pricing per person, and what exactly does that include — food, service staff, rentals?
- ?Can you accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, and is there an extra charge?
- ?Do we need to use your bar service, or can we bring in our own alcohol?
- ?What's your policy on final headcount changes, and when's the deadline?
- ?Have you worked at our venue before, or are there kitchen/logistics constraints we should know about?
Keep it all on the checklist
Once your caterer is booked, add it to your wedding checklist to track deposits, tastings, and the final headcount deadline.
Start your free checklistFrequently asked questions
When should we book our wedding caterer?
As soon as you have a venue and date — some venues require using a specific in-house or preferred caterer, so confirm that first before shopping around independently.
Does catering include the bar?
Sometimes, but not always — many caterers offer bar service as an add-on rather than including it by default, so ask explicitly rather than assuming it's bundled.
What's the difference between plated, buffet, and family-style service?
Plated service is individually served courses, buffet is self-serve stations, and family-style is shared platters passed at each table. Each has different staffing needs and costs, so ask your caterer which fits your guest count and venue layout best.
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