Catering Budget Calculator — Food & Drink Costs

Self-catered buffets cost £5-£12 per head. Catered buffets run £15-£30. Sit-down meals from caterers cost £25-£60 per head. Canapes are £8-£20 per person for 6-10 pieces. Drinks add £10-£25 per head depending on whether you include alcohol.

Self-cater with batch-cooked dishes. Choose a buffet over a sit-down meal. Limit the bar to beer, wine, and one cocktail. Buy drinks wholesale. Ask guests to bring a bottle. Serve fewer courses. Choose seasonal ingredients and avoid premium items.

For a sit-down meal with 40+ guests, you will need waiting staff (typically £12-£18 per hour each). Buffets need fewer staff. Self-catered events can manage without hired staff for under 30 guests if friends help. Allow 1 waiter per 20-25 guests for a buffet, 1 per 10-12 for table service.

Food and drink typically account for 35-45% of a total party budget. For weddings, it can be 40-50%. If your venue includes catering, this combined cost (venue + food) might be 60-70% of total spend.