How Much to Set Aside for Your Catering Service

Generally, a catering service not only provides the food and beverages for your wedding but also handles your reception setup. It consumes a big part of your wedding budget. It is important that you carefully estimate your catering budget because the food will keep your guests in a good mood. It is the beautiful wedding set-up that will feed their eyes.

But the question is, how much do you need to set aside for your catering service? Estimated cost of the menu?

Your budget for your catering service is the menu rate per person, plus any additional charges, multiplied by the number of your guests. A menu rate ranges from P750 to P2, 000 per person, depending on the type of service and menu.

A basic buffet menu ranges from P750 to P1,000 per person, while an upgraded buffet menu ranges from P1,000 to P1,400. A plated menu or a sit-down meal can cost P1,500 to P2,000 per person. A plated menu is more expensive due to higher manpower demand.

Ask your caterer and note any additional charges, including the service charge (10%), out-of-town fee (10%), and value-added tax (12%) that may not be included in the initial menu rate. These additional charges may vary depending on your caterer.

If you want to add a complete mobile bar setup for your alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to meet your beverage needs, it can cost P150 per head or more, depending on the duration.

In addition, lechon—one of the famous Filipino dishes—is not usually included in catering menu packages. So if you want this to be a part of your dishes, you will need to request this as an additional menu item and pay P12,000 or more.

Some caterers include additional amenities in their package rates, such as a wedding cake, a bottle of wine, or 3 hours of use of a bridal car, which you can consider when deciding on your catering service.

We also advise you to set an allowance for your food and prepare for an additional 10% from the total number of your guests. If you have 100 guests, book for 110 to ensure enough food for all of them.

Choice of Menu

These are examples of menu packages.

• A basic buffet menu includes 3 main courses (fish, chicken, pork, and/or beef), pasta, dessert, rice, and refillable drinks (iced tea or soda).

• An upgraded buffet menu includes appetizers, soup, salad, 4 main courses (fish, chicken, pork, and beef), a vegetable dish, pasta, plain rice, a dessert bar (3 kinds of dessert), and refillable drinks (iced tea or soda).

• A standard plated menu can be limited to 1 soup & bread, 1 salad, 2 main courses, 1 vegetable dish, and 1 side dish. 1 dessert and drinks (iced tea or soda & coffee and tea), but if you want to add more — like a main course — the rate will be much higher.

There are add-on, on-the-spot food stations included in different menu packages that you can choose from, like the Lolly waffle station, Quesadilla station, Pasta bar, and Tusok-tusok station.

Moreover, be aware that salmon, angus beef, prawns, lamb, and other seafood dishes are more expensive than others. Expect a higher menu rate if you want these included on your wedding menu.

Wedding set-up

A catering service usually includes a thematic floral dress-up of the wedding reception area. The set-up includes an elegant table setting with an end-to-end floral arrangement and floral centerpieces for guests’ tables, the couple’s table, and the presidential table. It also includes the couple’s backdrop, linen, lighting, and decor that follow your color motif and wedding theme.

The wedding set-up varies depending on the flowers and decorations used. For example, flowers like Malaysian mums, Gerbera, Calla lily, and Carnations are priced lower than Roses, Tulips, and Stargazers. If you have a special request for flowers, decor, and designs, expect it to really affect your menu rates. Usually, if a client wants a grand set-up but wants to stay on the same menu rate, the menu will be adjusted to prioritize the reception set-up.

We advise you to allocate the largest share of your wedding budget to your catering service. A delicious food with an excellent quality of service and a beautiful reception set-up will set the mood for your guests. These will keep them active, happy, and full during your wedding reception—making the food and setup the most memorable part of it.

We also recommend that you do one important thing before deciding on your wedding caterer.

See more at this blog: Do This One Thing First before Deciding on Your Wedding Caterer.

Co-author:  Maricar Alcobendas, Former Sales Supervisor at Hizon's Restaurant & Catering Services, Inc. | Andy Babst, Venue Sales Executive at Hizon's Restaurant & Catering Services, Inc.

This piece has been updated on May 20, 2026.