What Is a Good Budget for Wedding Catering for 100 Guests?

Because food and bar service are typically one of the largest wedding expenses, setting a realistic budget for wedding catering for 100 guests early can save a lot of stress later. Whether you’re planning a buffet, plated dinner, gourmet meal, cocktail-style reception, or an all-inclusive package, your guest count will drive nearly every catering decision.

This is a complete 2025 guide to the budget for wedding catering for 100 guests, featuring real industry averages, cuisine comparisons, service-style pricing, and sample cost breakdowns to help you plan with confidence.

2025 Average Budget For Wedding Catering 100 Guests

Across the United States, couples typically spend:

• $70–$85+ per guest for food + drinks

• $6,500–$10,000+ total for 100 guests

• $7,500–$12,500+ if the package includes appetizers + bar service + staffing

A good, realistic catering budget for 100 guests falls into three tiers:

Budget Catering (simple, affordable):

$3,500–$6,000 total
— great for buffets, delivery/drop-off catering, easy menus, deli platters, finger foods, or restaurant-style catering.

Mid-Range Catering (most common):

$6,500–$10,000 total
— full buffet or family-style meal, appetizers, non-alcoholic drinks, standard bar.

High-End Catering (gourmet/plated):

$10,000–$16,000+ total
— plated or multi-course dinner, premium proteins, open bar, staffed service, and full rentals.

If you’re searching “catering near me,” “wedding caterers Louisville KY,” “best catering company,” or “Italian/Mexican/southern food wedding menus,” these are the ranges you’ll typically see.

Why Catering Prices for 100 People Costs What It Costs

Wedding catering pricing is shaped by four major factors:

1. Service Style (Buffet vs. Plated vs. Cocktail)

Your chosen service style has the biggest impact on your budget.

Buffet Catering (most affordable)

$35–$70 per guest

• Fewer staff needed

• Easy hot + cold menu options

• Great for southern comfort food, Italian buffets, Mexican bars, BBQ, and simple dinner menus

• Best choice when you want affordable but good food at a reasonable price

Family-Style Catering

$55–$85 per guest

• Upscale feel without the full staffing cost of plated

• Perfect for Italian, German, seasonal, or farm-to-table menus

Plated Dinner (premium option)

$80–$120+ per guest

• Higher staffing + kitchen labor

• Exact portion control

• Great for gourmet, chef-driven menus

• Often seen in luxury venues or all-inclusive wedding packages

Cocktail-Only Catering (heavy appetizers)

$45–$95 per guest

• Can be more or less expensive depending on the number of passed appetizers

• Great for small weddings, simple receptions, cocktail parties, or home weddings

2. Menu Type (Cuisine Selection)

Cuisine style also impacts price per guest.

More Affordable Cuisines

• Italian catering (pasta bars, baked entrees)

• Mexican/Tex-Mex (taco bars, fajitas)

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

• Chinese or Japanese buffet-style menus

• Deli platters or sandwich boards

• Simple “hot and cold” buffet menus

These often land in the $35–$60 per guest range for 100 people.

Higher-End Cuisines

• Steak/Seafood entrees

• Gourmet plated meals

• German or specialty European dishes

• Fusion menus

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

These typically run $75–$120+ per guest for 100 guests.

3. Bar Service (Huge budget decider)

If your caterer or company includes bar services:

• Beer & Wine Only: +$12–$20 per guest

• Standard Full Bar: +$20–$35 per guest

• Premium Open Bar: +$35–$55 per guest

For 100 guests, even a small upgrade can add $1,000–$3,000 instantly.

4. Staffing, Rentals & Extras

A full-service catering company (like Michaelis Events in Louisville KY) will also include:

• Servers

• Bartenders

• Kitchen staff

• Buffet attendants

• Setup + teardown

• Delivery & transportation

• Linens, plates, dinnerware, glassware

• Food warmers, chafers, bar equipment

These components typically add 20–25% on top of the food total or are already built into all-inclusive packages.

Drop-off catering (no staff) saves 30–50%, but is recommended only for smaller weddings, simple receptions, or home-based events.

Sample Budget for Wedding Catering for 100 Guests for Couples Looking For….

“Wedding Catering On A Budget”

Below is a realistic breakdown for a typical wedding.

You can plug it directly into planning tools, venue worksheets, or a Michaelis Events proposal comparison.

Budget Option: $4,000–$6,000 (Simple but delicious)

Perfect for: buffet, comfort food, Mexican buffet, Italian catering, BBQ, drop-off

• Food: $3,000–$4,000

• Drinks (non-alcoholic): $150–$300

• Staffing (if needed): $500–$1,200

• Delivery: $100–$300

• Tax + service: $300–$700

Total: $4,000–$6,000

This is ideal for couples searching “cheap wedding catering near me,” “affordable catering,” or “simple wedding menu ideas.”

Mid-Range Option: $6,500–$10,000 (Most popular)

Perfect for: buffet or family-style with appetizers & bar

• Buffet / family-style meal: $5,000–$6,500

• Appetizers (hot + cold): $800–$1,600

• Bar (beer + wine): $1,800–$2,800

• Staffing + rentals: $1,000–$2,000

• Tax + service: $500–$900

Total: $6,500–$10,000

This is the most common range for couples who want good food, variety, appetizers, and a “real reception meal” without going luxury.

High-End Option: $10,000–$16,000+ (Luxury or gourmet)

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

• Plated dinner with premium proteins: $7,000–$11,000

• Passed appetizers: $1,200–$2,000

• Premium open bar: $2,500–$4,000

• Staffing + rentals: $1,500–$2,500

• Taxes + service: $800–$1,300

Total: $10,000–$16,000+

Ideal for couples wanting a restaurant-quality meal, elegant service, cocktail hour displays, and a premium open bar.

Louisville KY & Kentucky Average Cost of Catering for 100 Guests

If you’re getting married in Louisville KY, Lexington, or anywhere in Kentucky:

• Buffet catering: $35–$55 per guest

• Family-style: $50–$75 per guest

• Plated dinners: $75–$110+ per guest

• Bar packages: +$12–$45 per guest

Most couples budgeting for 100 guests in Kentucky spend:

$5,500–$11,000 catering + bar: budget for wedding catering 100 guests

depending on service style and menu.

Full-service companies like Michaelis Events often bundle:

• Catering

• Bar

• Staffing

• Setup/teardown

• Rentals

• Planning support

• Event Styling & Decoration Services

• Optional florals and décor

…which can actually lower total cost compared to booking five separate vendors.

Ways to Save on Catering for 100 People

If you want quality food but a smart budget, here are the best strategies:

✔ Choose a buffet over plated

Saves $1,000–$3,000+ on staffing alone.

✔ Limit entrees to 2 options instead of 3

Reduces kitchen labor + ingredient cost.

✔ Beer & wine bar instead of full open bar

Saves $1,500–$3,000 for 100 guests.

✔ Use seasonal or local menu items

Especially effective in Kentucky’s farm-to-table market.

✔ Skip passed appetizers; choose stationary displays

A beautiful grazing table or Italian antipasto can serve more people for less.

✔ Consider a weeknight or off-season date

Many caterers and venues offer lower minimums.

Quick Chart: Budget For Wedding Catering 100 guests

Final Takeaway: How much is catering for 100 people cost?

A great rule of thumb is:

Plan for $65–$110 per guest for a traditional wedding with catering + bar.

Which means:

$6,500–$11,000 is a strong, realistic, healthy catering budget for 100 guests in the United States.

If you’re in Kentucky or Louisville KY, your pricing may lean slightly lower, especially when working with a full-service caterer or all-inclusive company like Michaelis Events that handles menus, bar, staffing, rentals, and service in one seamless package.

Check Out More Budget Tools:

Wedding Catering Budget for 50 Guests

What Is a Realistic Budget For A 100 Person Wedding?