Wedding Catering Calculator
Calculate food quantities for your wedding reception. Choose between sit-down, buffet, canapes, or BBQ and get exact kg amounts for meat, fish, vegetables, and desserts.
Dietary Requirements
Food Quantities (kg)
Meat
20.0
0.20 per person
Fish
15.0
0.15 per person
Vegetables
30.0
0.30 per person
Bread
150
rolls or slices
Dessert Portions
15
portions
Dietary Breakdown
Standard Diet
85
guests
Vegetarian
10
guests (10%)
Vegan
5
guests (5%)
Gluten-Free
3
guests (3%)
Tip: Always order extra portions for dietary requirements. Check all RSVPs before finalizing quantities with your caterer.
Shopping Reminder
- •Confirm dietary requirements with all guests on RSVP
- •Order 15 extra portions for emergencies
- •Plan for late arrivals and unexpected guests
- •Keep a separate prep area for vegan and gluten-free items
- •Discuss allergies directly with your catering team
How to Calculate Wedding Catering Quantities Without Running Short
Caterers work to a 1.2 to 1.5 portions-per-person buffer for a reason: people eat more at weddings than they do at home, take more than they intend, and a few guests will always want seconds. The Wedding Catering Calculator multiplies your guest count by the right ratio for each course (1.2 for plated, 1.5 for buffet, 2 to 3 canapes per person for receptions) and converts those portions into kilograms so you can hand the figures straight to your caterer.
For 100 guests sitting down to a three-course meal, you typically need 25kg of meat or fish for mains (250g per portion times 100 plus buffer), 15kg of potatoes, 12kg of mixed vegetables, and around 10kg of dessert. Buffet quantities run higher because guests serve themselves and over-portion: budget 350g of main protein per person rather than 250g.
Catering Quantities by Service Style (per guest)
| Course | Plated | Buffet | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canapes | 0 | 0 | 3-5 if drinks reception > 90 mins |
| Starter | 150g | 200g | Soups need 300ml per person |
| Main protein | 250g | 350g | Beef trims more than chicken |
| Vegetables | 120g | 180g | Add 50% in summer for salads |
| Potato/carb | 150g | 200g | Roast holds heat better than dauphinoise |
| Dessert | 120g | 180g | Cheeseboard add 30g per person |
Sit-Down vs Buffet vs BBQ vs Canapes
Sit-down meals are around £60 to £100 per head at typical UK venues and feel formal. Buffets are £40 to £70 per head and let guests choose, but you need 50% more food because of self-service over-portioning. BBQs and food trucks run £25 to £45 per head and work brilliantly for relaxed summer weddings, with the caveat that you must factor in queueing time (allow 15 minutes per 30 guests at one station). Pure canape receptions can replace a meal at £35 to £55 per head if you serve substantial canapes (sliders, mini fish and chips, gnocchi), but allow 8 to 10 per guest minimum.
Always ask caterers if their per-head price includes service, equipment hire (cutlery, glassware, linen), VAT, and gratuity, because these can add 25 to 30% to the headline figure. Pair this with the [Wedding Drink Calculator](/wedding-drink-calculator) to coordinate bar and food spend, and the [Wedding Cost Per Head Calculator](/wedding-cost-per-head-calculator) to see catering as a percentage of total wedding spend.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much food do I need for a wedding buffet?
Plan for 1.5 portions per guest at a buffet because people serve themselves more than they would at a plated dinner. For 100 guests, that's around 35kg of main protein (chicken, beef or salmon), 18kg of potatoes, 15kg of vegetables and 12kg of dessert. Buffets work best when there are at least two main protein options to keep queues moving.
What's the catering cost per head for a UK wedding?
£60 to £100 per head for a sit-down three-course meal at a typical UK venue. Buffets are £40 to £70, BBQs and food vans £25 to £45, canape receptions £35 to £55. For 100 guests, expect £4,000 to £10,000 on catering alone, which is typically the second-largest line item after the venue.
Should I have a vegetarian option as the default?
Offer vegetarian and vegan options on the RSVP and assume around 15 to 20% of guests will pick them. Some couples make the vegan option the standard and have meat as the alternative, particularly for younger London weddings. Caterers will need final dietary numbers 2 to 3 weeks before the wedding.
How many canapes per person?
3 to 5 per person for a 60 to 90 minute drinks reception that precedes a meal. 8 to 10 per person if canapes are replacing a main course (a 'canape reception'). Always include at least one substantial canape (sliders, mini fish and chips, arancini) per person if there's a long gap before the meal, otherwise guests will be drunk by sit-down.
Do I need food for evening guests too?
Yes, evening guests typically arrive around 7:30 to 8pm and expect either a hot evening buffet (bacon rolls, hog roast, pizza, mac and cheese) or substantial sharing platters. Budget £15 to £30 per evening guest for evening food. A buffet or food truck for the evening doubles as a late-night sober-up before guests drive home.
Related Tools
Wedding Drink Calculator
Calculate exactly how many bottles of champagne, wine, beer, and soft drinks you need for your wedding. Adjusts for season, duration, and bar type with cost estimates.
Wedding Cost Per Head Calculator
See the real cost per guest at your wedding. Break down your budget across venue, catering, drinks, photography, and more with adjustable percentages and what-if scenarios.