How much do wedding caterers charge per person? Do they provide drinks? How far in advance do I need to book?

They say your wedding is the most important day of your life, and the most important thing about the most important day of your life is the food! Keeping all your friends and family fed and energised is the key to a happy and successful wedding celebration. You don’t want a room full of ‘hangry’ guests who get drunk off their first glass of wine because the only thing they’ve eaten all day is a couple of nibbles from a bare buffet. 

But, how much do wedding caterers charge per person? Do they provide drinks as well? And how far in advance do you need to book your wedding catering? 

In this article, we’ll talk about the importance of wedding catering, roughly how much you can expect to pay per person, on average, and much more. Let’s tuck in, shall we?

How much do wedding caterers charge per person?

So, how much do wedding caterers typically charge per person in Australia? As of 2020, the average cost for wedding catering was around the $10,000 mark. If you are catering to 100 guests, that’s about $100 per head, for food. 

Of course, it largely depends on where you are based in Australia and the level of quality that you are going for. Here’s a quick look at the average per individual state:

• Australian Capital Territory: $11,000 (or $110 per head).

• Victoria: $10,000 (or $100 per head). 

• New South Wales: $9,000 (or $90 per head). 

• Western Australia: $6,500 (or $65 per head). 

• Northern Territory: $6,500 (or $65 per head).

• Tasmania: $7,000 (or $70 per head).

• Queensland: $5,000 (or $50 per head). 

Bear in mind that these are averages taken from a large pool of reported wedding catering costs. The amount you end up spending could be either higher or lower depending on your preferences. 

In any case, at an average of $100 per head, while being expensive compared to the average dining-out meal, there is much that goes into wedding catering (which we will cover shortly). 

Does a wedding caterer provide drinks?

Generally speaking, your wedding caterer will provide food and drinks. This depends on the type of package that you go for (all-inclusive), and the venue in question. For example, if your chosen venue has a bar, you may decide to opt for drinks behind the bar provided by the venue itself – with a third-party wedding catering company taking care of the food (and perhaps a few bottles of wine for each table). 

In any case, if you do want a wedding catering company to take care of both food and drinks, the majority of wedding caterers will offer this as a service. 

What’s included in your typical wedding catering package? 

So, what else is included in your typical wedding catering package?

• The food: the cost of which will be reflected in the catering style that you go for. Some people prefer a 3-course sit-down meal, others may prefer more of a casual buffet-style dining experience. 

• Beverages: depending on the package you opt for, it is likely that your wedding caterer will take good care of your drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. In some venues, there may be an option to bring your own booze (BYOB) by paying a corkage fee. 

• Staffing: this includes the chefs, the bartenders, and the serving staff. Again, the cost of which will be reflected in the type of catering you choose (e.g., less staff serving for a buffet style).

• Rentals: this includes chairs, tables, dishes, glassware, and cutlery – all of which will typically be provided by your caterer unless the venue is happy to oblige. You must double-check and ensure that everything will fit the theme of your wedding and the chosen décor of your venue.

• Extras: some wedding caterers may have additional fees include, such as corkage, cake cutting, and more. Again, it’s always worth being thorough when doing your research and finding the perfect wedding catering company for you. 

How far in advance do I need to book my wedding caterers?

And how far in advance should you think about booking your wedding catering service? You should give yourself as much time as possible. Ideally, you should aim for a minimum of 12 months so that you can lock in your desired dates and ensure that there is plenty of time to book and arrange absolutely everything else for your wedding day. 

The more time you buy yourself in this regard, the better. That, and the very best wedding catering companies will be in high demand so it’s always worth giving yourself a greater chance of securing them by allowing 8-months to a year. 

Why is wedding catering so important? 

So, what is all the fuss about? Why is wedding catering so important? The fact is, a wedding is a long affair. Most people who are attending both the reception and the evening events will be busy from the morning, right through until the late evening and beyond. As such, it’s important that they have a delicious and hearty feast to tide them over. 

Not only that but there’s something wonderfully symbolic about sharing a great feast with all of your precious friends and family under one roof. The reception and ceremony will be out of the way, and everyone will be ready to commence the evening’s festivities! What better way to mark the occasion than with some delicious, high-quality cuisine? 

If you are in need of some inspiration, wedding catering by Dining Abode comes highly recommended. This will give you an idea as to the different types of wedding catering packages available – and indeed the amazing quality that you can secure for your special day! 

Final thoughts

To recap: 

• The average cost per person for wedding catering is $100 AUD.

• Most wedding caterers will provide beverages in their wedding catering packages.

• You should book your wedding caterer at least 12 months in advance (if possible).

• There are few greater ways to celebrate your love than with a huge feast with all of your favourite people under one roof!