free planning tool
Catering Cost Calculator
Pick your guest count, service style, region, and bar — get an instant per-person and total estimate based on real 2026 pricing.
How this catering estimate works
The average wedding catering cost per person in 2026 is about $80 with food and a basic bar, but the realistic range runs from $30 food-truck receptions to $150+ multi-course plated dinners. This calculator starts from national per-person ranges for each service style, adds your bar choice, and adjusts for regional pricing — the Northeast and West Coast typically run 20–35% above the national average, while the Midwest, South, and Plains run 15–25% below.
Estimates include food, staffing, and typical service fees (usually 18–25% on food and beverage). They don't include rental upgrades, vendor meals, cake cutting, or venue fees — most couples should plan another 10–15% on top for those line items.
For the full picture — what's in a typical quote, where hidden fees show up, and seven ways to bring the number down — read our complete 2026 wedding catering cost guide. And to see how catering fits your whole budget, try the wedding budget calculator.
Since catering is the biggest cost that scales with every seat, the guest list is the other half of this math — the guest list cost estimator shows how many guests your budget really supports. And caterers for popular dates book out 10–12 months ahead: the wedding checklist generator puts “book caterer” in the right month for your date.
Frequently asked questions
How much does wedding catering cost per person?
About $80 per person is the national average with food and a basic bar, but the realistic range runs from $30 food-truck receptions to $150+ multi-course plated dinners. Service style is the biggest driver — staffing, not ingredients, is where plated dinners earn their premium.
How much does catering cost for a 100-guest wedding?
At national rates, a buffet with beer and wine runs about $7,500–$13,500 for 100 guests before regional adjustment. The Northeast and West Coast typically run 20–35% above those figures; the Midwest, South, and Plains run 15–25% below.
What's the cheapest wedding catering option?
Food trucks, at roughly $30–$60 per person — but that's before rentals, staffing, and venue add-ons, which is where food-truck budgets get surprised. Buffet and family-style are the cheapest full-service options because they need far fewer staff per guest than plated dinners.
Do these estimates include service fees and gratuity?
The estimates include food, staffing, and typical service fees (usually 18–25% on food and beverage). They don't include rental upgrades, vendor meals, cake cutting, or venue fees — plan another 10–15% on top for those line items, and always confirm what a real quote itemizes.
Why is my small wedding's catering quote so high per person?
Most caterers require a minimum order — commonly around $2,500 — regardless of guest count, because staffing and setup cost them the same for 20 guests as for 60. Below that threshold the per-person math climbs fast, which is why intimate weddings often do better with restaurant buyouts or drop-off catering.
Tracking real quotes against your budget? Eydn's budget tracker has catering, bar, and vendor-meal line items built in — start your 14-day free trial.