How Much Does It Cost to Feed 50 People at a Wedding?

If you’re planning a small or intimate wedding, you may be wondering:

“How much does it cost to feed 50 people at a wedding?”

Whether you’re choosing a buffet, plated dinner, cocktail reception, or simple drop-off catering, the good news is that feeding 50 guests is much more affordable than larger weddings — and you can often invest more into quality food, appetizers, or bar upgrades without breaking the bank.

Here is the complete 2025 guide to budgeting for wedding catering for 50 people.

Average Wedding Catering Cost for 50 Guests (2025)

Across the U.S., most couples spend:

• $35–$120+ per guest depending on service style

• $2,000–$7,000 total for 50 guests for food alone

• $3,000–$9,500+ total if you include appetizers + bar + staffing

A realistic catering budget for a 50-guest wedding falls into these tiers:

✔ Budget Catering (simple & affordable):

$1,750–$3,500 total

✔ Mid-Range Catering (most common):

$3,750–$6,000 total

✔ High-End Catering (gourmet/plated):

$6,500–$9,500+ total

These ranges apply whether you’re searching “catering near me,” “wedding caterers Louisville KY,” “best catering company,” or “Italian/Mexican/southern food wedding menus.”

What Affects the Cost of Feeding 50 Guests?

Catering prices are driven by four big factors:

1. Service Style (Biggest Budget Factor)

The way you serve your meal has the most influence on pricing.

Buffet Catering (most affordable)

$35–$60 per guest
Perfect for:

• Italian buffets

• Southern BBQ & comfort food

• Mexican/Tex-Mex taco bars

• “Simple and good” wedding menus

Family-Style Dinner

$50–$75 per guest
Loved for:

• Italian shared platters

• Rustic farmhouse weddings

• Seasonal or farm-to-table meals

Plated Dinner (premium option)

$70–$120+ per guest
Ideal for:

• Gourmet meals

• Multi-course plated menus

• Luxury or formal weddings

Cocktail-Style (heavy appetizers)

$40–$85 per guest
Great for:

• Small weddings

• Loft or outdoor venues

• Casual receptions or “party-style” weddings

2. Cuisine Choices (Italian, Mexican, Asian, Southern, Gourmet)

Different menu types have drastically different costs.

More Affordable Options

• Italian catering (pasta, chicken entrees)

• Mexican/Tex-Mex taco bars

• Southern food (BBQ, fried chicken, mac + cheese)

• Chinese/Japanese buffet-style menus

• Deli platters / sandwich bars

• Simple hot + cold buffet menus

Average for 50 guests:
$1,750–$3,000

Higher-End Menu Prices

• Steak, seafood, or premium proteins

• Chef-attended stations (carving, sushi, pasta toss)

• Multi-course plated gourmet dinners

• European/German specialty menus

• Fusion cuisine

Average for 50 guests:
$3,500–$6,500+

3. Bar Service & Beverage Packages

Bar pricing depends on the type of alcohol and service.

• Beer & Wine Only: +$10–$18 per guest

• Standard Full Bar: +$18–$30 per guest

• Premium Open Bar: +$28–$45 per guest

For 50 guests, bar service adds:
$500–$2,250+ depending on the package.

4. Staffing, Rentals & Extras

If you’re hiring a full-service caterer or company (like Michaelis Events), expect additional line items such as:

• Servers

• Bartenders

• Cooks

• Delivery & transport

• Setup & teardown

• Linens, plates, flatware, glassware

• Buffet equipment & bar stations

These can add 20–25% to your food total — or be included in an all-inclusive package.

For smaller weddings (like 50 guests), staffing needs are lower, so costs stay more manageable.

Sample Catering Budgets for 50 Guests

Here are realistic, plug-and-play examples you can use.

Budget-Friendly Catering — $1,750–$3,500 Total

Perfect for: buffet, drop-off catering, simple menus

• Buffet meal (Italian, Mexican, southern food): $1,500–$2,500

• Non-alcoholic beverages: $75–$150

• Delivery/mileage: $75–$200

• Staffing (optional): $250–$500

• Tax/service: $100–$300

Total: $1,750–$3,500

Best for couples searching:
“Cheap wedding catering,” “affordable buffet near me,” or “small wedding catering packages.”

Mid-Range Catering — $3,750–$6,000 Total

Perfect for: buffet + appetizers + bar service

• Buffet or family-style dinner: $2,500–$3,500

• Appetizers (hot + cold): $300–$600

• Beer & wine bar: $600–$900

• Staffing + rentals: $500–$900

• Taxes/fees: $150–$300

Total: $3,750–$6,000

This is the most common range for high-quality wedding catering for 50 guests.

High-End / Gourmet Catering — $6,500–$9,500+ Total

Perfect for: plated dinner, premium bar, chef-driven menus

• Plated gourmet dinner: $3,500–$6,000

• Passed appetizers: $400–$800

• Premium open bar: $1,400–$2,000

• Staffing + rentals: $700–$1,200

• Taxes/fees: $300–$500

Total: $6,500–$9,500+

Ideal for couples wanting a restaurant-quality meal and luxury service.

Louisville KY & Kentucky Prices for Feeding 50 Guests

In Louisville KY, Lexington, and most of Kentucky, catering pricing tends to be more affordable than coastal markets.

Typical ranges:

• Buffet: $1,750–$3,000

• Family-style: $2,500–$3,750

• Plated dinner: $3,750–$5,500+

• Bar packages: $500–$1,800

Local full-service companies like Michaelis Events may offer all-inclusive catering + bar packages that combine:

• Menu

• Staffing

• Bar service

• Rentals

• Setup/teardown

…making the cost more predictable for smaller weddings of 50 guests.

Smart Ways to Save on Catering for 50 Guests

Smaller guest counts give you flexibility, but here’s how to stretch the budget even further:

✔ Choose a buffet instead of plated

Saves $750–$1,500 for 50 guests.

✔ Stick to beer & wine bar

Saves $500–$1,200 vs a full open bar.

✔ Limit entrée choices

Two entrées instead of three = less kitchen labor.

✔ Opt for a stationary appetizer spread

Less staffing than passed appetizers.

✔ Use local, seasonal ingredients

Especially affordable with Kentucky farms and regional produce.

✔ Consider lunch or brunch weddings

Lower pricing plus fresh, fun menu ideas.

Quick Reference Chart: Cost to Feed 50 People

Final Takeaway: What Does It Cost to Feed 50 Wedding Guests?

A realistic average budget for feeding 50 guests at a wedding is:

$2,500–$6,000 for most couples
$6,500–$9,500+ for luxury or gourmet meals

Your exact number depends on whether you want a simple buffet, a family-style dinner, a plated gourmet meal, or an all-inclusive catering package with bar, staff, and rentals.

If you’re planning a Kentucky or Louisville KY wedding, a full-service caterer like Michaelis Events can often bundle:

• Food

• Bar

• Setup

• Staffing

• Rentals

…making catering for a 50-guest wedding easier, predictable, and beautifully executed.