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Maleah
Just Said Yes October 2023

Cost for Catering 100 Count Wedding - Is This High?

Maleah, on September 8, 2022 at 12:52 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 27

Hello! Curious if anyone has experience getting catering quotes for receptions. We're looking at a Northwest FL wedding location (Fort Walton / Destin area) and are currently getting quotes of $150+ Per Person for food alone. I just got a recent catering quote for $50-$75 PP but that still seems a bit high compared to other people I've heard only paying $20-$40 PP for wedding food - but that was before covid & inflation.

We live in Nashville and the quotes are roughly the same. Both are popular areas for weddings - but are these quotes high? Is this inflation driving the price or is it location based pricing?

I would love to hear anyone else's quotes/experiences for reception food/catering! We're planning for a 100-125 guest count wedding.

27 Comments

Latest activity by Michelle, on May 23, 2024 at 10:49 AM
  • Nichole
    Expert September 2022
    Nichole ·
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    Alot is to do with location. I got lucky and locked in covid prices when places like catering companies were hurting so for my buffet I'm paying $12.50 a person and for my kids buffet Im paying $4.50 a kid. Didnt see the point in paying the adult prices for items the kids wont touch. Our buffets will be set up separately and they come with bread and margarine 2 main course selections 2 sides 1 veggie a cheese veggie and cracker tray for cocktail hour coear plastic plates plastic silverware and napkins. They also pack up any leftovers for us. After reading what other people are paying I realize my prices are amazing.
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  • Michael
    Rockstar October 2023
    Michael ·
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    Much of this price increase is due to inflation and expected food shortages. The caterers will be the most affected group on this. These issues are a bit unpredictable and could even be pushing the limits of caterer's planned budget.

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  • Kelly
    Super October 2023
    Kelly ·
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    $50-$75 pp seems low to me. $150 pp sounds average. Like others have said though, it really depends on location and what you're having.

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  • Taylor
    VIP October 2022
    Taylor ·
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    $50-75 isn’t a bad price tbh. Is it a plated meal? Cause if so that’s pretty good. We’re paying $20 a person but it’s basically a serve yourself kind of buffet
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  • Nicole
    Savvy October 2022
    Nicole ·
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    Were paying $70 per adult for plated dinner I believe the buffet was $65-$70 so about the same. I'm pretty sure $50-$75 is average. Our child meals are $20 per kid.

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  • Sarah
    Super September 2022
    Sarah ·
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    We are paying 36.99 PP (cheaper for the kids) Which includes stuffed chicken, prime rib, brown sugar glazed carrots, garlic smashed potatoes, salad, an upgraded drink station and elegant plastic dinnerware! It also includes 3 appetizers and we are getting crab Mac & cheese cups, sweet and sour meatballs and a veggie display !
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  • Audrey
    Savvy June 2025
    Audrey ·
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    My wedding venue is charging $19.75+ per head. It also depends on if we plan on having an open bar and we are so I imaging that the price will increase to maybe $25 per head. We are also taking advantage of the in house bakery & ice sculptures.

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  • Michael
    Rockstar October 2023
    Michael ·
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    That sounds good if there is a bakery at hand... especially if open for guests as they desire.

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  • Cece
    Rockstar October 2023
    Cece ·
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    We are paying $125/person for catering in New Orleans
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  • Audrey
    Savvy June 2025
    Audrey ·
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    Thanks Michael. My fiance's name is Michael but he spells it Micheal. Lol

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  • Paige
    VIP October 2022
    Paige ·
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    Ours is about $70 pp for a 3-course plated dinner (salad, entrée, and cake). We're also doing 3 different passed hors d'oeuvres, a dessert bar, and a late night snack, but those all have different prices. I'd say $50-$75 pp sounds pretty standard. Depending on what's included in the $150 pp option, that might not be too bad either.

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  • Caitlin
    Devoted January 2023
    Caitlin ·
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    Also depends on if it includes bar. Ours is 140 pp for 3 course meal plus open bar.

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  • Sarah
    Super September 2022
    Sarah ·
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    I forgot to mention it will be buffet style but the caterers will still put the food on everyone’s plates.
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  • Skb
    Dedicated December 2021
    Skb ·
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    I think it also depends on the venue and what is included in the catering. Is it at a hotel, plated dinner with hor d'oeuvres? Destin is a popular destination so the price seems average if it’s at a beach hotel/resort.
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  • Ashlee
    Super September 2022
    Ashlee ·
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    We're paying $130 pp in South Jersey, that includes all the appetizers during cocktail hour (6 butlered, 1 carving station and 1 display), all the food on the buffet (3 entree options - chicken & dumplings, crab cakes, and prime rib carving station, risotto, gnocchi, salad, green beans and mashed potatoes), the dessert display (plus our venue paid a portion of our cake), and the open bar.

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  • L
    Dedicated June 2023
    Linda ·
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    Paying 95 in NC per person

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  • Pat
    Super May 2023
    Pat ·
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    Paying $125 pp in Sarasota, FL. Cocotaul hour with 5 hot/cold passed hor d'oeuvres, Plated 3 course meal, and open bar.
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  • Melinda
    Expert March 2022
    Melinda ·
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    It’s all on area. Destin can be pretty pricey so that seems like a good cost.
    I paid 110/pp
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  • Mrs.evans
    VIP October 2022
    Mrs.evans ·
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    ALL of the catering is in a high we are trying to work with our caterer and try to work with him to come a comprise to low his so $600.00 what have
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  • Orianna
    Devoted December 2022
    Orianna ·
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    Those prices honestly sound really good. We’re paying pp but we also have a good and beverage minimum at our venue that we have to pay regardless. For us, it means having some late night snacks and some upgrades to our bar package. But I’m also getting married in Los Angeles and everything costs more here!
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