Most couples spend between $1,800 and $7,000 on catering. Most caterers will include alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as part of their packages. The average cost per person for a wedding in the United States is $40 for a plated meal and $27 for a buffet. Adding an open bar typically ups the cost by $15 per person.

Catering your own wedding can bring the cost down hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.”[In terms of a] number range, it is really hard to say. It’s like pricing out chicken: Chicken can be $5 or $25 (think free-range, organic, etc),” says Wexler.

The average cost for a wedding bartender is $40 per hour. Hiring a bartender for your big day, you will likely spend between $180 to $250 for the whole event. The price of a wedding bartender can vary greatly by region (and even by zip code).

Top 10 Inexpensive Wedding Foods to incorporate into your wedding reception menu

1. Eggs.
2. Peanut Butter.
3. Bananas.
4. Jello.
5. Pasta.
6. Ramen Noodles.
7. Oatmeal.
8. Potatoes.

We’ve got the top clever ways to save money on wedding catering, straight from the pros.

1. Book special offer rates.
2. Go for budget-friendly foods.
3. Skip the plated full-service dinner.
4. Opt for a weekday.
5. Consider disposable dinnerware.
6. Go casual for cocktail hour.

Catering is defined as the business of providing food services at a remote location such as a hospital, hotel, cruise ship, or events like weddings. A wedding catering service, then, is a caterer that provides food and beverage to a wedding party and can be part of a wedding package or can be hired independently.