What is the average wedding catering cost?

If you’re staring at your guest list wondering, “How much is the average wedding catering cost per person?” you’re not alone. Food, bar, and service are usually one of the largest line items in your wedding budget…often 20–30% of the total wedding cost. (Per Joy)

In 2025, most U.S. couples are spending:

• $33,000–$36,000 total on their wedding, on average (The Knot Worldwide+1)

• $6,500–$7,000 on catering alone, not including the facility fee charges from venue (zola.com+1)

• Around $70–$85 per person for food and drinks combined. (Best Food Trucks+2Joy+2)

So if you’re planning a 100-person wedding, a realistic wedding catering budget in the United States is often $7,000–$10,000 once you factor in food, bar, staff, tax, and service. (Joy+1)

2025 National Averages for: “How Much Is Catering For A Wedding?”

Let’s start with the big picture. Recent industry reports show:

• Average wedding catering cost (U.S. weddings): about $6,927 per wedding (zola.com)

• Average catering per person cost: about $80 per person (food + drinks) (Joy)

• Typical range: $70 per person for food alone and $85+ per person if you include beverages. (Best Food Trucks+1)

• Total average catering cost range for 100 guests: roughly $8,500–$10,000 (Joy)

Most caterers report that wedding catering costs can run anywhere from $10 to $200 per person, but the majority of couples fall between $60–$100 per person, depending on the menu, style of service, and bar choices. (CANAPES USA+1)

So if you’re searching for “catering near me”, “wedding caterers near me”, or “best wedding catering company”, those are the ballpark numbers you’ll see in your quotes…whether you’re looking at buffet catering, plated dinners, gourmet menus, or all-inclusive packages.

Louisville, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio Areas: Average Wedding Catering Cost Per Person

Location matters…a lot. Coastal cities and high-cost states can blow past the national average, while more rural states tend to be lower.

In Louisville KY, Indiana, and Ohio areas:

• Average Louisville, KY and surrounding areas wedding cost (2023): about $20,000, and trending up with inflation. (WHAS11)

• Average wedding cost in Louisville KY and surrounding areas: often $35,000–$43,000 total, with an average of about $314 per guest. (The Wedding Report)

• Local Louisville data shows catering commonly ranges from $30–$80+ per guest, depending on menu and service. (314exchange.com+1)

That means for a Louisville KY wedding catering budget:

• Budget / simple buffet: $35–$50 per person

• Mid-range buffet or family-style: $50–$75 per person

• Gourmet plated or all-inclusive packages with bar: $75–$110+ per person

So, for 100 guests in Louisville, a realistic catering + bar budget is often in the $5,000–$11,000 range depending on whether you choose buffet vs plated, beer and wine vs full bar, and simple vs gourmet menus….especially with a full-service caterer like Michaelis Events.

Check out our “Recommended Average Catering Wedding Spend” budget breakdown to get a better idea.

What Actually Drives Average Wedding Catering Costs Per Person?

Why do some quotes come in at $45 per person and others at $120 per person? Here’s what changes your wedding catering costs.

1. Catering Service Style: Buffet vs Plated vs Cocktail

Different catering services have different labor, equipment, and food costs:

• Buffet catering / self-serve buffet

  • Usually one of the more affordable options per person

  • Great for southern food buffets, Italian buffets, Mexican food buffets, BBQ, or simple hot menu ideas

  • Expect something like $40–$80 per person for a full buffet (hot, cold sides, salads). (Urban Cowboy Food+1)

• Family-style service

  • Feels like a restaurant meal brought to your table

  • Slightly more expensive than buffet because of extra staffing and plating

  • Common for Italian, German, or southern comfort menus and “shared platter” finger food ideas

• Plated catering / restaurant-style dinners

  • Often the most expensive option

  • Think gourmet catered dinners, multi-course menus, and more staff

  • A 3-course plated meal can easily run $100–$120+ per person before tax and service in many metro areas. (Urban Cowboy Food+1)

• Cocktail-style receptions

  • Heavy appetizers and hors d’oeuvres instead of a full dinner

  • Great for small weddings, intimate at-home parties, loft venues, or bridal shower-style receptions

  • Depending on how “heavy” the finger foods, deli platters, hot appetizers, cold appetizers, and dessert stations are, you may or may not save compared to a simple buffet.

If you’re searching “buffet catering near me”, “plated dinner catering near me”, or “simple wedding catering ideas”….deciding this piece first helps your caterer build the right menu, staffing, and pricing package.

2. Catering Menu & Cuisine Choices

The type of food you want dramatically affects your per-person price.

Popular wedding catering menu styles include:

• Classic American & Southern food: fried chicken, carved meats, mac and cheese, biscuits, BBQ, sliders, hot and cold sides

• Italian catering: pasta bars, lasagna, chicken entrees, antipasto, family-style platters

• Mexican and Tex-Mex catering: taco bars, fajitas, nacho stations, salsa bars

• Asian & Japanese / Chinese catering: stir-fries, sushi stations, noodle bars, dumplings

• German, European, or specialty cuisines: sausages, schnitzel, spaetzle, imported ingredients

• Bakery & dessert catering: dessert tables, mini pastries, doughnut walls, cake and cupcake spreads

• Deli platters & sandwich boards: often a cheap / affordable option for bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, small home parties, or drop-off lunches

Menus that feature premium proteins (steak, seafood), gourmet ingredients, or extensive customization will sit on the higher end of the range. Simple “home-style” comfort food, easy buffet menus, or a limited set of options will keep your catering prices more affordable.

When you see caterers advertise:

“Italian buffet menu, Mexican food menu, Chinese food catering near me, German catering company, hot and cold deli platters”

…those are all clues to the style and price bracket you’re stepping into.

3. Event and Wedding Bar Services (Huge Budget Factor!)

Many “all-inclusive” wedding packages blend food + bar together. Food might be $60 per guest, but once you add:

• Open bar (beer, wine, cocktails)

• Bartenders, bar setups, mixers, garnishes

• Champagne toast

• Specialty cocktail stations

…your per-guest total can easily climb by $15–$40 per person, depending on whether you choose beer & wine only vs full open bar. (Joy+1)

If you’re comparing “bar services near me”, look closely for:

• Is bar included in the caterer’s package or billed separately?

• Are you paying per person, per drink, or by total bar tab + gratuity?

• Are non-alcoholic beverages included for kids and non-drinkers?

4. Party and Wedding Rentals, Staffing, and “Hidden” Line Items

Your wedding meal is more than just food. Full-service catering companies also budget for:

• Kitchen staff, servers, bartenders, and captains

• Delivery, setup, and tear-down

• Linens, china, glassware, flatware (or disposable but elegant “to-go” style plates and cups)

• Buffet equipment, chafers, carving stations, food warmers

• Taxes, service fees, and gratuities

Some couples save money by doing drop-off catering or delivery only, especially for bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, or small at-home weddings, where the food arrives hot and ready but without full staff.

When comparing “catering near me with delivery” vs “full-service catered reception with staff”, ask for your quote to clearly separate:

• Food cost

• Staffing

• Rentals

• Bar services

Sample Wedding Catering Budgets: Average Cost per Head for Wedding Catering

(For People Who Search “How Much is Catering for A Wedding?”)

Here are example ranges using current national and Kentucky trends. Your exact proposal will depend on your local caterer or restaurant, but these are realistic targets.

Small Wedding Catering Budget (25–50 Guests)

Perfect for micro-weddings, small home weddings, or private dinners.

• Drop-off buffet or family-style food only:

  • $35–$60 per guest

  • Total: $875–$3,000

• Full-service buffet with appetizers + dessert + simple bar:

  • $60–$90 per guest

  • Total: $1,500–$4,500

Great for:

• Backyard weddings “at home”

• Small Louisville KY venues

• Bridal shower luncheons or rehearsal dinners

• Couples wanting simple, affordable but good food with a few hot and cold appetizers and maybe a dessert bar or bakery add-on.

Mid-Range Wedding Catering Budget (75–125 Guests)

This is the most common size and where the national averages live.

• Buffet with appetizers + non-alcoholic drinks:

  • $50–$80 per guest

  • Total: $3,750–$10,000

• Buffet or family-style + beer & wine bar:

  • $65–$95 per guest

  • Total: $4,875–$11,875

• Plated dinner + cocktail hour + open bar:

  • $90–$130+ per guest

  • Total: $6,750–$16,250

Couples in this category often search for:

“Best wedding catering near me”, “top rated caterers Louisville KY”, “Italian buffet catering Louisville”, “Mexican catering Louisville KY”, “affordable wedding catering packages near me”

…and are comparing local catering menus, all-inclusive packages, and bar service options.

Large Wedding Catering Budget (150–250+ Guests)

For bigger guest counts, your per-person rate may go slightly down, but your total cost rises.

• Buffet + apps + standard bar (beer & wine):

  • $60–$90 per guest

  • Total: $9,000–$22,500

• Plated or gourmet family-style + full bar:

  • $90–$140+ per guest

  • Total: $13,500–$35,000+

At this level, working with a seasoned wedding caterer or all-inclusive company is crucial to manage staffing, rentals, and logistics.

Check out our catering budget guide to help create your ideal budget….

How to Set a Smart Wedding Catering Budget (Without Guessing)

Use this simple formula as a starting point:

Wedding Budget × 25% = Catering + Bar Target

Example:
If your total wedding budget is $30,000, aim for around $7,500 for catering and bar. If your quotes are wildly above that, adjust:

• Guest count (most powerful lever)

• Menu style (buffet vs plated)

• Level of bar service

• Extras like late-night snacks, dessert bars, or specialty stations

Keyword-Rich FAQ: Real Questions Couples Search

How much does the average wedding catering cost in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio areas?

For Kentucky weddings (especially Louisville KY), expect:

• Budget buffet / simple menu: $35–$50 per guest

• Mid-range buffet or family-style: $50–$75 per guest

• Gourmet plated or all-inclusive with bar: $75–$110+ per guest (314exchange.com+2weddingconnect.ca+2)

This includes food, basic bar, delivery, and service fees for most couples.

Is buffet cheaper than plated?

Usually, yes. A buffet wedding menu often requires:

• Less staff per guest

• Simpler plating

• More flexible portions

If you’re trying to keep things cheap or affordable while still having good hot food, a buffet with some fun appetizer ideas and a simple dessert is often the best bang for your buck.

Can I save money with “to-go”, drop-off, or “home” catering?

Absolutely. Searching phrases like:

• “Catering to go near me”

• “Drop off wedding catering”

• “Cold deli platters near me”

• “Finger food catering near me”

…will lead you to restaurants and catering companies that deliver hot or cold food only, without full staff. That can be perfect for:

• Bridal showers

• Rehearsal dinners

• Small at-home weddings or cocktail parties

• Post-wedding brunches

Just remember: you may need to handle setup, serving, and cleanup yourself or with family and friends.

What about specialty cuisines (Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, German, etc.)?

Many couples now mix in global flavors:

• Chinese & Japanese caterers for sushi, dumplings, noodle bars

• Mexican caterers for taco bars, fajitas, margarita stations

• German or European caterers for sausages, schnitzel, and hearty platters

You can often find these by searching “[cuisine] caterer near me” or “[cuisine] restaurant catering near me”. Pricing varies, but expect similar per-person ranges, with potential up-charges for specialty ingredients or chef-attended stations.

What’s included in an “full-service” catering package?

“All-inclusive” can mean different things with different companies, but often includes:

• Appetizers + main buffet or plated dinner

• Non-alcoholic beverages (sometimes bar)

• Staffing and basic rentals

• Sometimes cake cutting, dessert, and late-night snacks

Working with a full-service company like Michaelis Events in Louisville KY often means your planning, catering, bar, and service are bundled into one cohesive, easy-to-manage package instead of juggling multiple vendors.

When to Talk to a Wedding Caterer (Hint: Sooner Than You Think)

Once you:

1. Know your approximate guest count,

2. Have a target budget, and

3. Understand whether you want buffet, plated, or cocktail-style service,

it’s time to reach out to local caterers and catering companies near you for customized quotes.

If you’re in or around Louisville KY or Kentucky, this is the perfect time to:

• Ask about local, seasonal menus

• Compare buffet vs plated catering prices

• Talk through bar service options (beer & wine vs full bar)

• See if there are all-inclusive packages that blend venue, catering, bar, and staffing under one roof

Final Takeaway: A Quick Cheat Sheet

• National average catering spend (2025): around $6,500–$7,000 per wedding (zola.com+1)

• Average per-guest cost (food + drinks): $70–$85+

• Typical catering share of total budget: 20–30% (Joy+1)

• Kentucky / Louisville KY buffet or plated catering: usually $35–$110+ per guest depending on style and bar. (314exchange.com+1)

Set your total wedding budget, allocate about one-quarter to catering & bar, and then work with a trusted local caterer (like Michaelis Events) to design a menu, service style, and package that fits your guest count, style, and price point, whether you want simple, small, cheap and cheerful, or top-rated gourmet plated dinners with full bar and all the extras.

View Popular Wedding Menus!