DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How much does wedding catering cost per head in the UK?
Catering is priced per head, which sounds simple until you multiply it by a full guest list and watch it catch up with the venue hire. The style of food, the number of courses and how it is served all pull the per-person figure up or down, and a lot of couples only spot the extras (drinks, evening food, staff) once the quote lands. Here is what couples actually pay, using the real prices on this page, and how to keep the total sensible.
The quick version
- Catering is quoted per guest, so every extra name on the list adds up fast, and it is one of the largest single lines in the whole wedding budget
- Service style matters, since a plated three-course meal usually costs more than a buffet, sharing boards or a food van
- Drinks, canapes and evening food are often separate lines, not part of the main per-head price, so a quote that looks low may not be the full picture
- Some venues insist you use their in-house caterer at their rates, others let you bring your own and shop around
- Children and supplier meals are usually charged at a lower rate, so always ask rather than assume the full price applies
- Getting quotes from several caterers only works if they are pricing the same courses, staff and equipment hire, otherwise you are not comparing like for like
What people actually paid
Where these 10 prices come from — 4 named sources
Each is a published price list, an official survey, or a receipt/quote a reader shared. The full per-price list with year and area is on the catering (per head) page.
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 103% more than the advertised list price for catering (per head).
List prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases and from a small sample so far. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
Real prices, in people's own words
- £26“pub so paid more or less their menu prices (£18 a head) plus £8 a head for evening food”
- £65“£55 per head for a sit down 3 course meal then £10 per head for the evening food”
- £100“post-ceremony canapes, a three course meal served family style, plus help-yourself food in the evening for £100 a head”
- £113“Average external catering (with free choices) cost per head - GBP 112.50”
- £114“Average in-house catering cost per head - GBP 114.45”
- £117“Average overall cost per head - GBP 117.10”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
The per-head figure depends on the food itself, the service style, and who is actually doing the work on the day. Canapes, a three-course sit-down meal and a full waiting team cost far more than a hog roast or a buffet you help yourself to, because you are paying for skilled labour and timing as much as the ingredients. Guest numbers cut both ways: some caterers offer better rates for larger groups because fixed costs like kit hire and travel spread further, while premium venues set a minimum spend that can push a small wedding's per-head cost up sharply. Who owns the caterer matters too. An in-house team tied to the venue has less incentive to compete on price than an independent caterer you have chosen yourself, and exclusive-use venues can charge accordingly. Location plays its part, with London and the South East charging more than most of the rest of the country, reflecting higher staff and premises costs. Drinks packages can quietly double the bill if you are not watching, since a welcome drink, wine with the meal and a toast are easy to underestimate when you are focused on the food.
How to pay less
- Choose a relaxed service style like a buffet, sharing plates or a food van over a formal plated meal, since fewer staff and simpler portioning both bring the per-head cost down
- Trim the courses. A starter or dessert dropped across a big guest list saves a surprising amount once you multiply it out
- Ask about seasonal menus, because in-season British produce is cheaper to buy and often tastes better than something flown in out of season
- Serve a lighter evening option like a bacon roll or pizza rather than laying on a second full spread late in the night
- Check corkage carefully if you want to supply your own wine, and weigh it against the venue's drinks package rather than assuming it is automatically cheaper
- Get quotes from a few caterers for the exact same brief (same courses, same staff numbers, same hire items) so you are comparing real like-for-like prices, not just headline figures
Common questions
Is a buffet cheaper than a sit-down meal?
Usually, yes. Buffets and sharing plates need fewer staff and less precise portioning than a formal plated service, so the per-head rate tends to be lower. Food vans and hog roasts can be cheaper still, partly because they need less equipment and fewer waiting staff on the day.
Are drinks included in the catering price?
Often not. Welcome drinks, wine with the meal and a toast are frequently separate lines or a drinks package rather than baked into the per-head food price. Always check whether your quote covers any alcohol at all before you compare it against another caterer's number.
Can I bring my own caterer?
It depends on the venue. Dry-hire venues usually welcome outside caterers and let you shop around freely, while package and exclusive venues often require their own in-house team or an approved supplier list, which limits how much you can negotiate on price.
Do children cost the same per head?
Normally no. Most caterers offer a reduced children's rate and a smaller portion, and many also do a lower-cost supplier meal for your photographer, band and other vendors working the day. Always ask for these rates separately rather than assuming the full adult price applies across the board.
What is the biggest hidden extra in a catering quote?
Evening food and drinks packages catch people out most often, because the headline per-head price usually covers the main meal only. A second spread later in the night, plus a welcome drink and wine with the meal, can add a meaningful amount once you multiply across the full guest list, so ask for a total that includes everything you actually plan to serve.
Does the number of guests change the per-head price?
It can, in both directions. Larger guest lists sometimes get a better per-head rate because fixed costs like kit hire and staff travel are spread across more people, but venues with a minimum spend can make a small wedding's per-head cost look much higher, since you are effectively paying for capacity you are not using.