Catering for a Wedding in 2027: Styles, Costs and How to Choose
Catering for a wedding is usually the biggest single line in the budget, and the choice you make shapes the whole day: the timings, the atmosphere and how much your guests remember. If you are planning a 2027 wedding, the decisions below will help you shortlist caterers quickly and compare them fairly.
What are the main styles of wedding catering?
Most UK caterers offer a version of the following. The right one depends on your venue's kitchen, your guest numbers and how formal you want the day to feel.
| Style | Best for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Plated wedding breakfast (2-3 courses) | Formal weddings, speeches, a clear schedule | Needs a proper kitchen and more staff; choices are usually pre-ordered |
| Buffet | Relaxed days, larger guest lists, mixed dietary needs | Often kinder on budget; allow time for table-by-table queues |
| Sharing platters / family style | Social, chatty tables | Needs table space; generous portions are part of the appeal |
| BBQ | Marquees, farms, summer outdoor weddings | Weather backup matters; check the caterer can cook safely in your space |
| Street food or food trucks | Informal weddings, evening food | Often better for evening guests than as the main meal; check power and access |
| Grazing tables and canapés | Drinks receptions, small weddings | Rarely enough on their own for a full-day meal |
How much does catering for a wedding cost?
Catering is priced mainly per head, then adjusted for staffing, equipment and drinks. Prices vary widely by region, season and menu, so treat any single "average" with caution and rely on written quotes instead.
As a general pattern, a BBQ or buffet usually costs less per head than a plated, multi-course meal. Sharing menus and street food tend to sit in between, depending on ingredients and staffing. Prices have risen over recent years, and they are likely to keep rising into 2027, so build in some headroom rather than budgeting to the penny.
A simple way to model it (the numbers are an illustration, not market data):
- Per-head food price, for example £70.
- Multiply by confirmed adult guests, for example 80, giving £5,600.
- Add staffing, crockery, glassware and linen if they are not included.
- Add evening food, drinks, corkage, service charge and VAT if quoted separately.
- Add a small contingency for late guest changes.
What can push the price up?
- Peak-season Saturdays and bank holiday weekends.
- Venues with no kitchen, where the caterer must bring everything.
- Remote locations, which can add travel and staffing costs.
- Multiple menus, live stations and several dietary variations.
- Children's meals, supplier meals and late-night food, which are often forgotten.
Should you use the venue's caterer or an outside one?
Some venues have an exclusive in-house caterer or a short approved list. Others let you bring in anyone. Ask this before you fall for a venue, because it changes your options and your costs.
- In-house: simpler logistics, the team knows the space, but less choice and sometimes less flexibility on menus.
- Approved list: a good middle ground; the caterers already know the venue's rules.
- Open choice: most freedom, but you must check kitchen access, power, water, waste and finishing times.
If you want a caterer near you, search by the venue's location rather than your home town. Caterers who regularly work at your venue will know the access and the kitchen quirks.
What food works best for different guest needs?
Vegetarian wedding catering
Vegetarian guests should get a main course that feels as considered as everyone else's, not a default pasta dish. Ask caterers to show you the vegetarian option they would actually serve, and whether it is made from the same quality of ingredients.
Vegan wedding catering
Vegan menus work best when they are planned from the start, not adapted from a meat dish. Check starters, sauces, bread and dessert, and ask how the caterer prevents cross-contact in the kitchen.
Halal wedding catering
If halal food is needed, ask the caterer whether they use certified halal suppliers and how meat is prepared and kept separate. Some couples choose a specialist halal caterer, others choose a fully halal menu so there is no ambiguity. Ask for details in writing.
Indian wedding catering
Indian weddings often involve several events, large guest lists and a wide range of dishes, so specialist caterers are usually the best fit. Ask how many dishes are included per course, whether live stations such as chaat or dosa are offered, and how the caterer manages vegetarian, Jain, halal or other dietary needs. Also check that your venue allows outside caterers with high-heat cooking.
Allergies and intolerances
UK caterers must be able to give allergen information for the 14 major allergens. Collect guest allergies with your RSVPs, pass them on in one clear list and ask the caterer how they will label or identify those meals on the day. Do not rely on a verbal promise.
What about the wedding cake?
The cake can come from your caterer, a specialist baker or the venue. Popular wedding cake ideas include classic tiered sponge, a smaller cake plus dessert table, cupcake towers and cheesecake or profiterole stacks. If you want to serve it as dessert, tell your caterer early so they can plan plates, cutting and timings. Check whether a cake-cutting fee applies.
How do you compare wedding catering services fairly?
Ask every caterer for a written quote that follows the same structure. Otherwise one quote might include staff and glassware while another does not, and the cheaper one is not really cheaper.
Questions to ask every caterer
- What is the per-head price, and what exactly does it include?
- Are staff, crockery, cutlery, glassware, linen and waiting service included?
- Is there a service charge, travel cost or VAT on top?
- What is the food hygiene rating from the local authority? Look for a current 5 on the Food Standards Agency scheme (in Scotland, a Pass under its separate scheme).
- Do they hold public liability insurance?
- Can you book a tasting, and is it free or charged?
- How do they handle dietary requirements and allergens?
- What is the deadline for final numbers and menu choices?
- What are the payment terms, and what happens if guest numbers change?
- What is the plan for bad weather, if you are outdoors?
A simple scoring approach
Score each shortlisted caterer from 1 to 5 on price per head, menu fit, dietary flexibility, venue experience, reviews and how quickly and clearly they reply. A caterer who is slow and vague before booking is rarely faster afterwards.
When should you book wedding catering for 2027?
Book as soon as your venue and date are confirmed. Saturdays from late spring to early autumn tend to go first, and good specialist caterers can be booked well ahead of those dates. If you are flexible, a Friday, Sunday or off-peak month can widen your choice and may reduce costs.
A sensible order of play:
- Fix your guest number range and total budget.
- Confirm the venue and its catering rules.
- Shortlist three to five caterers and request quotes.
- Attend tastings and compare in writing.
- Pay the deposit and get the contract and menu timeline in writing.
- Confirm final numbers and dietary details by the agreed deadline.
If the research and emailing is what slows you down, a tool such as Wedding Planner by Stridivo can find caterers near your venue, draft the enquiry emails and score the options against your budget, location and dates. Either way, keep the comparison structured so you can decide with confidence.
Final checklist
- Venue rules on caterers confirmed.
- Budget set per head, not just in total.
- Three written quotes, like for like.
- Tasting booked.
- Dietary and allergy list collected.
- Evening food, children's meals and supplier meals included.
- Contract, payment dates and final-number deadline saved.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to cater a wedding?
Buffets, BBQs and sharing platters are generally cheaper per head than plated multi-course meals because they need less plating and service staff. The saving depends on the caterer and menu, so compare written quotes on a like-for-like basis.
How many people should I cater for?
Cater for confirmed adult guests, then add children's meals, evening-only guests and any suppliers who need feeding. Most caterers set a deadline for final numbers, so ask for it when you book.
Is a BBQ suitable for a wedding?
Yes, BBQ catering suits relaxed, outdoor and marquee weddings, as long as there is a weather backup and the caterer is experienced with large groups. Ask about vegetarian, vegan and halal options so those guests are not left with only sides.
Do I need a tasting before booking wedding catering?
It is strongly worth having one, especially for plated meals or specialist cuisines. A tasting shows you quality, portion size and how well the caterer communicates before you pay a deposit.
Can one caterer handle vegan, vegetarian and halal needs together?
Many can, but ask how they prepare and separate the different menus and request details in writing. For strict requirements such as halal certification, a specialist caterer may be the safer option.
Who should provide the wedding cake?
It can come from your caterer, a specialist baker or your venue. If it will also be served as dessert, tell your caterer early so plating and timings are planned, and check for any cake-cutting fee.