Is a DIY Wedding Actually Cheaper? The Real Cost of Wedding Catering

Everyone talks about saving money by doing your own wedding catering. You see Instagram posts of rustic tables piled high with homemade pies, charcuterie boards from the farmers market, and wine bottles bought in bulk. It looks romantic. It looks affordable. But here’s the truth most bloggers won’t tell you: DIY wedding catering often costs more than you think - and takes way more time than you’re ready for.

What You Think You’ll Save

You sit down with a spreadsheet and imagine this: $15 per person for a caterer’s plated meal. You’ll make your own pasta, buy cheese in bulk, and serve wine from the local co-op. That’s $8 per person. You’re saving $700 for a 100-person wedding. Sounds like a win.

But you’re forgetting the hidden stuff.

First, you need equipment. Do you have enough serving platters, chafing dishes, napkins, utensils, and glassware for 100 people? If not, you’re renting. A basic rental package for 100 guests in Auckland runs $450. Add ice buckets, tongs, labels, and linen table runners - another $200. You’re already at $650 in rentals, and you haven’t bought a single ingredient yet.

Then there’s food waste. You don’t want to run out. So you buy extra. A caterer plans portions based on decades of experience. You? You eyeball it. You buy 15 pounds of chicken when 10 would’ve been enough. You buy three bottles of wine per person because you’re nervous. You end up with $300 in untouched food that goes bad after the wedding.

The Time You’re Not Accounting For

Let’s say you’re making 100 meatballs. That’s not just mixing and baking. It’s shopping, prepping, portioning, freezing, thawing, reheating, and plating. That’s 12 hours of work - not counting the day before, when you’re cleaning the kitchen, setting up serving stations, and figuring out how to keep food warm without a caterer’s professional gear.

Most people think they’ll get friends to help. But your cousin who said she’d "do the desserts" ends up sick. Your best friend who promised to chop veggies has a family emergency. Suddenly, you’re the one standing in a steamy kitchen at 4 a.m. on your wedding day, trying to keep lasagna from sticking to the pan while your dress is hanging in the bathroom.

Wedding planning already eats up 200+ hours. Adding 30-50 hours of catering prep isn’t "saving money." It’s burning out your energy before you even say "I do."

What Caterers Actually Do (That You’re Not Seeing)

A caterer doesn’t just bring food. They bring logistics.

• Permits for outdoor cooking in public parks - you didn’t know you needed those, right?
• Health department compliance - their kitchen is inspected. Yours isn’t.
• Staff to serve, clear, and clean - 3-5 trained people who know how to handle glassware without breaking it.
• Backup plans when the oven breaks or the delivery truck is late.
• Waste removal - they haul away 50 pounds of trash and dirty dishes. You? You’re cleaning it yourself.

In Auckland, a mid-range caterer charges $45-$65 per person for a plated meal with service. That includes everything: food, staff, rentals, permits, cleanup. For 100 guests, that’s $4,500-$6,500.

Now, add up your DIY costs:

• Food: $1,800
• Rentals: $650
• Waste and cleanup: $200 (trash bags, bins, cleaning supplies)
• Time: $1,000 (what you’d earn working a regular job for those 50 hours)
• Food waste: $300
• Stress-related medical costs (headaches, sleepless nights, panic attacks): priceless - but real.

Your DIY total? $3,950. You’re saving $550-$2,550. Sounds good - until you realize you’re trading money for your peace of mind, your energy, and your actual wedding day.

The Real Trade-Off: Money vs. Memory

On your wedding day, you want to dance. You want to hug your parents. You want to laugh with your friends. You don’t want to be the person running around checking if the pasta is done, or apologizing because the wine ran out.

One bride in Wellington did a DIY buffet. She spent $4,200 and worked 60 hours. She cried during the first toast because she was too exhausted to enjoy it. Her guests loved the food. But she didn’t remember a single moment.

Another couple hired a local Auckland caterer for $5,800. They spent $200 on a single dessert cake they made together. They danced until midnight. They still talk about how calm they felt.

What Actually Saves Money (Without the Stress)

You don’t have to go full DIY to cut costs. Here’s what works:

• Choose a lunch wedding. Lunch menus are cheaper than dinner. You can save $15-$25 per person.
• Go for a family-style meal. No plated service means fewer staff. Caterers charge less.
• Use a seasonal menu. Local, in-season ingredients cost less. Think pumpkin risotto in autumn, stone fruit salad in summer.
• Limit the bar. Offer wine, beer, and sparkling water. Skip the signature cocktails. Save $10-$15 per person.
• Ask your caterer if they do "partial catering." They bring the main dishes. You supply the sides or dessert. You get control without the chaos.

One couple in Christchurch saved $2,000 by doing a DIY dessert table. They bought cookies from a local bakery and arranged them on vintage plates. They didn’t bake a thing. They still had time to dance. Their guests still raved.

When DIY Catering Might Actually Work

There are exceptions.

If you’re having a tiny wedding - under 30 people - and you’re a seasoned home cook with extra kitchen space, a reliable fridge, and a team of people who actually show up… then maybe.

If you’re doing a picnic-style wedding in your backyard, and you’ve done this before - like, you’ve hosted 50-person BBQs without stress - then maybe.

But if you’re not already a foodie who loves cooking for crowds? Skip it.

Wedding catering isn’t about saving money. It’s about protecting your joy.

Final Thought: What’s Your Real Budget?

Your budget isn’t just dollars. It’s sleep. It’s laughter. It’s the moment you look at your partner and realize you’re not stressed - you’re happy.

DIY catering might save you a few hundred bucks. But it can cost you the memory you’ve been dreaming of.

Ask yourself: Do you want a wedding with perfect food… or a wedding you actually remember?