Alongside choosing the perfect venue, catering for your guests can be one of the biggest expenses when planning a wedding, but creating a memorable dining experience doesn't have to mean stretching your budget. Whether you're planning an intimate celebration or a larger reception, there are plenty of ways to reduce catering costs while still treating your guests to delicious food and drinks.
As part of our Affordable Weddings hub, we're sharing practical ideas to help you spend where it matters most. From choosing a different style of catering to rethinking your wedding timeline, these tips can help you create a celebration that reflects your priorities without compromising on the experience.
How Much Does Wedding Catering Cost?
Wedding catering is typically priced per guest, making it one of the costs that increases directly with your guest list. While prices vary depending on your venue, menu and catering style, recent UK wedding industry estimates suggest couples can expect to spend around £70 - £120 per guest on food and catering.
That means even a small reduction in guest numbers or a change in catering style can make a noticeable difference to your overall budget. If you're still deciding how to allocate your spending, our guide on How to Budget for a Wedding in the UK can help you plan realistically from the start.
Your choice of wedding venue can also play a major role in your catering budget. While some venues have exclusive in-house catering and fixed drinks packages, others offer greater flexibility, allowing you to choose your own caterers, hire a mobile bar or, in some cases, supply your own alcohol. Comparing what's included before you book can make a significant difference to your overall costs, so it's worth considering your catering options alongside the venue itself.
Consider a Dry Hire Wedding Venue
If you're looking for greater flexibility, a dry hire wedding venue could help you make your catering budget go further.
Unlike venues with exclusive in-house catering, dry hire venues often allow you to choose your own caterers, giving you the freedom to compare prices, tailor your menu and find suppliers that suit both your style and budget.
Many couples also choose to hire a mobile bar for their reception. Depending on the company and your venue's policies, you may be able to provide your own alcohol while the bar team serves drinks and creates personalised cocktails. Other mobile bar companies offer all-inclusive drinks packages, so it's worth comparing both options to see which works best for your wedding.
Before booking any external caterers or bar suppliers, always check what's included in your venue hire and whether corkage fees or supplier restrictions apply.
If you're still searching for the perfect venue, browse our Wedding Venues to compare venues offering different levels of flexibility for food and drink.
Consider a Smaller Guest List
One of the simplest ways to reduce your catering costs is to invite fewer guests. Because most caterers charge on a per-person basis, every guest added to your wedding increases your food and drink budget.
A smaller guest list doesn't mean compromising on your celebration. In fact, many couples are now choosing more intimate weddings so they can spend more on the things that matter most to them, whether that's exceptional food, live entertainment or a unique venue.
Every couple's priorities are different, but taking time together to decide who you really want to celebrate with can make a significant difference to your budget. If you're still deciding who to invite, our guide to writing your wedding guest list offers practical advice to help you create a guest list that feels right for your celebration.
Choose a More Flexible Catering Style
A traditional three-course wedding breakfast isn't the only option for your wedding day. Many couples are choosing more relaxed catering styles that better suit the theme or style of their wedding while often reducing catering and staffing costs.
Buffet
A buffet remains one of the most popular choices for budget-conscious couples.
- Often requires fewer serving staff than plated meals.
- Gives guests a wider choice of dishes.
- Works particularly well for larger celebrations or informal receptions.
Sharing Platters or Family-Style Dining
Sharing platters are brought to each table for guests to serve themselves.
- Creates a relaxed, sociable dining experience.
- Encourages conversation around the table.
- Can reduce the time and labour involved in individually plating meals.
Grazing Tables
Beautifully presented grazing tables have become increasingly popular in recent years.
- Ideal during a drinks reception or for more informal weddings.
- Can offer a variety of cheeses, charcuterie, breads, fruit and seasonal produce.
- May even replace traditional canapés or evening food, depending on your wedding timeline.
Barbecue or Hog Roast
Outdoor weddings and relaxed celebrations are perfectly suited to barbecue catering or a hog roast.
- Creates a laid-back atmosphere.
- Offers generous portions with simple service.
- Can often be a more affordable alternative to a formal wedding breakfast.
Street Food and Food Trucks
From wood-fired pizzas and tacos to gourmet burgers and loaded fries, external street food catering continues to grow in popularity.
- Offers something memorable for guests.
- Provides plenty of flexibility for different tastes and dietary requirements.
- Works particularly well for festival-style or evening receptions.
Whichever catering style you choose, remember that costs will vary depending on your guest numbers, suppliers and menu. If your venue allows you to choose your own caterer, it's worth comparing several local companies before making a decision. Browse our Wedding Caterers to explore suppliers offering everything from traditional wedding breakfasts to street food, grazing tables and barbecue catering.
Rethink Your Wedding Timeline
Traditionally, many couples serve canapés during the drinks reception before sitting down for a formal wedding breakfast. However, more couples are now rethinking the flow of their day to reduce catering costs while creating a more relaxed celebration.
One increasingly popular option is to move your cake cutting to the drinks reception or cocktail hour. Rather than serving separate canapés, guests can enjoy a slice of wedding cake alongside a glass of fizz, tea or coffee. Not only can this reduce your catering costs, but it also makes your wedding cake more of a feature during the day instead of waiting until later in the evening.
Another option is to consider a twilight wedding. With a later ceremony, many couples choose to skip the traditional wedding breakfast altogether, moving away from the traditional structure of the day. This more informal style of celebration can often reduce catering costs while creating a relaxed atmosphere for guests.
Keep Your Menu Simple and Seasonal
When planning your menu, remember that simple doesn't have to mean less memorable.
Choosing seasonal ingredients can often be more cost-effective than building a menu around produce that's out of season, while working with local caterers may provide greater flexibility if your venue allows external suppliers.
You could also consider:
- Serving two courses instead of three. (Wedding cake is a great choice for dessert!)
- Offering one carefully chosen menu for all guests, with alternative options for dietary requirements.
- Choosing a smaller selection of drinks rather than a full open bar.
These small changes can quickly add up, allowing you to focus your budget on the parts of your wedding that matter most to you.
Compare Drinks Packages Carefully
Your drinks package can have a significant impact on your overall catering costs, so it's worth comparing all of your options before making a decision.
Some venues offer excellent value all-inclusive drinks packages, while others may allow you to supply your own alcohol for a corkage fee. In some cases, hiring an independent mobile bar can also be a cost-effective option, particularly if they offer flexible packages tailored to your guest numbers.
Rather than offering every type of drink throughout the day, many couples choose a welcome drink, a glass of fizz for the speeches and a limited bar serving beer, wine and a signature cocktail. Guests still enjoy a fantastic experience, while unnecessary costs are kept under control.
Always check your venue's policies before making any arrangements, as rules around external suppliers, corkage and alcohol can vary.
Continue Planning Your Wedding
Saving money on wedding catering isn't about cutting corners - it's about making informed choices that reflect the kind of celebration you want to create. Whether you decide on a smaller guest list, choose a relaxed style of dining over a formal wedding breakfast, or rethink your drinks package offerings, there are plenty of ways to create an unforgettable dining experience without overspending.
For more expert advice and planning inspiration, explore our Affordable Weddings page where you'll find trusted wedding venues, suppliers and practical guides to help you plan a celebration that suits both your vision and your budget.
FAQ's About Saving Money on Wedding Catering