Wedding Catering Costs in the UK (2026)
Wedding catering in the UK costs £40-120 per person for food, with drinks packages adding £20-50 per person. Total catering spend is the second largest expense after the venue.
Updated for 2026
Average catering cost in United Kingdom
Range: £4,000 – £14,000
What you’re paying for
Canape reception
Per person for 4-6 passed canapes
£10 – £25
Wedding breakfast (3 courses)
Per person for a seated meal
£50 – £100
Evening food
Per person for buffet, pizza, or fish and chips
£10 – £25
Drinks package
Per person for welcome drink, wine, and toast
£20 – £50
Corkage (BYO venues)
Per bottle if bringing your own wine
£5 – £15
How to save on catering
Choose a BYO venue
Buy wine in bulk from a supermarket or wine merchant. Even with corkage, you save 40-60% vs venue drinks packages.
Skip the canapes
Go straight from ceremony to sit-down meal. Saves £10-25 per person and keeps the timeline moving.
Fish and chips for evening food
Cheaper and more popular than a formal evening buffet. Guests consistently rate it as a highlight.
Common questions
How much is wedding catering per head in the UK?
£60-120 per person all-in (food + drink). London and the South East sit at the top of this range.