Catering - What is the Average Cost Per Head at a Wedding Reception?

Q: What is the average cost per head for food and beverage at a wedding reception?
-Erin -

A: Cost per head depends on the meal and beverages you choose to serve your guests. For a full sit-down dinner with a full open bar, you can expect to pay around $100 per person ($65-$75 per person on the meal, plus $25-$35 per person on the bar). If you serve a soft bar with just beer and wine – you can reduce the beverage cost by about $10-$15 per person. Serving no alcoholic beverages can reduce this even further to about $5 per person for soft drinks and tea.

If yours is a morning or afternoon reception, the cost per person is usually much less, as breakfast and lunch menus typically range from about $25-$50 per person (depending on your caterer and what you serve). Daytime receptions are also more likely to have limited bars or no alcohol – which again, will save on the per person charge.
-Cori Russell - Style and Etiquette Editor

Find a complete guide to Planning Your Catering Menu at Elegala.com - Elegant Galas Made Simple