Wedding Catering Calculator
Enter your guest count and service style to get the food quantities you need — appetizers, protein, sides and more — plus a per-guest cost estimate. Free, no signup.
Food for
100 guests
Estimated catering cost
$3,000–$5,500
$30–$55 per guest
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Appetizers ≈ 125 of each across 4 types | 500 pieces |
| Main protein 8 oz per guest (buffet) | 50 lbs |
| Side dishes 2 sides × 4 oz per guest | 25 lbs each |
| Salad / greens | 13 lbs |
| Dinner rolls | 150 rolls |
Quantities use standard per-person portions and assume most guests eat a full meal. Add ~10% if you have a hungry crowd or teens. Cost is a national food-plus-service estimate.
How much food for a wedding?
Catering quantities come down to per-person portions: a set amount of protein, sides, salad and bread for each guest, plus appetizers scaled to how long the cocktail hour runs. Buffet and family-style service need a little more than plated, because guests serve themselves.
This calculator turns your guest count and service style into a clean quantity list you can hand to a caterer or use for a DIY spread, with a realistic per-guest cost range. If you are also working out the bar and the cake, the alcohol and cake calculators finish the picture.
Frequently asked questions
How much food do I need for a wedding of 100 guests?
For 100 guests at a buffet, plan roughly 50 lbs of main protein (about 8 oz per person), 25 lbs per side dish, 13 lbs of salad, 150 dinner rolls, and around 500 appetizer pieces for a one-hour cocktail hour. Plated service needs a bit less protein per head.
How many appetizers per person for a wedding?
Plan about 5 appetizer pieces per guest per hour of cocktail hour. For 100 guests over one hour that is roughly 500 pieces; spread them across 4–6 types so there is variety.
How much meat per person for a wedding?
Around 6 oz of cooked protein per person for plated service and 8 oz for a buffet, since guests serve themselves and take more. Family style sits in between at about 7 oz.
How much does wedding catering cost per person?
A buffet typically runs about $30–$55 per guest, plated service $45–$75, and family style $40–$65, including food and service. Bar, rentals, staffing gratuity and cake are usually separate.
Buffet or plated — which needs more food?
Buffets need more food because guests portion themselves and tend to take more, while plated meals are controlled portions. Buffets can still be cheaper overall because they need less waitstaff.
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