Post # 1
Member
2414 posts
Buzzing bee
Hi Bees!
I’m doing my Maid/Matron of Honor duties and helping my best friend choose her caterer. She’s considering a venue that has an exclusive caterer.
Here’s the breakdown:
Basic linens, China, flatware, stemware, servers, coffee bar, and cake service are included.
The price per person is around $85 for plated and $75 for buffet, PLUS a 22% service fee and 6.5% sales tax.
Open bar is $22/person with a 22% service fee and 6.5% sales tax.
A champage toast is $3.50/person
This essentially adds up to $145 per person for table linens, place settings, dinner, coffee bar, and drinks (including the toast). Is this a normal range, or should she choose a different venue if she wants to keep catering costs down?
Post # 2
Member
786 posts
Busy bee
bouviebee : This price sounds about right if you live in a high cost of living area such as New York or California.
Post # 3
Member
2414 posts
Buzzing bee
ladybee135 : This will be a destination wedding in Tampa, FL.
Post # 4
Member
786 posts
Busy bee
bouviebee : It appears to be in line with the average cost of a wedding in Florida. I think she should look into other venues and pricing just to compare pricing and packages.
Post # 5
Member
229 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: March 2020 - City, State
Yeah, I would look at a few other places just to compare and see if she falls in love with some place else, but those numbers sounds pretty reasonable to me for a city.
Post # 6
Member
201 posts
Helper bee
Compare, compare, compare! I’ve also been looking at catering prices in FL. For about 100 people, one quoted me $6000 and the other quoted me $17K. Both include all that you mentioned.
Post # 7
Member
11 posts
Newbee
bouviebee : I’m getting married just south of Tampa and have been comparing caterers like crazy. I’m having 120ish guests and am paying $117 per person for retals for like, 25 tables and linens for each, a buffet dinner, lighting rentals, different ceremony and reception chairs, open bar, glassware, etc.
$145 does sound a tiny bit high, but what I found was, caterers are hella expensive, especially if you are getting married in a venue that has a list of must-use caterers. I was able to negotiate a lower price on certain things with the caterer I ended up choosing based on quotes that I had received from other companies, so if your bride feels comfortable, I would strongly encourage doing that!
Post # 8
Member
193 posts
Blushing bee
Even in high cost of living areas, there are a range of options. I’m in California and for 80 people we were quoted as high as $12k for food and as low as $4.5k (we went with that one). If budget is a conccern, we’re saving a lot by doing our own appetizers (cheese and crackers, go costco!), choosing the cheaper option between buffet and plated but every caterer is different so check to see which is cheaper, and choosing inexpensive food like pasta. Our guests will have a choice between vegan lasagna or chicken pasta. Not terribly fancy but then again neither is our wedding.
Post # 9
Member
2414 posts
Buzzing bee
From what I understand, my friend talked to the venue (this is her top choice from her tours and she’s trying to see if it’s financially feasible), and they use this one caterer. That’s it. So if she wants the venue, the catering cost seems to be what it is with no wiggle room.
I did some additional research too, and for what’s included, it seems maybe a bit high, but still fairly reasonable. It’s not like it’s double the other options. My advice to her will be to do it if she can afford it, as the venue is her favorite.