How much do caterers usually cost for weddings?

I am having my wedding in June 2010 and I live in Canada, Calgary-Alberta, and im just wondering what a ball park guess is for caterers. I am having about 100-120 people at my wedding. I would also like to have a buffet style, and not steak or anything, just the plain chicken and potatoes or something.. I am going to start calling around but im just trying to make my budget Thanks a bunch.How much do caterers usually cost for weddings?
I don't know if you have your venue yet, but I'm from Calgary and am getting married this July. Alpine Catering is very reasonable and I've heard good things, except my Aunt, who works for another catering copany in Calgary recently worked on a function with them and wasn't very impressed.



I'm getting married out in Deadman's Flats and I have the same size guest list as you and my budget is modest. If you haven't found a venue yet and like the idea of getting married out in the mountains check out www.banffgatemountainresort.com. They have a decent hall and rent it out for just over $1000 (it might go up for next year I'm not sure).



They let you find your own caterer and set up your own bar, so if you choose to have a cash bar you don't have worry about that cost. Either way though it will be much less expensive then paying for the drinks through a hotel.



Then if you go through Bow Valley catering in Canmore they offer a buffet with roast beef and chicken for $30/person and that includes the taxes and the gratuity. Again though the price might go up a little by next year. They seem to have a very good reputation.



Hope this helps, good luck!!
well, I dont' know about Canada, but I searched the web for Average Catering Costs(before anyone jumps down my throat for just pulling out a number) and it says usually about $10-$20 a person. That's just for the meal, no appetizers, desert, drinks and waitstaff. So you probably are looking at around $30-$35 a person. So Mac is right on target with that price. And that doesn't include the tip. Unless you are serving hot dogs and hamburgers. If you want a decent meal you will pay for it.How much do caterers usually cost for weddings?
It really depends mainly on where you are located. If you go through a restaurant (most gladly offer catering), it will be much cheaper than if you went through a wedding caterer, and you will get alot more for your money without being nickeled and dimed.



Since you are in Canada, check out http://boards.weddingbells.ca since that is aimed specifically at that area.
It really varies. If your lucky you could find one that charges $10 per person, but you should expect to pay between $15 and $20 per person for a reasonably priced caterer. Ask friends and family who recently got married who they used and what they charged. Also, most large restaurant chains have catering departments that do full service buffets. I'm sure that varies too, but it's probably worth looking into.
it all depends on the complexity of the menu and also how high end the caterer is.



our's is running $16 a head minimum 100 head count.



the average seems to be $25- $30 a head.



Edit: Mac just because you were a chef doesn't mean your mr.know it all. yes i am sure all of us are putting in the drinks not every cater charges hundreds of dollars a head for food. the $16 a head is because my reception site is also doing the catering and so she can charge that little for the food + drinks.
Simple as your plan sounds...probably somewhere between $3500 and $5000 for a service for ~110 people. Simply, plan on $40/plate per guest.



Edit: I get thumbed down for offering a decent estimate? At times people make me want to hurl. Shove off.



Edit II: Has anyone below included beverages in the catering charge? I have. Unbelievable #'s your getting. 10,16,20,30/plate-guest. Yeah, if your hosting at Denny's and serving only water.