Wedding Catering Cost Per Head UK: 2026

Catering is the second biggest wedding expense after the venue — and the one most likely to surprise you with hidden costs. The per-head price on a caterer’s brochure rarely includes everything. Staffing, equipment, drinks, evening food, and dietary extras push the real number significantly higher.

This guide gives you the honest numbers for 2026.

Average catering costs per head

Service	Price Per Head	What’s Included
Canapes (1 hour)	£8-18	6-8 pieces per person
Three-course plated meal	£60-120	Starter, main, dessert, tea/coffee
Buffet	£40-80	Shared dishes, usually 3-4 options
BBQ	£25-50	Grilled mains, salads, sides
Street food (per truck)	£15-30 per course	One cuisine per truck
Afternoon tea	£20-40	Sandwiches, scones, cakes
Bowl food / sharing platters	£35-60	Casual, standing or seated
Evening food (bacon rolls, pizza, etc.)	£8-20	Served 9-10pm typically

Total catering spend per guest

The per-head price for the main meal is only part of the picture. Here’s what the full catering spend looks like:

Element	Cost Per Head
Canapes at drinks reception	£8-18
Three-course wedding breakfast	£60-120
Evening food	£8-20
Waiting staff (if billed separately)	£5-15
Equipment hire (crockery, linens)	£3-8
Total food per head	£84-181
Drinks (reception, wine, toast)	£20-50
Total including drinks	£104-231

For a wedding with 80 day guests, that’s a total catering bill of £8,300-18,500.

Cost by service style

Plated service (£60-120 per head)

The most formal option. Each guest receives individually plated courses served by waiting staff. More expensive because it requires more kitchen staff, precise portion control, and a higher staff-to-guest ratio (1 server per 10-12 guests).

Buffet (£40-80 per head)

Guests serve themselves from a shared spread. Cheaper per head, but you need to order 20-30% more food because guests take larger portions when self-serving. Best for relaxed weddings with 60+ guests.

Family-style sharing (£50-90 per head)

Large platters placed on each table for guests to share. Feels generous and communal. Cost sits between buffet and plated. Works well for rustic and barn weddings.

BBQ (£25-50 per head)

Ideal for summer outdoor weddings. Casual atmosphere, good value, and most guests love it. Limited in bad weather unless you have covered space.

Street food (£15-30 per course per truck)

Multiple food trucks offering different cuisines. Budget-friendly and fun — but you’ll need 2-3 trucks for a full meal, so the per-head cost adds up to £30-90 when you factor in multiple courses.

Afternoon tea (£20-40 per head)

The cheapest formal option. Works beautifully for smaller, daytime weddings. Typically includes finger sandwiches, scones with cream, pastries, and tea. Add prosecco for £5-10 per head.

Cost by region

Region	Average Per Head (3-course plated)
London	£90-150
South East	£80-130
South West	£70-110
East of England	£65-110
Midlands	£55-95
North West	£55-95
North East	£50-85
Yorkshire	£55-90
Scotland	£55-95
Wales	£50-85
Northern Ireland	£45-80

London prices are 25-40% above the national average. Moving your wedding 30 miles outside the M25 can save thousands on catering alone.

Hidden costs to watch for

Staffing. Some caterers include all staff in the per-head price. Others bill waiting staff, bar staff, and kitchen porters separately at £15-25 per person per hour. For a 10-hour day with 8 staff, that’s an extra £1,200-2,000.

Equipment hire. At dry hire venues, you may need to rent crockery, cutlery, glassware, table linens, and serving equipment. Budget £3-8 per head, or £500-1,000 for 100 guests.

Supplier meals. You’ll need to feed your photographer, videographer, band/DJ, and coordinator. Most caterers offer reduced supplier meals at £15-25 per head. Budget for 4-6 supplier meals.

Cake cutting fee. Some venues and caterers charge £1-3 per slice to cut and serve your wedding cake as dessert. On 100 slices, that’s an unexpected £100-300.

Travel and fuel surcharges. External caterers travelling more than 30 miles may add a delivery/travel charge of £50-200.

VAT. Check whether quoted prices include or exclude VAT. A quote of £80 per head plus VAT is actually £96.

Service charge. Some caterers add an automatic 10-12.5% service charge. This can add £800-1,500 to a £10,000 catering bill.

How to reduce catering costs

Choose a buffet or BBQ over plated service. You’ll save 20-40% per head.

Reduce canape variety. Six types of canape cost more to prepare than three. Guests don’t notice the difference — they just want something to eat during the drinks reception.

Serve your wedding cake as dessert. This eliminates one course from the sit-down meal, saving £5-15 per head.

Provide your own drinks. If the caterer or venue allows it, buying wine, beer, and prosecco from a wholesaler and paying corkage is almost always cheaper than a drinks package.

Cut evening food costs. Instead of a full evening spread, offer 2-3 simple options: bacon rolls, pizza slices, or chip cones. Guests don’t expect a second full meal.

Ask about off-peak rates. Some caterers offer 10-15% discounts for midweek or winter weddings.

Questions to ask your caterer about pricing

Before signing any contract, get clear answers to these:

1. Is the per-head price fully inclusive, or are staff, equipment, and VAT extra?
2. What’s the minimum guest count, and is there a minimum spend?
3. When is the final numbers deadline, and can I reduce numbers without penalty?
4. Are children charged at full price or a reduced rate?
5. What’s included in the supplier meal?

For a full list, read our questions to ask your wedding caterer guide.

Browse wedding caterers on Weddings Hub to compare prices in your area.