How Much Does Catering Cost For A Wedding?
Most couples tend to be stressed while planning a wedding as it’s a huge milestone in their lives. One of the common questions asked is, “How much does catering cost for a wedding?”. Since food is considered an important aspect of a wedding, knowing the factors that contribute to the overall catering cost helps to make better decisions while choosing the right catering company. Don’t worry – we’re here to help make your life easier with useful and important information about catering costs below:
Average wedding catering costs in Malaysia
The average wedding catering costs in Malaysia depend on several factors such as type of menu, venue of the wedding and number of guests.
On average, the catering costs range from RM30 to RM400 per pax. A high-end wedding menu will typically be more expensive than a casual sit-down wedding reception. For instance, a traditional Chinese banquet ranges between RM150 to RM200 per pax while a casual BBQ buffet ranges between RM80 to RM120 per pax.
However, for certain caterers, they require a minimum deposit to book their catering service which ranges between RM10,000 to RM30,000.
What is typically included in the catering cost for a wedding?
There are many different types of wedding catering packages to choose from. Below are the standard items included in most wedding catering packages:
1. Food
Without a doubt, the food is considered the most expensive factor in the catering cost for a wedding. There are many different types of cuisine such as western or chinese cuisine to choose from in a typical wedding catering package.
Besides that, the type of service style can also be customized such as buffet style or multi-course banquet meal style. Some wedding caters offer specific dietary restrictions such as vegetarian or gluten-free as well.
2. Beverages
Wedding catering costs also include beverages. It can be either alcohol or non-alcoholic. If there’s alcohol involved, the overall cost will be more expensive. Some examples of common beverages include tea, coffee, or water. For alcoholic beverages, you can opt for an open bar concept or serve special cocktails.
3. Manpower
Most wedding caterers will also include all the staff that will take care of the event. For instance, the staff involved are servers and cooks who will serve food to the guests as well as other tasks such as clearing the tables or catering to the guest’s requests.
It’s important to have sufficient manpower in order to ensure the wedding goes smoothly, especially when the number of pax is high.
4. Rental
Rental is also included in a standard wedding package list such as for chairs, tables, utensils, and more. However, certain wedding venues already include these services. But if the venue doesn’t provide them, you can let the caterer know and they will include them in the wedding catering package.
Factors that influence the catering cost for a wedding
You might wonder what are the factors that contribute to the overall catering cost of a wedding. Here are some of the common factors:
1. Number of guests
The total number of guests influences the average catering cost. If the wedding involves a large number of guests, generally, it will cost less than a wedding with a small guest count. This is because most wedding caterers charge per pax. Hence, the bigger the guest count, the more expensive it’ll be.
2. Type of menu
The different types of menus also play an important role when it comes to catering costs. If you’re planning for a brunch or afternoon wedding reception, the type of menu will be smaller and less expensive. However, if you’re planning to have a night wedding reception, the food will be more costly as it requires more heavy food involved.
3. Service style
There are also several serving styles that contribute to the overall catering cost of a wedding. Some of the common types of serving styles include:
- Buffet service style: This involves a buffet where guests have to serve themselves, similar to self-service.
- Banquet service style: This involves the staff serving the meals for guests at each table. It can be served through a single dish or multiple dishes.
- Family service style: This involves guests being served large platters of food. Guests will serve themselves while passing the platter around the table.
4. Venue logistics
The venue logistics also play an important role in wedding catering costs. For example, if the venue is located far away from the city such as a deserted area, it may be more expensive as it requires more resources such as kitchen equipment or additional manpower.
What are the ways to present your food?
1. Buffet service style
With buffet style, guests have to serve themselves by taking food from a buffet station presented on a long table which consists of full-course meals such as appetizers and main dishes. Most large weddings tend to go for buffet service styles.
2. Full-service or banquet service style
With full-service or banquet style, also known as sit-down meals, staff will serve single or multiple dishes to guests directly on their tables. This is common among Chinese banquets where guests have to wait for each dish to be served.
3. Family service style
With family style, guests will have to serve themselves from large platters of food which are placed on their tables. Guests may choose to take any dish and put it on their plates.
4. Cocktail style
Cocktail style are more of small treats instead of full-course meals such as fruit tables. This is helpful if you wish to have a small, sit-down wedding reception.
How to choose the right catering company for a wedding
It can be overwhelming with the many different catering companies available in the market. Here are some of the things you can consider while looking for a catering company:
1. Consider your budget
The budget is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a catering company. If you have a tight budget, then you’ll need to look for an affordable package that is within your budget range. However, some catering companies are able to create a customized package based on your requirements.
2. Choose what style
Since there are many styles to choose from, it’s best if you can narrow down your options so that you can look out for caterers that offer your preferred style. This is because not all caterers offer many service styles as they may specialize in just one type of style.
3. Book in advance to ensure availability
Another crucial step while looking for a caterer will be to ensure they are available during the time of your wedding event. This is because most caterers will be booked in advance by other couples. Hence, it’s a priority to ensure they are able to accommodate your preferred dates.
4. Look through the reviews
The best way to know if a catering company is a good option is to look at its online reviews. A company will be considered a good option if customers are satisfied with the catering service. Some of the ways you can look at the reviews would be Google My Business reviews or if the company displays them on their website.
5. Perform a tasting session with your menu
It would be good if the catering company offered a tasting session for your menu options. This ensures that you can test their food quality and presentation before engaging with their catering service.
Tips to save money on your wedding catering
We know how expensive it can be to plan your wedding. Since food is the main feature of a wedding, here are several ways how you can save money:
1. Maintain a simple menu
Skip the complicated menus and go for a simple yet tasty menu for your wedding. You don’t have to go over the top with too many dishes. You can even skip appetizers and straight serve the main dishes and desserts.
2. Opt for a brunch or afternoon tea wedding reception
Compared to a wedding lunch or dinner, going for a brunch or afternoon tea menu is a more affordable option. This is because the menu items will be smaller portions and will generally cost less than the main dishes.
3. Get an accurate number of guests
Many couples tend to overestimate their number of guests, which leads to food wastage. If you order too much food, then it will also lead to a higher cost. Therefore, it will be better if you can control the catering costs by getting an accurate number of guests by asking them to RSVP before the wedding.
Conclusion
All in all, how much does catering cost for weddings depend on specific needs and requirements. You can also plan your wedding more efficiently after knowing the factors needed to consider before choosing to engage with catering services. Once you have a clear idea of your requirements and expectations, it’s time to find the right catering partner. Feel free to contact us to learn more about catering costs in Malaysia. Let’s work together to make your special day truly memorable!
