How Much Does Wedding Catering Cost in the UK? (2026 Prices)

Wedding catering is usually the biggest single cost after the venue, and quotes can look wildly different. This guide explains what couples in the UK typically pay per head for each style of catering, what that means for 50, 100 and 150 guests, and which extras to check before you sign.

Average wedding catering prices per head in the UK

These are typical ranges per person for the food, based on what couples are quoted across the UK. London and destination venues sit at the top of each range.

The style of service matters as much as the food. A plated meal needs a waiter for roughly every 8 to 10 guests, a kitchen and crockery hire, which is why it costs several times more than street food served from a counter.

What wedding catering costs for 50, 100 and 150 guests

Multiplying the per-head ranges gives a realistic budget for the food alone:

Remember evening guests. If 50 more people join for the party, a lighter evening menu such as a food van or bacon rolls is usually priced separately, so add it to the budget early.

The extras that push the price up

Two quotes with the same price per head can end up hundreds of pounds apart once extras are added. Ask every caterer whether these are included:

• Staff and service time. How many staff, and for how many hours? Extra hours are often charged per staff member.
• Equipment and crockery. Plates, cutlery, glassware, linen, chafing dishes and tables can be hired separately.
• Travel and call-out charges. Some caterers add these on top, especially for venues outside their area.
• Kitchen or generator hire. Marquee, tipi and field weddings may need power, water and a cooking area.
• Waste removal. Some venues insist the caterer takes all rubbish away.
• Minimum spend. Many caterers have a minimum order, which matters for small weddings.
• VAT. Check whether prices include or exclude VAT.
• Drinks. Corkage, bar service and soft drinks are usually separate from food.

How to save money on wedding catering

• Choose a relaxed style. Food stations, sharing platters or a food truck cost far less than plated service and feel more sociable.
• Serve one main meal well. A generous main course with good sides often beats three small courses.
• Combine the evening food. Some couples skip a separate evening buffet by serving the main meal later, or use a food van that feeds both day and evening guests.
• Confirm numbers carefully. Many caterers let you add guests but not remove them once numbers are confirmed, so do not over-order.
• Pick a weekday or winter date. Caterers are in less demand, so you have more choice.
• Use a venue with no fixed caterer. Venues with an exclusive caterer often charge more per head than an independent caterer.

What Thai street food wedding catering costs

Thai street food sits at the friendly end of the scale while still feeling special. At Fan Thai Sticks we cook everything fresh on site from our own food stations or horse-box food van, so there is no venue kitchen to hire. Our published starting prices are:

Most of our weddings come to between £20 and £40 per guest. For example, food stations with starters and two mains for 100 guests start at £2,400, and evening food from the van for 150 guests starts at £2,100. Every quote is tailored to your numbers, menu and venue, and there is a minimum spend of £750, or £1,000 for the food van.

Questions to ask before you book a wedding caterer

• What exactly is included in the price per head, and what is extra?
• How many staff will be there, and for how long?
• Do you need a kitchen, power or water at the venue?
• How do you handle allergies and dietary requirements?
• What deposit do you need, and what happens if we cancel or change numbers?
• Can we see your food hygiene rating and public liability insurance?

If you would like a clear price for Thai street food at your wedding, see our wedding catering menus and prices or send us your date and guest numbers for a tailored quote.