Wedding Catering Costs & Planning Guide

Catering for weddings is one of the main parts of our job here at Social Pantry, from the initial planning to the final execution and everything in between, so we like to think of ourselves as experts when it comes to wedding food. There’s a lot to think about when planning your menu, so we’ve rounded up everything we know to take the stress out of it. Looking for a caterer? Explore our wedding catering in London.

The cost of your catering can vary hugely depending on many factors, and some decisions need to be made before you start thinking about your menu. Catering is often provided as part of the venue hire, sometimes with exclusive discounts, but this can also limit your choice of food. Think about what’s important to you and the food you want to serve. An outside caterer can seem more expensive than the deal a venue can offer, but any experienced caterer will be able to work to your budget and share advice to make your money go further.

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It’s always better to plan for more wedding food than too little, as no one wants their guests to go hungry. However, without an accurate estimate of guest numbers for both the wedding breakfast and the evening, there’s a risk of over-ordering, which can be costly and wasteful. Weddings can be long days, and hungry guests can become restless and tired and, what’s worse, extremely drunk! Your caterer will work with you to plan your menu down to the last canapé, so you have the perfect amount of food for you and your guests on the day.

What a caterer can provide varies from one business to the next, from the food alone to transport, table settings and service staff. Decide what you need before you begin your search, and discuss all the options with your caterer. A good caterer will offer options to suit your requirements, as well as invaluable advice to make sure everything goes perfectly on your big day.

Wedding catering planning should come soon after you’ve chosen a venue. You’ll need to allow for guest numbers and any dietary preferences, too. By finding a caterer early on, you’ll be able to explore all your options well in advance, and an experienced caterer can give you a realistic idea of budget based on your preferences. The best caterers can be booked up on key dates years in advance, so make this a priority if you can.

Hiring a caterer is usually the easier and safer option for couples planning their big day, but it isn’t essential. DIY wedding food can be cheaper, and it gives you more freedom over what you serve and how it fits in with your day. It is, however, a big task to take on without catering experience, and no amount of preparation can help if things go pear-shaped on the day. Consider whether the stress and time involved in planning and preparing your own food is worth it before you decide.

From trends to tradition, there are so many creative ways to serve food at your wedding. Grazing tables, self-serve stations and food trucks are all popular trends that make for great Instagrammable moments. Table service may work best for you, but be mindful of how long guests are seated depending on the number of courses. Traditional sit-down meals can be broken up with speeches and toasts between courses, which works well. Whatever you decide, your caterer will be able to guide you and help bring your dream day to life.

From vegan guests to dairy-free menus, weddings can throw up so many dietary requirements that it can be hard to know where to begin. It’s important for every couple that their guests love the food, regardless of what they can and can’t eat. A good caterer will build these into your menu from the start. At Social Pantry, our menus regularly include vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal options, and we follow robust allergen procedures with clearly labelled dishes.

Our dedicated wedding team have many years’ experience and are always on hand to help. Find out more about our wedding catering by making an enquiry, or give us a call on 020 8871 1949 to discuss in more detail.