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Street Food Wedding Catering: UK Guide
Key Takeaways
- Street food trucks charge £15-30 per person per course, with minimum spends of £500-1,500
- You'll need 2-3 trucks for a complete meal — one truck covers one cuisine only
- Check your venue's power supply, access width, and ground surface before booking any truck
- Street food works best as evening food or the main meal at outdoor and festival-style weddings
- Book 9-12 months ahead for summer Saturdays — popular trucks sell out fast
Street food at weddings has gone from novelty to mainstream. Wood-fired pizza ovens, taco trucks, Thai street food, fish and chips, loaded fries — the options are as varied as the food scene itself.
The appeal is obvious: it’s cheaper than a sit-down meal, it’s memorable, and it creates a festival atmosphere that encourages guests to mingle. But it also comes with logistics that a traditional caterer handles invisibly. This guide covers both.
How it works
You hire one or more food trucks, vans, or pop-up stalls to serve food directly to your guests. Each truck specialises in one cuisine and typically offers 3-5 menu items.
Trucks arrive 1-2 hours before service, set up in a designated area, cook fresh food to order, and leave once service and cleanup are done. Most are fully self-contained — they bring their own power, water, and waste disposal.
Costs
| Setup | Cost Per Head | Minimum Spend |
|---|---|---|
| 1 truck (evening food) | £10-20 | £500-1,000 |
| 1 truck (main meal) | £15-30 | £800-1,500 |
| 2 trucks (main meal with choice) | £25-50 | £1,200-2,500 |
| 3 trucks (full multi-course) | £35-70 | £2,000-4,000 |
What’s included: The truck, chef/staff, all cooking equipment, basic serving ware (bowls, napkins, cutlery), setup and cleanup.
What’s usually extra: Crockery upgrades (from disposable to ceramic), branded signage, custom menus, extended hours.
Popular food truck types
Pizza (£12-25 per head)
The most popular wedding food truck. Wood-fired pizza ovens produce restaurant-quality pizzas in 90 seconds. Guests watch the process, which adds to the entertainment.
Typical menu: Margherita, pepperoni, veggie, vegan option. Most trucks offer 4-6 varieties. Capacity: 60-80 pizzas per hour (serves 60-80 guests). Best for: Evening food, outdoor receptions, casual weddings.
Tacos and Mexican (£15-25 per head)
Colourful, customisable, and naturally gluten-free (corn tortillas). Guests build their own tacos from a selection of fillings.
Typical menu: Pulled pork, chicken tinga, battered fish, jackfruit (vegan), with salsa, guacamole, slaw, and pickled onion. Capacity: 80-120 per hour. Best for: Main meal, evening food, summer weddings.
Fish and chips (£12-20 per head)
A British classic. Works universally across all ages and tastes. Often served in paper cones for a nostalgic touch.
Typical menu: Battered cod/haddock, chips, mushy peas, tartare sauce, curry sauce. Capacity: 60-100 per hour. Best for: Evening food, British-themed weddings, coastal venues.
Thai / Asian (£15-25 per head)
Fragrant, fresh, and full of flavour. Many dishes are naturally gluten-free and vegan.
Typical menu: Pad thai, green curry, massaman curry, spring rolls, satay skewers. Capacity: 70-100 per hour. Best for: Main meal, evening food, adventurous guests.
BBQ / smokehouse (£15-30 per head)
Slow-smoked meats with American or British BBQ sauces. Hearty and generous.
Typical menu: Pulled pork, brisket, ribs, mac and cheese, slaw, corn. Capacity: 60-90 per hour. Best for: Main meal, summer outdoor weddings, rustic venues.
Loaded fries / nachos (£8-15 per head)
Simple, cheap, and perfect for evening food. Easy to eat standing up.
Typical menu: Loaded fries with various toppings (cheese, pulled pork, truffle), nachos with salsa and guacamole. Capacity: 100+ per hour. Best for: Evening snack, budget addition.
Crepes / desserts (£8-15 per head)
A sweet truck as a dessert course or evening treat.
Typical menu: Nutella and banana crepe, lemon and sugar, berry compote, ice cream. Best for: Dessert alternative, evening treat.
Logistics checklist
Before booking any truck, check these with your venue:
Access:
- Is the entrance wide enough for the truck? (Most need 3m+ width)
- Is there a hard standing area, or will the truck be on grass? (Heavy trucks sink in wet ground)
- Can the truck get in and out safely around guest parking?
Power:
- Does the truck need external power, or is it self-contained?
- If it needs power, can the venue provide a dedicated 13-amp or 32-amp socket?
- For field weddings, confirm the truck has its own generator
Water and waste:
- Does the truck need a water supply, or does it carry its own?
- Where will waste water and food waste go?
- Who is responsible for cleanup of the serving area?
Regulations:
- Does the truck have a Food Hygiene Rating of 5?
- Does the operator carry public liability insurance (most venues require this)?
- Does the venue allow open flames or gas cooking on-site?
Making it work at your wedding
As the main meal
Use 2-3 trucks to give guests variety. Set up a central “food village” area with seating nearby. Serve one truck at a time or let guests roam freely — both work, but managing the flow prevents long queues.
Example setup for 100 guests:
- Truck 1: Wood-fired pizza (main)
- Truck 2: Mexican tacos (main alternative)
- Truck 3: Crepes and gelato (dessert)
- Total cost: £35-60 per head
As evening food
One truck is usually enough for 70-80% of day guests who stay for the evening. Pizza and fish and chips are the most popular evening choices.
Example setup for 80 evening guests:
- Truck 1: Wood-fired pizza
- Total cost: £10-20 per head
Combined with a formal meal
Have a sit-down meal for the wedding breakfast, then bring in street food trucks for the evening party. This gives you formality where it matters and fun where it doesn’t.
How to find and book trucks
- Start early. Popular trucks for summer Saturdays book 9-12 months ahead.
- Ask for a tasting. Some operators offer tastings at their regular locations. Visit and eat before committing.
- Check reviews. Look for reviews from previous wedding clients specifically, not just market stall or festival reviews.
- Confirm the minimum spend covers your guest count comfortably.
- Get everything in writing — arrival time, service hours, menu, dietary options, power requirements, and cancellation terms.
For caterer questions: questions to ask your wedding caterer
For cost comparisons: sit-down vs buffet vs street food
Browse wedding caterers on Weddings Hub to find food trucks and street food caterers in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does street food cost for a wedding?
Street food trucks charge £15-30 per person per course. Most have a minimum spend of £500-1,500. For a complete meal with 2-3 trucks, expect £30-90 per head. A single truck for evening food costs £10-20 per head. These prices typically include the truck, chef, equipment, and basic serving ware.
How many food trucks do I need for a wedding?
One truck for evening food or a single-course offering. Two trucks for a starter and main, or two main options. Three trucks for a full meal with variety. For 100+ guests, two trucks serving the same main reduces queue times. Ask each truck about their capacity — most serve 80-120 guests per hour.
Can food trucks work at an indoor venue?
Most food trucks cannot operate indoors due to ventilation, fire safety, and gas regulations. However, many operators offer a 'pop-up' indoor version — a serving counter without the vehicle, with cooking done in the venue's kitchen or a temporary setup outside. Ask your truck operator about indoor options.
Do food trucks need electricity at the venue?
Most trucks are self-sufficient with onboard generators or gas. However, some electric-only trucks need a 13-amp or 32-amp power supply. Always confirm power requirements with the operator and check whether your venue can provide it. For field weddings, the truck's own generator is the safest option.