Wedding catering in the UK typically costs £55–£150 per guest for the wedding breakfast, with alcohol, evening food, and service charges pushing the total significantly higher. For 100 guests, expect to spend £8,000–£18,000 on food and drink all-in.
Catering is often the second-largest wedding expense after the venue, and it's one of the areas most prone to hidden charges. This guide breaks down what drives the cost and where you can genuinely save.
Wedding catering cost per head UK (2026)
| Catering Style | Cost Per Head (food only) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buffet (cold or hot) | £25 – £50 | Most affordable; informal |
| Afternoon tea | £30 – £55 | Popular for daytime receptions |
| Bowl food / sharing platters | £35 – £60 | Relaxed, modern style |
| Fork buffet / grazing tables | £40 – £70 | Popular with barn and outdoor venues |
| 3-course sit-down meal | £55 – £120 | Traditional wedding breakfast |
| 4-course sit-down meal | £80 – £150 | Premium; often at country houses |
| Street food / food trucks | £30 – £60 | Trendy; good for evening receptions |
| BBQ / hog roast | £35 – £70 | Great for outdoor summer weddings |
Remember: Add drinks, service charges, and VAT to all of these figures. The per-head food cost is only part of the total catering bill.
Full catering cost breakdown for 100 guests
Here's what a full wedding day's food and drink costs for 100 guests, across three budget levels:
| Cost Element | Budget Wedding | Mid-Range Wedding | Premium Wedding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wedding breakfast (food) | £2,500 | £6,500 | £12,000 |
| Drinks reception (Prosecco, soft) | £500 | £1,200 | £2,500 |
| Wine & bar at dinner | £800 | £2,000 | £4,000 |
| Evening food (buffet / canapes) | £500 | £1,000 | £2,000 |
| Service charge (15–20%) | £660 | £1,640 | £3,100 |
| VAT (20%) | £792 | £1,968 | £3,720 |
| Total estimate | £5,752 | £14,308 | £27,320 |
The biggest catering cost drivers
- Guest count — Every additional guest adds £55–£150 to your catering bill. Reducing by 30 guests saves £1,650–£4,500.
- Open bar vs. included drinks — An all-inclusive open bar can add £25–£50 per person over a 5-hour reception. Setting a drinks package (wine and soft drinks at dinner, cash bar afterwards) cuts costs significantly.
- Service charges— Typically 12.5–20%, applied automatically. On a £12,000 catering bill, that's £1,500– £2,400 extra.
- In-house vs. external caterer — Venue-approved caterers often cost 15–30% more than independent caterers. If your venue allows outside catering, you may save significantly.
- Dietary requirements — Complex dietary needs (multiple vegans, allergen-specific menus) can add £5–£15 per affected guest.
How to reduce your catering costs
- Choose a buffet or sharing style — A well-executed buffet can feel just as celebratory as a sit-down meal and cost half the price.
- Cut the open bar— Offer wine and soft drinks at dinner, then switch to a cash/pay bar in the evening. Most guests don't mind, and savings are £2,000–£4,000.
- Bring your own wine (where allowed) — Even after paying corkage (£8–£15/bottle), buying wine from a wholesale merchant is cheaper than venue wine prices.
- Serve evening food, not a second sit-down meal — Pizza, a hog roast, or a cheese board for evening guests costs far less than a formal evening buffet.
- Negotiate a minimum spend deal— If your venue has a minimum F&B spend, negotiate to include more things (better wine, a cocktail hour) rather than just paying for volume.
Tip: Build a 10% contingency into your catering budget. Final guest counts shift, dietary requirements get confirmed late, and service charges are sometimes higher than quoted.
Frequently asked questions
How much does wedding catering cost per head in the UK?
UK wedding catering costs £55–£120 per head for a three-course wedding breakfast, excluding drinks, service charges, and VAT. Add another £30–£60 per head for a full drinks package, making the all-in catering cost £85–£180 per guest for a formal sit-down wedding.
What is a realistic total wedding catering budget for 80 guests?
For 80 guests with a mid-range three-course wedding breakfast plus a drinks package and evening food, budget £9,000–£14,000 all-in (including service charge and VAT). On a tight budget with buffet-style food and limited drinks, £5,000–£7,000 is achievable.
Is it cheaper to have a buffet wedding?
Yes — a buffet typically costs 30–50% less per head than a formal sit-down wedding breakfast. A well-planned buffet with quality food can feel just as celebratory and gives guests more flexibility with dietary preferences.
Track catering quotes in ForeverAfter
As you get catering quotes, log them in ForeverAfter alongside your other expenses. The budget tracker shows your running total and how each category sits against your plan — so you can see early if catering is taking too large a share.
Related guides: Wedding Venue Costs, Average Wedding Cost UK, and The Realistic Wedding Budget Guide.