How to Feed 100 People at a Wedding on a Budget: Practical Catering Tips

Wedding catering gets expensive fast, but you don’t need a four-figure quote to make everyone happy (and full). If you’ve got 100 hungry guests, you can keep costs down and the food quality high by rethinking what a wedding meal actually needs to be. The secret? Prioritizing crowd-pleasers, skipping the pricey extras, and not being afraid of a little DIY.

Start by ditching the idea that only plated, three-course meals are wedding-worthy. Buffet and family-style options cost way less because you buy in bulk and need fewer servers. Potluck-style weddings are making a comeback too; just be upfront with your guests about what to bring, and you’ll get a killer variety without footing the whole bill. The vibe is relaxed, and you still get to enjoy everyone’s company while keeping your wallet happy.

• Pick the Right Meal Style
• Smart Menu Planning
• Shop and Cook in Bulk
• Presentation and Serving Tricks

Pick the Right Meal Style

Choosing the meal style is your first big money-saver when it comes to wedding catering. Let’s compare a few options so you see where dollars stretch the farthest with 100 people.

• Buffet Style: You serve food on long tables and people help themselves. This is the cheapest way to feed a lot of guests. Buffets use fewer servers, offer lots of choices, and let you buy ingredients in bulk. It also means less waste because folks pick what they want and how much.
• Family-Style: Big dishes of food are set on the tables, and guests serve themselves. It’s more social and also keeps costs down because you don’t need a separate plate for each person. Plus, there’s less food prep compared to fancy courses.
• Potluck: The savings here are huge. Ask friends and family to bring a dish. This way, the variety is unbeatable, and you seriously cut your affordable wedding meals budget. You just have to organize what people bring so you don’t end up with seven spaghetti salads and no dessert.
• Food Stations: Different tables each have one type of food, like tacos, sliders, or mac and cheese. It’s less formal than plated dinners and way more fun. You control the portions and limit expensive proteins. Perfect for picky eaters too.

Here’s a quick look at average costs (prices can vary a lot by location):

Even caterers often say a plated meal for 100 people can double or triple your food costs. If you’re sticking to a budget, skip the waiters and the perfectly folded napkins. Save that money for extra desserts or the dance floor.

Smart Menu Planning

If you want to feed 100 guests at your wedding and not blow the bank, smart planning is everything. First, focus on dishes that are easy to make in big batches and don’t come with crazy price tags. Affordable wedding meals often include pasta, rice dishes, soups, BBQ, or build-your-own bars (like tacos or baked potatoes). They let you stretch your dollar while still giving folks tasty choices.

Stick to foods that hold up well; no one wants soggy sandwiches or wilted salads. Hearty dishes like chili or pulled pork not only fill people up but use lower-cost ingredients. Plus, they can simmer away in big pots or slow cookers—easy for prepping and serving. You can bulk up menus with seasonal veggies, which are usually cheaper and fresher. My tip? Skip fancy hors d’oeuvres and go for crowd-pleasers—homemade sliders, roasted veggies, or a big salad bowl with mix-ins.

• Pick 3-4 main dishes max. Too many options make costs spiral.
• Go heavy on starches like bread, rice, or potatoes that are filling and budget-friendly.
• Always check for allergies or dietary needs early—nothing wastes money like untouched trays.
• If you can, shop at wholesale stores. Bulk pricing makes feeding a crowd way cheaper.

If you want some numbers to work with, check this out:

Just keep it simple and remember, the point isn’t to impress with price tags but to give your people good, filling food. That’s what makes for happy bellies and better memories.

Shop and Cook in Bulk

If you’re trying to nail affordable wedding meals, buying and cooking in bulk is your best friend. Warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, or even your local restaurant supply shop make it way easier to feed a crowd without blowing your budget. You can grab huge packs of chicken breasts, giant bags of rice or pasta, and family-sized salad mixes at prices you won’t find at your average grocery store.

Bulk cooking doesn’t just save money—it’s a serious time-saver too. One pot dishes like chili, baked ziti, pulled pork, and roasted vegetables are easy to make in advance and heat up at the venue. The trick is picking dishes that hold up well after being cooked, and don’t need fancy plating. That way, you’re not chained to the oven or freaking out about soggy salads.

“Planning a menu around bulk staples like pasta, beans, or rice means you can stretch your budget and get creative with seasonings and add-ins,” says Karen E. Petersen, chef and author of ‘Budget Banquets for Big Groups’.

Here are a few steps to stretch your dollars when shopping and cooking for big crowds:

1. Make a complete headcount and estimate food portions. For 100 guests, go with about 6-8 ounces of protein and 1 cup of sides per person—don’t overshoot, food waste gets expensive.
2. Shop wholesale for meats, grains, salad greens, and bread. Costco sells ready-made sandwich trays and party-sized side dishes that are perfect for cheap catering needs.
3. Choose recipes with overlapping ingredients. For example, you can use rotisserie chicken for both pasta bakes and salad toppers, or bulk buy beans for chili and burrito bars.
4. Cook ahead. Most big-batch recipes are freezer-friendly, so you can prep weeks before the wedding and just reheat on the big day.

Enlist family and friends for a prep party. With a little teamwork, you’ll save hours and take some of the pressure off. If your venue has kitchen space, even better—just show up and warm the food. This way, your wedding catering feels homemade, generous, and way more personal.

Presentation and Serving Tricks

The way you serve food can completely change how people feel about your wedding food—even if your menu is basic and cheap. You don’t need fancy plates or a full wait staff. Instead, focus on easy, affordable moves that make everything look intentional and welcoming. Here’s how to pull it off for wedding catering on a budget:

• Group Your Food by Color and Height: When setting up buffets or family-style tables, stack your dishes at different heights using cake stands, wooden boxes, or even upside-down mixing bowls under tablecloths. It gives the spread a "wow" factor for almost zero extra cost.
• Batch Dishes in Smaller Portions: Don’t dump everything in a few giant pans. Refill trays and platters as they go empty. This keeps food looking fresh and helps you avoid that sad, picked-over vibe when a buffet is left out too long.
• Label Everything: Print simple food labels on cardstock—bonus points for labeling vegan, gluten-free, or nut-free options. It looks pro, helps guests choose faster, and keeps lines moving.
• Use Inexpensive Serving Gear: Rent or borrow chafing dishes and serving utensils from friends or local community groups (some churches or rec centers even have them for free or cheap!). Matching trays aren’t important—neatness and tidiness matter more.
• Simplify the Drinks: Instead of a full bar, set up dispensers with signature drinks—think lemonade, iced tea, or a single wedding cocktail. You’ll save on glassware and bartenders, and guests serve themselves.

Here’s a quick look at typical serving gear costs vs. rental or borrowing options:

The takeaway: Spending a little time on how you set up affordable wedding meals makes everything more inviting. Focus on colors, labels, and keeping things replenished. Most guests care way more about how easy and welcoming the food feels than whether your serving dishes match.