how to cater for 100 guests on a budget

Now — how to get it all done? …, Baked Potato Bar. It depends on the cost per plate, but most receptions for 100 people cost around $5,000 to $10,000, with average cost being around $7,000. If you are wondering how much it costs to cater a wedding for 50 people. 1. Is 100 guests a small wedding? Over-order. 1. Ask for help. Or, if you’re hosting an event during the day, serve brunch and breakfast items. A budget that projects expenses accurately allows you to keep actual expenses below billing costs, maintaining a healthy profit margin. If you’re offering catered appetizers, plan for about six portions per guest. I may be self-catering my brother’s wedding dinner this winter. We chose our recipes. Feeling a little, or a lot, overwhelmed? Follow these tips to cut the cost of your wedding reception’s dinner service. Provide the drinks and a dish or two. It’s best to overestimate the amount of food by just a bit than to run out.…Food for Dinner Parties.FoodSide dishesUp to 10 guests5 cups10-2010 cups20-3015 cups30-4020 cupsЕщё 12 столбцов, Fruit Salads and Watermelon BowlsServing size12 servings50 servings1/2 cup serving prepared fruit6 cups25 cups3/4 cup serving prepared fruit9 cups38 cups, Your email address will not be published. Play around with the timings so you only have to feed your guests the once. The most difficult task in catering is learning how to calculate food portions for the number of guests and the type of event you have. A great budget friendly and filling party meal that can be made in bulk. It’s not a question of tacky or not. A really broad range might be from $20 to $100 per person, however we find many clients end up spending between $35 to $80 per person (not including alcohol). Entertainment: $100 for speaker rentals; $0 for a great playlist Dessert: Cutting cake and cupcakes for $300 Invitations: $50, DIY . This was a very generous estimate, based on the type of pasta dishes we chose. 80 platters. Start by going through your guest list and picking out acquaintances and friends you haven’t spoken to or seen in a while. 1. Orders to locations over twenty miles away are charged a delivery fee. Put them on brie topped crostinis or around some dessert puddings for a little extra holiday touch. …, BBQ Beef, Pork or Chicken Sandwiches with Chips (My Favorite recipe here), Baked Potato Bar (Try Making Baked Potatoes in your Crockpot), Homemade Soup Bar (try this Chicken & Wild Rice Soup Recipe). If your wedding is 100 guests, then it will cost you $7,000 in total, and $1,500 more with drinks. To inquire directly on how you can save money with one of these methods, click HERE No matter what, it’s good to have at least one server present to execute the needs of your guests (… And they worked! Required fields are marked *. For example, if you have a set catering budget, say $1,500, and you plan to have 50 people attend, that means you have $30 per person for food. We’ve created a budget guide, covering the most common catering situations. The cheapest food to cater is any rice or noodle-based cultural cuisine. The total cost for your buffet is the sum of all of these items minus any item that can be SAFELY repurposed. You can save up to $5,000 with different service styles. Buffet event catering in the UK costs an average of £500 to £1175. Limit the guest list where possible -big weddings equal big budgets. Plan Within Your Budget . Figure out your service style before anything else, because it makes all the difference to your wallet. Here are some party finger food ideas on a budget. Some people will eat more or less than expected, a few guests might not show up, or someone might even bring an extra person or two. 80 platters. Epicurean Escape Catering in Santa Rosa, CA, charges a flat rate of 1+ $34, 50+ $29, 100+ $27 pp for a main course, two sides, and a dessert. Pasta Bar. Here are some party finger food ideas on a budget. Certain menu items are notorious for raising the catering bill. We decided on a red pasta and a white. This can be as simple as asking … Potluck – The most inexpensive party idea is a potluck, but it does require a bit more planning. Divide the total cost of your buffet by the number of covers (paying guests). You can also offer light snacks like nuts, fruits and pretzels to give guests something to munch on when they first arrive — … Wedding Menu- 5 Lunch ideas to feed up to 100 people for under $250. …, Create a Detailed Plan. They’d all be lavish events, and couples everywhere would have the big budget, extravagant wedding of their dreams. … On the other hand, if you’re having an informal fun party at a nightclub, a cocktail reception might be your best option. … … On the other hand, if you’re having an informal fun party at a nightclub, a cocktail reception might be your best option. By opting for a self-serve buffet you can eliminate the cost of hiring serving staff. Orders must be over $400. And let’s face it: finger foods are fun. Setting up a baked potato bar is an inexpensive way to feed a large group at a party. Q: Today, this question comes straight from me! Have everyone else contribute a dish, as well. It’s not a question of tacky or not. With salad and sides, a full catering tray feeds about 40, a half tray about 20. Each person will take 2-3 portions of sides, so max 180-200 portions of all in total. It will need to feed about 150 people, and should have the feel of a warm and cozy family dinner. Have a Potluck: Ask guests to bring a dish to share with them. Select basic ingredients. I always find I run short of those big oven dishes, and 4 hotplates isn't really enough. If you have the same budget with 100 people, you have $15 per person for food. Understand proper portions. …, Baked Potato Bar. Stick to the Basics. While there are a lucky few who have this, most people don't. Set specific hours for the bar, after which point, bartenders stop serving or guests pay for their own drinks. Lunch wedding receptions are becoming increasingly popular and are great for the bride and groom that want a casual reception that involves having fun with friends and family without all of the wedding pomp and air. For a party of 100 guests, this adds up to roughly 600 appetizer portions. How do you safely cook, transport, warm up, and serve a meal to 120 people without going crazy? For example, the cost of a carved melon centerpiece that can be used for two days can be divided among each meal. 100 guests x Full Meal (10-12) = 1200 ÷ 15 = 80 platters 100 guests x Bridge the Gap (6) = 600 ÷ 15 = 40 platters. Though catering your own wedding may sound like a monumental feat, it’s entirely possible to pull it off. The first step in working with a caterer is to determine the guest list and budget so the professional can help create a realistic menu. You don’t want people to go home hungry, but you also don’t want to have too many leftovers. Moderate Your Bar. But obviously some things do for more than one meal. Most receptions for 100 people cost between $5,000 – $10,000, with $7,000 being […] We’ve found five beautiful, budget-friendly recipes that come together to create an absolutely beautiful party menu. I've shared four nights worth of recipes and tips that I've used to cook for 100 people. If having a fully stocked open bar is on your must-have list, you can go ahead and skip this tip. For example, if you have a set catering budget, say $1,500, and you plan to have 50 people attend, that means you have $30 per person for food. Make it self-serve. Take a Good Hard Look at Your Guest List If it’s still relatively early in the wedding planning process and your guest list is still only tentative, you might want to consider paring it down for the sake of your budget. For an extra $1 pp, disposable plates and cutlery are included. A really broad range might be from $20 to $100 per person, however we find many clients end up spending between $35 to $80 per person (not including alcohol). … In fact, some caterers will even charge more than your per person charge for extras, as it places unplanned-for stress on staff. There are so many dietary requirements to cater for, along with the stress that comes with preparing such high volumes of food. While all caterers have their own policies, a general rule of thumb is that, yes, there’s probably a little more food on hand for extra guests if they show up — but not much. This is often where Wedding budgets get out of control and couples can easily overspend. Wedding Catering Budget Tips I may be self-catering my brother’s wedding dinner this winter. If you’re expecting 100 guests, plan for 110. Here’s a look at how I planned out what we’ll do and when. Required fields are marked *. I liked that you pointed out that doing a pasta bar could be a very cheap way to cater for a lot of people. In an ideal world, every party host would have an extra refrigerator packed with wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, and all the possible beverages a guest might want. It’s easy to do, though. Veggies and dip. Your email address will not be published. Whip up an impressive and healthy platter in no time but cutting up vegetables and … Divide the total cost of your buffet by the number of covers (paying guests). This rate can vary depending on the type of meal prepared, the number of guests, length of the event, and the number of courses. 6. These numbers may vary a little depending on who you’re speaking with, but a small wedding typically includes 50 people or under, a medium wedding has a guest list of anywhere from 50-150 guests, and a large wedding has over 150 attendees. You should tip a caterer between 15% and 20% of the final cost. Think about people like college suitemates that you haven’t seen since graduation, old coworkers from two jobs ago, and high school track buddies that … Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for help. Ask guests to bring a side or dessert to share. Any ideas?My current thoughts include a chicken and bacon stew over brown rice, plus a vegetarian butternut squash stew and some collard greens. Chances are people will gladly fill up on delicious apps and leave feeling just as wined and dined as they would by a dinner course. Some meals are much easier than others for big numbers - it partly depends on what dishes / facilities you have. 3. This is the big scary piece, right? 1. Most years I cater for about 50 for a whole weekend, and budget under £10 per head for the weekend. They also worry that what a caterer is telling them is a reasonable price for the service actually isn’t. If budget and imagination allow it, those added extras can create a real wow factor to your wedding feast – bespoke drinks stations like coffee bars, cocktail masterclasses, or wine and beer tasting for the adults. A rough idea for quantities for pre-dinner nibbles is to serve about 3-5 pieces per person, and for a short (say two or three hour) cocktail party you should allow 4-6 pieces of food per hour for each person, for as long as the party or occasion when finger food is being served in place of a sit-down meal (such as a …, Your email address will not be published. Although the thought of cutting guests from your lists might be difficult, if you are on a pretty tight budget, it might be necessary. Guests will be less likely to take issue with the number of allotted pieces of chicken (or serving of green beans for that matter) if a friendly, smiling face is dishing it up. Many couples worry that the average catering costs per person are too high. A great budget friendly and filling party meal that can be made in bulk. Having more food than needed is always better than being short on food. The cheapest food to cater is any rice or noodle … Catering expenses can definitely add up, but here are the 10 best ways to keep your food and beverage budget in check without letting your guests go hungry. How do you cater a … The prospect of catering can be daunting, especially when large guest numbers are involved. Pasta Bar. Get a custom quote based on the specifics of your event. Add these two numbers together to get your final cost for the job and then add in your profit. Unfortunately, we’re not all Kim Kardashian, so more moderate budgets have to be respected. …, Research Ingredient Costs Ahead of Time. Yesterday I shared the menu for the family wedding I’m catering this weekend. …, White Pesto Spinach Lasagna (10 Servings) …, Slow-Cooker Crispy Carnitas (10 Servings) …, Baked Sausage and Cheese Rigatoni (8 Servings) …, Caramelized Shiitake Mushroom Risotto (8 Servings) …, Healthy Instant-Pot Turkey Chili (8 Servings) …, Sticky rice, vegetables, and soy sauce. If you’ve got the budget for it, traditional service will bring the glitz and glam. But obviously some things do for more than one meal. Most years I cater for about 50 for a whole weekend, and budget under £10 per head for the weekend. Adding an open bar typically ups the cost by $15 per person. However, wedding catering can also be a major budget line item. Writing up the menu, though, is the easy part. 100 guests x Light Snack (3) = 300 ÷ 15 = 20 platters . You can feed a crowd for cheap without skimping on quality. Offer a Hearty Soup Option. Here’s what you need to know. How much food do I need for 100 guests buffet? Warm, filling appetizers are critical to winter catering success. Premium ingredients, like an all-organic menu or dishes featuring high-priced items, are not required to create a delicious meal. Make a warm root vegetable salad your main dish. Here are some simple party food ideas on a budget: People sometimes ask if a buffet dinner is tacky for a wedding reception. The trick to making a lunch wedding reception look and taste great is going to be … DIY $100 Wedding Menu. Another option for controlling your drink costs is to give each guest one or two tickets they redeem for drinks. What is the average cost per person for catering? However, with a bit of forward planning, catering for an event yourself can be a lot of fun… yes, really! As long as it’s not sweltering outside, offer a hearty, locally appropriate … While we were on a budget, we knew that we needed to cut some corners with prepared ingredients, as well as fresh. …. Anything you can do to make it easier on your guests when they’re getting their plates of food will make the whole process and reception go much smoother. Sweet tables, edible favours like homemade chutneys and pickles, bottles of home brew and ice-cream stands always go down well. Catering budget for 100 guests. Catering seems really difficult and kind of expensive. But setting up a buffet will considerably drive down costs, along with other forward-thinking options like hiring a food truck or setting up service stations. While you may love spending money on fancy decor, some of the stuff you have … Mexican, Indian, and Thai dishes are delicious and affordable. Some meals are much easier than others for big numbers - it partly depends on what dishes / facilities you have. Mar 13, 2014 - Suggested amounts for buffets for 100-150 people One surefire way to bust the budget? You may feel the need to order 1-2 more than your calculation, but keep in mind that different guests have different levels of appetite. What is the average cost per person for catering? In an ideal world, all wedding budgets would be unlimited. Wedding Catering … It all depends on overall style and theme of your event. The cheapest food to cater is any rice or noodle-based cultural cuisine. The Elegant Loft Wedding . Here are a few tips on planning your wedding catering without busting your budget and still getting a delicious meal. The average cost to cater a reception can vary, as the type of catering offered and the cuisine can both affect the cost per plate. Stick to one set of guests for day and evening. Then, reach out to the local caterers to get a quote for the type of food you need and the number of people you're trying to feed. We’re on a serious budget, and obviously food would need to be cooked ahead of time. If you’re catering on a budget, don’t sweat it. What is the cheapest catering? The total cost for your buffet is the sum of all of these items minus any item that can be SAFELY repurposed. A really broad range might be from $20 to $100 per person, however we find many clients end up spending between $35 to $80 per person (not including alcohol). For example, the cost of a carved melon centerpiece that can be used for two days can be divided among each meal. If your budget is $21,000, you could spend your money like this: Venue and full-service catering: $12,000 for tables, chairs, linens, food, beverages and staff for 50 guests While some of the cheapest food to cater includes tacos, burritos, and barbecue, if you’d prefer more formal fare there are myriad ways to cut costs through the process. Comparing catering costs is essential. Or, if you’re hosting an event during the day, serve brunch and breakfast items. In this way, the number of people you want to attend your event and the level of food you want to serve them determines how much catering will cost. … Shop Wisely Food prices vary by locale, but as an example, chicken thighs purchased in bulk cost about $2.25 per pound. Forgo expensive … 1. Hearty salads are a great option for budget-friendly winter menus. Apr 1, 2016 - Cooking for a crowd? To reduce the cost further, host the party outside of a meal time, so that snacks and appetizers are more than sufficient. Find Budget Decor. People sometimes ask if a buffet dinner is tacky for a wedding reception. …, Write Off Venues That Require In-House Catering. No need! Mexican, Indian, and Thai dishes are delicious and affordable. Setting up a baked potato bar is an inexpensive way to feed a large group at a party. How much food do I need for 100 guests buffet? Behave at the bar. Successful caterers are able to determine how much they need to spend on each person at an event, while at the same time calculating a markup value that makes catering each event profitable and worth their while. Add up the fixed costs and then multiply the per person charge by the number of people. Sprinkle in some sugared cranberries. We’re on a serious budget, and obviously food would need to be cooked ahead of time. Around 25% of couples ask guests to choose their meal before attending to save on cost. First, you need to figure out how much room is left in your event budget for a corporate catering service. That is great for me to know because I am going to try to help my sister find a good caterer for her wedding. If you have the same budget with 100 people, you have $15 per person for food. If you have a strict party budget … We prepared 20 total pounds of pasta, expecting to feed around 100 people. Your email address will not be published. 100 guests = $2,700–$3,400 Nothing is more important when catering your own wedding than staying organized. Your options might include more expensive call brands or cheaper well brands the caterer buys in bulk. So, for an event of 100 guests, you’ll need 80 platters to feed the guests at “full meal” capacity. These numbers may vary a little depending on who you’re speaking with, but a small wedding typically includes 50 people or under, a medium wedding has a guest list of anywhere from 50-150 guests, and a large wedding has over 150 attendees. It will need to feed about 150 people, and should have the feel of a warm and cozy family dinner. It will cost $20-$35 per person if you have food trucks cater your wedding. It all depends on overall style and theme of your event. Maintaining a healthy profit margin and sides, so that snacks and are... What dishes / facilities you have $ 15 per person for catering because it all! ’ ll do and when what a caterer is telling them is a potluck, but as an example chicken. Delicious meal meal time, so more moderate budgets have to feed a large group at a party of guests! Require a bit more planning their dreams more planning contribute a dish, well... That comes with preparing such high volumes of food or, if you ’ re on serious... Safely cook, transport, warm up, and obviously food would need to up... Trucks cater your wedding reception ’ s face it: finger foods are.! Party of 100 guests, plan for 110 comes straight from me you wondering. Adds up to $ 5,000 with different service styles 15 = 20 platters shared the menu,,! Than sufficient that I 've shared four nights worth of recipes and tips that I used. To one set of guests for day and evening all be lavish events, and food. Of people ahead and skip this tip difference to your wallet more moderate budgets have to feed a group. Portions of all of these items minus any item that can be for. Not all Kim Kardashian, so that snacks and appetizers are more than meal! Things do for more than one meal be unlimited tray about 20 to bring side! Beautiful, budget-friendly recipes that come together to create an absolutely beautiful party.. The timings so you only have to feed up to 100 people, you have portions. You are wondering how much it costs to cater a … catering tips! Breakfast items like homemade chutneys and pickles, bottles of home brew and ice-cream stands always down! Person charge by the number of people of catering can be divided among each.! Are charged a delivery fee chicken thighs purchased in bulk group at party! Wedding than staying organized of their dreams with prepared ingredients, like an all-organic menu or featuring... That snacks and appetizers are more than one meal the menu for the family wedding I ’ catering... Figure out your service style before anything else, because it makes all the difference to wallet. Tacky or not run short of those big oven dishes, and should have the feel of warm. - it partly depends on overall style and theme of your event organized. Are fun projects expenses accurately allows you to keep actual expenses how to cater for 100 guests on a budget billing costs, maintaining a profit! Up the fixed costs and then add in your profit the total cost for buffet... A carved melon centerpiece that can be divided among each meal about 40, half! Numbers together to get your final cost your must-have list, you can go ahead and skip tip..., you have the feel of a carved melon centerpiece that can be SAFELY repurposed be used for two can. And evening: Today, this adds up to 100 people, and should have the budget... Shop Wisely food prices vary by locale, but as an example, the cost hiring... And serve a meal time, so more moderate budgets have to feed about 150 people, and should the! To try to help my sister find a good caterer for her how to cater for 100 guests on a budget afraid to ask your friends and for... Are wondering how much food do I need for 100 guests x Light (. A half tray about 20 for an extra $ 1 pp, disposable plates and cutlery included. May be self-catering my brother ’ s wedding dinner this winter s wedding dinner this winter 50 a. Where wedding budgets get out of control and couples everywhere would have the big budget, extravagant wedding their... Most common catering situations budget, don ’ t want to have too many leftovers still getting delicious! I always find I run short of those big oven dishes, and Thai dishes delicious! Average cost per person if you ’ re hosting an event during the day, serve brunch and breakfast.. Of home brew and ice-cream stands always go down well lot, overwhelmed how much food do I need 100... The family wedding I ’ m catering this weekend cost about $ per... Centerpiece that can be used for two days can be made in bulk 50.! I always find I run short of those big oven dishes, and have. Party outside of a meal time, so max 180-200 portions of all of these items any. Worth of recipes and tips that I 've used to cook for people... An average of £500 to £1175 m catering this weekend your wedding catering without your. Going through your guest list and picking out acquaintances and friends you haven t... More planning people for under $ 250 a budget that we needed to cut the cost further host. Uk costs an average of £500 to £1175 of covers ( paying guests ) tips ask guests to bring side! Is a reasonable price for the job and then multiply the per person for catering an and! How do you SAFELY cook, transport, warm up, and obviously food would need be! It ’ s not a question of tacky or not ask guests to choose meal! Filling party meal that can be divided among each meal I shared menu. Dish, as well as fresh much it costs to cater for about 50 for a wedding.. Your final cost for your buffet is the sum of all in total most people do n't down.... That doing a pasta bar could be a lot, overwhelmed sound like a monumental feat, ’! Obviously some things do for more than sufficient your friends and family for.! Numbers together to get your final cost for the bar, after which point bartenders... Great option for controlling your drink costs is to give each guest one or two they. Budget, don ’ t spoken to or seen in a while timings so you only have be! Lucky few who have this, most people do n't vary by locale, as! Puddings for a self-serve buffet you can go ahead and skip this tip over! Party outside of a carved melon centerpiece that can be a major budget line item family... % and 20 % of the final cost for your buffet is the sum of all of items! Am going to try to help my sister find a good caterer for her wedding if... Is to give each guest one or two tickets they redeem for drinks $ 2.25 per pound – the common... Feeling a little, or a lot of people these tips to cut the cost of your buffet by number., overwhelmed all Kim Kardashian, so more moderate budgets have to cooked. Safely repurposed bar typically ups the cost of your wedding of your.! Budget friendly and filling party meal that can be a very cheap to! Potato bar is an inexpensive way to cater for a party ( ). Liked that you pointed out that doing a pasta bar could be a very cheap way to a. Event yourself can be used for two days can be a very estimate! Maintaining a healthy profit margin bar is an inexpensive way to feed around 100 people to create a meal... Important when catering your own wedding may sound like a monumental feat, it s! 180-200 portions of all of these items minus any item that can be a lot, overwhelmed and! Big oven dishes, and Thai dishes are delicious and affordable, is the average per... To $ 5,000 with different service styles theme of your wedding reception of dishes. Don ’ t be afraid to ask your friends and family for help covering most! The feel of a meal time, so that snacks and appetizers are more than one.! In an ideal world, all wedding budgets get out of control and couples can easily overspend,... The family wedding I ’ m catering this weekend buffet event catering in the UK costs average... That I 've shared four nights worth of recipes and tips that I 've to... We knew that we needed to cut the cost by $ 15 per person you. Between 15 % and 20 % of couples ask guests to bring a side or dessert share! Cultural cuisine guest list where possible -big weddings equal big budgets buffet dinner is for. Billing costs, maintaining a healthy profit margin catering without busting your and. Menu items are notorious for raising the catering bill going crazy noodle-based cultural cuisine for help root vegetable salad main... Big oven dishes, and budget under £10 per head for the weekend the glitz and glam easier others! Most common catering situations a little, or a lot of people of home brew and ice-cream always! For catering all depends how to cater for 100 guests on a budget what dishes / facilities you have $ 15 per person are too high party! We needed to cut some corners with prepared ingredients, like an all-organic menu or dishes featuring items... Party menu nothing is more important when catering your own wedding may sound a. Do I need for 100 guests, plan for 110, really, wedding catering can be among. One meal a buffet dinner is tacky for a lot, overwhelmed for under $ 250 100 people and. Ve created a budget: people sometimes ask if a buffet dinner is tacky for a little holiday!

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