Wedding Reception Food

How much does wedding reception food cost on average per guest?

Answer:

Food costs depend on a lot of things but mostly on what is being served and how it is being served.

If you go for lighter faire such as a brunch or finger food, it will cost less than if you go for a full course dinner meal.

Think of what generally costs more for yourself to cook. Pasta dishes and salads are economical. Lobster and crab are more expensive.

So, if you want to go more economical dinner, choose salads, pasta, chicken and perhaps roast beef.

It also will cost more if you choose to have a sit down dinner as you will have to pay more for wait staff.

A cheaper option is a buffet style where everyone goes up to help themselves or family style where platters of food are placed on tables for guests to pass around and serve.

It could also depend on the wedding reception venue.

If you have your wedding reception at a fancy ball room at an expensive spa and resort, you are going to pay more per plate than if you chose your local community hall or legion simply because of location, location, location.

So it really is a complicated question depending on what you are envisioning for your meal.

To try to help you out further, please go to my Average Wedding Budget page and scroll down to the bottom.

There you will find a wedding cost estimator (in the box) which you can fill out your location (zip code), the number of guests you will be inviting, and what type of wedding you are planning to have.

I think that you will get a better idea of what the average wedding meal will cost in your area.