Catering : How much are you paying

Wendy, we're looking at the Garrison. The price includes a lot, but it's still expensive. But it's worth it for the view!

$65 a person, full bar, crab cake dinner, cocktail hour, cheese trays, desert buffet. But we didn't pay a rental for the ballroom since we are members. 180 people total.

Shana, that is my first choice. I love the view! I live in Florida and haven't seen it in person yet. Have you tasted the food yet?

$22.19 per person for unlimited amount to eat. chicken and tips.

It varies so much by region. New York and DC brides, I feel your pain. I couldn't find anything for under $100/person, and I ended up with $125. It does include open bar, and the food looks amazing, but I wish I lived somewhere cheaper.

WOW I wish I was paying what all of your are paying! Our is about $135pp(that was one of the lowest prices in my area!)- we are having about 185 people. This does include a LOT- venue, 6 hour premium open bar, an awesome cocktail hour(seafood bar, 3 hot stations, meat station, 10 passed hors d'oeuvres, ice luge martini bar, etc), sit down 3-course dinner(filet mignon, chillean sea bass), cake, dessert room(venetian table, chocolate fountains, bananas foster, etc). I just hope my FH and I get a chance to eat some of it!

We're having informal picnic-type food -- gourmet finger sandwiches with turkey, ham and roast beef, veggies, fruit, crackers, cheeses and dips plus two side dishes (haven't decided yet, but probably tortellini or quiche) -- for $8/person. Coffee is $20, tea is $20, sodas are $20 (not having soda) so the total for 130 people comes out to about $1080. This service is provided by our chapel along with table linens, chairs, tables, etc etc.

$45 per person for a multi course sit down family style dinner including sea bass, chicken, prawns. Bring our own hard liquor is approx. $2 per person. We didn't have a lot of drinkers. We went to the suburbs for abundant, fancier food with better pricing. no passed hors d'oeuvres or champagne.

Could not be happier about the deal I am getting on Catering. We’re in So Cal and are doing a backyard reception in OCT 2010. A friend of mine was able to get me this amazing deal from a great Cater in the LA Area. We are having MUSTACHOLLI WITH MEATLESS MARINARA SAUCE, BAKED LASAGNA WITH MEAT SAUCE, MEATBALLS, SAUSAGE WITH BELLPEPPERS, HOT VEGGIES WITH BUTTER, GREEN SALAD WITH SIDES OF ITALIAN DRESSING AND RANCH DRESSING and ROLLS & BUTTER. He is also including two starters (FRUIT & CUBED CHEESE PLATTER). The price an amazing $10 per person with $50 Delivery. Did I mention he is also providing the chafing dishes.

Many caterers won't offer the child price on the menu simply because some weddings don't have children at all and they want to make sure people are being honest about it, because they don't want to run out of food and then they look bad.

It's funny how some clients will think they are pulling one over on you, and then expect you to pull a rabbit out of the hat when they have more guests than they told you.

We don't charge fro children under 5 and charge half price for children 5-10yrs.

Eleven and over can often eat an adult under the table, so those are regular price. It never hurts to ask, especially when there are a significant number of children.

One of my biggest pet peeves is Caterers that limit you on drink choices when lemonade or punch doesn't cost them anymore. Years before I got into the catering business, I went to my sisters wedding in Nebraska. There were about 100 of us family, from out of state but just a hand full of people in the family drink. It was July, HOT, and we were all dying by the time we got to the reception, the 2 pitchers of punch were gone in no time, and everyone else was getting drinks at the bar to their hearts delight. When I asked for more punch, the lady at the venue said she would have to ask the Bride (my sister), because obviously they were going to add it to the bill. ARE YOU SERIOUS! I thought to myself? It would have costed $20 tops for punch for 100 people, for the whole evening. Ridiculous! Many times it can totally depend on the area you live though. Very few people in Utah drink ice tea. But in the winter we offer hot cocoa instead of lemonade, or a sparkling cider or wassail

We're gonna be about $109/head, but that covers the venue, catering, open bar, a choice of entrees, circulating waiters with appetizers, cake cutting, and the centerpieces for the tables. I love my venue. So much taken care of by them instead of me!

And kids are less expensive... which is great since we have a lot of kids in my family!