MemberHello ladies!
I am expecting to invite around 200 guest and need to know if my $3000 budget for food is enough or should we reevaluate. I do live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area (if that even matters when it comes to the cost for food) and could really use any advice you all can provide. Thanks!
MemberIt depends on the venue. Research a few and see if what you like fits your budget or not
MemberIt’s a tight budget for food. $15 per person is a pretty low cost for catering. It can be done, but I think it will be harder to find a caterer at that price point.
MemberThat seems pretty low to me. But it will also depend if that number includes servers and serving dishes. And if you’re doing buffet or plated.
MemberThat breaks down to $15 per person. You seriously need to reevaluate unless you are doing a backyard thing or a very casual reception. Nothing wrong with either of those, BTW!
Memberlildncr2 : What are you hoping to do with that $3000? What type of reception are you planning? brunch? afternoon tea? buffet? plated dinner? food truck? self cater? That works out to $15 per person.
If you give them more information, I am sure the local bees can tell if you are being realistic.
MemberI’m having a *lot* of trouble imagining what kind of food you can really hope to get for $15 a person. Even with in incredibly casual backyard thing that would be hard, unless you order pans of brisket and mashed potatoes from a local low-cost bbq joint, etc.
Memberlildncr2 : Think about the Olive Garden rule: unlimited salad and breadsticks and soda refills included, an appetizer and entrees for two adults is stll going to come out to about fifty bucks. I think squeezing it down to $15/person will be pretty tight.
MemberI agree that’s tight. I live in the south and paid $2000 for a buffet to feed 110 and that was a steal. I think if you shopped around then you’re close but not quite there. Also, as previously said depends very much on what you want exactly.
MemberBbq!!! We’re doing 3 meats/3 sides for $12/pp. With tax, tip, and the service charge for a couple of wait staff it’ll be around $15/pp. Good luck!!
MemberPlease describe what you are talking about in the way of food. If you are having a BBQ reception it might work as long as you don’t have a lot of side dishes or anything extravagant. It won’t work for a sit down, 3 course, waiter served dinner . Can you be more specific?
MemberI”m doing a taco truck for 90 for 1800, would be 1700 without the horchata. I couldn’t find anything cheaper. So it’s doable, but there is no full staff, just two people and a truck, not full service, and it wasn’t somefancy taco truck it was a legit straight-from-mexico taco truck with no website or fancy signs.
If you want cheap cheap I wouldeither do a food truck or just order a bunch of pizza!
MemberThanks for all of your replies! I am wanting food stations: a mashed potato bar, Mexican food station, southern food station, & a pasta station. Knowing that information should I probably double the amount? Maybe $6000? My uncle is a chef so he will be doing the food (him and his team); we just haven’t discussed it yet. Lol I just want to have my ducks in a row before he & I discuss.
MemberI would discuss with your uncle/caterer and see what he recommends for that amount of people. If you use different ingredients you may be able to get the price lower, etc. $3000 does seem quite low for 200 people. You don’t have to have all your ducks in a row necessarily; it’s better to work things out as a team.
Also, you may want to consider more stations. I went to a wedding with maybe 150 people and 3 stations, and we pretty much didn’t eat because we stood in line the entire time.
MemberMy wedding is 11.50 per plate and the food is really good. Everybody in my area goes through them. It’s possible where I’m from, but I don’t live in a city. Food trucks are a good alternative but they are very trendy so they may be upping their prices as people start booking them more