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Ah, the wedding! That magical moment when you say "I do" for life... and your bank account says "ouch" in unison. Between the dress, the venue, the flowers, the DJ, and of course, the caterer , the bill can quickly make you dizzy. And yet, we don't joke about the wedding meal: it's often what guests remember the most (after the dress and the moment when uncle drank too much).
So, how much should you really budget for wedding catering? Is it like a raclette with friends or more like a dinner at a Michelin-starred chef's house? Spoiler: it's somewhere in between... but not quite. Come on, we'll tell you everything!
The price of a wedding caterer depends on a lot of factors—just like the cost of the wedding dress —but we're not going to make you beat around the bush: in France, the average cost per person is around €60 to €120, all-inclusive (cocktail, meal, service). And when we say 'all-inclusive,' it's important: otherwise, you risk discovering small print on the quote that will give you the shivers.
If we take an average, for 100 guests , you can therefore plan between €6,000 and €12,000 . Yes, it stings a little. But it's the price to pay to avoid feeding your guests with crisps and canned pâté.
When a caterer tells you a price, it's not just for the food. There's often a whole package behind it:
The aperitif cocktail (also called the wine of honor, the moment when everyone drinks standing up while waiting for the meal to begin)
Starter, main course, cheese, dessert
Service (waiters and sometimes head waiter)
Dishes (because you're not going to get out your IKEA plates)
Rental of equipment (tables, tablecloths, glasses, etc.)
Because let's be honest: €60 per head is nice, but it can quickly climb to €150 or more . Here's why.
Obviously, the more guests you have, the more your budget explodes. Just because you found a nice caterer doesn't mean they're going to give you a wholesale price for 200 people. Every mouth you feed costs money, especially if they have a good appetite... and your Princess Wedding Dress won't make up the bill!
There are several options:
Buffet : cheaper, but can feel like a "canteen" if poorly presented
Plated service : fancier, more expensive, requires more staff
Cocktail dinner : modern, friendly, but be careful to fill your stomachs
Plated service is usually the most expensive option, especially if there are multiple courses. But it always makes a statement. And if you enjoy seeing your guests impressed by MasterChef-worthy dishes, this is the choice for you.
Foie gras or country terrine? Beef fillet or chicken thigh? Mature cheese platter or cheap brie? The menu directly influences the price. The more premium the products (and the further they come from), the more it will be reflected in the quote.
Special mention should be made of vegetarian and vegan options: some caterers charge extra for them, others don't. It's up to you to decide based on your audience and your values.
Here we enter the red zone of the quote:
Culinary activities (carving stand, Japanese chef who puts on a show, etc.)
Staff overtime
Night service
Brunch the next day
Open bar (yes, that counts too)
It's like Netflix: the more options you add, the more you suffer.
Because we can already hear you saying: “But isn’t there a way to do it cheaper?” Yes, but you have to be a little cunning.
It's math. Fewer people = fewer meals = less money. Easy to say, hard to do. But honestly, do you really want to invite that cousin you haven't seen in 12 years and who doesn't even follow you on Instagram? Especially when every dollar saved could make your mermaid wedding dress even more spectacular.
A buffet can cut the bill in half. And when presented well, it can be super chic! The same goes for the cocktail reception, which is very trendy and perfect for a garden party wedding.
No need to offer a trilogy of starters , two main courses, and a dessert. One starter, one main course, one dessert, and that's it. Add a good wine and your guests won't notice a thing.
Hiring a caterer from 200 km away is nice, but you'll have to pay for transportation, accommodation, and all the bells and whistles. A good option: a small local caterer, often cheaper, just as efficient, and more available.
The mojito bar, the chocolate fountain, the crepe stand at 2 a.m.... Is it really necessary? Not sure. And it can increase the quote by several hundred euros .
Because there's more to life than traditional caterers. Some couples get creative. And frankly, we love it.
Super trendy, food trucks can offer original and less expensive menus : gourmet burgers, wood-fired pizzas, savory crepes, etc. It's friendly, offbeat, and your guests will love it.
Average price: €30 to €50 per person , sometimes less.
Some chefs offer to come and cook directly at your home or in the dining room. Less logistics, more flexibility, a bit like choosing a short wedding dress : simpler, but still elegant. But be careful: you need a fully equipped kitchen, otherwise it's mission impossible (or they'll prepare everything in advance, but that changes the result).
If you have a family of master chefs or friends who are passionate about cooking, why not entrust them with the meal? It's economical, very personal... but be careful with the organization. It takes people, equipment, and energy .
And remember: those who cook don't profit. Something to think about.
Let’s talk numbers, to help you visualize better.
Simple cold buffet: €30 per person
Service: €500
Crockery/equipment rental: €600
Approximate total: €2,600
Cocktail + plated meal: €80 per person
Service included
Equipment rental: included
Approximate total: €8,000
Cocktail, gourmet menu, mature cheeses, dessert by a renowned pastry chef: €140 per person
High-end service
Brunch the next day: €20 per person
Approximate total: €23,000
Yeah. It's closer to the price of a car than a cocktail party.
Before signing at the bottom, read carefully. Just like when you accept the terms of use (but this time, it's really worth it).
The number of people
The detailed menu
Included options (service, rental, drinks, etc.)
Cancellation conditions
Possible additional costs (overtime, breakages, etc.)
Bread and coffee charged extra
Servers' overtime
Night service at a premium price
The cost of travel
If in doubt, ask. Better to come across as a pain than as naive.
So, if we had to summarize:
The average price is between €60 and €120 per guest.
For 100 people , expect to pay between €6,000 and €12,000.
It is possible to reduce the bill , but you will have to make choices
There are original alternatives to traditional caterers
And above all, the caterer is a key position: it's an investment, certainly, but it's also what guarantees a successful day (and guests who are full, happy, and ready to dance until the end of the night, as explained here ).
A wedding isn't just any dinner party. It's your day , your celebration, your moment. The meal is one of its pillars. So treat yourself, keep your dream and budget in balance, and above all: choose a caterer you trust.
And hey, between us... better a good meal and an average DJ than an incredible light show with empty plates .