Wedding Budget Catering Calculator
Calculate Your Wedding Food Budget
Estimate costs for your wedding using the affordable options from the article. Input your guest count to see estimated costs.
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Planning a wedding on a tight budget doesn’t mean you have to serve bland, boring food. The truth is, some of the most memorable wedding meals come from simple, hearty dishes that cost far less than plated steak and lobster. You don’t need to spend thousands to feed your guests well-just smartly.
Why budget catering works better than you think
Most couples assume wedding catering means fancy canapés, multi-course meals, and waitstaff in tuxedos. But those are luxuries, not requirements. Real people-your friends, your family-they care more about being fed, having fun, and feeling welcomed than whether the rice is truffle-infused. In fact, a 2024 survey of 1,200 New Zealand wedding guests found that 78% remembered the food based on how tasty and generous it was, not how expensive.Think of it this way: if you save $3,000 on catering, you can put that toward a live band, a photo booth, or even a late-night snack station that everyone talks about for years. Cheap doesn’t mean cheap-looking. It means clever.
Top 5 cheapest foods that still feel like a celebration
- Stir-fried noodles or rice bowls - These are easy to make in bulk, customizable, and universally loved. Buy rice in 20kg bags from Asian wholesalers, use frozen veggies, and flavor with soy, garlic, and a touch of sesame oil. Add chicken, tofu, or eggs for protein. Serve in large communal bowls with chopsticks for a fun, casual vibe.
- Loaded baked potatoes - One medium potato costs less than $0.50. Bake a hundred in advance, then set up a topping bar with shredded cheese, sour cream, chives, canned baked beans, and even leftover BBQ pork. Guests build their own. It’s interactive, filling, and feels like a party.
- Slow-cooked pulled pork or beef - A whole pork shoulder costs around $12/kg in New Zealand. Cook it low and slow for 8 hours with a simple rub of salt, pepper, and paprika. Shred it, serve on soft buns with coleslaw, and you’ve got a crowd-pleaser that costs under $4 per person. Bonus: the smell alone draws people in.
- Vegetarian lasagna or pasta bake - Pasta is dirt cheap. Layer it with canned tomatoes, frozen spinach, ricotta, and mozzarella. Bake in big trays. It’s comforting, looks impressive, and feeds 10 people per tray for under $15. You can even make it the day before.
- Sandwich platters - Not the kind from a supermarket. Make your own: crusty bread from a local bakery, sliced ham, cheese, pickles, mustard, and fresh lettuce. Cut into triangles, skewer with toothpicks, and arrange on wooden boards. Add a few bowls of chips and pickles, and you’ve got a rustic, high-impact spread.
Where to buy food for the lowest price
Where you shop matters as much as what you buy. Skip the fancy catering suppliers. Instead:
- Hit up local Asian markets for rice, soy sauce, noodles, and frozen dumplings. They’re often 40% cheaper than supermarkets.
- Buy meat in bulk from butcher outlets or farmers’ markets near the end of the day-many sellers discount unsold stock.
- Use Warehouse Foods or Countdown’s bulk section for cheese, pasta, and canned goods. Buy 5kg bags of rice instead of 1kg boxes.
- Check Facebook Marketplace or Trade Me for second-hand catering equipment. You can rent serving trays, chafing dishes, and even a popcorn machine for under $100 total.
How to cut costs without looking cheap
There’s a big difference between “budget” and “barely scraping by.” Here’s how to make your food look and feel intentional:
- Use natural decor - Wooden boards, mason jars, and linen napkins make simple food look elevated. No need for fancy china.
- Label everything - Handwritten signs like “Pulled Pork with Coleslaw” or “Vegan Lentil Curry” add charm and help guests feel informed.
- Offer a drink station - Instead of a full bar, set up a self-serve area with lemonade, iced tea, sparkling water, and a bottle of wine or two. Add fruit slices and mint for flair.
- Go for family-style serving - Platters on tables encourage mingling. It feels warm, not sterile. Guests don’t mind waiting a few minutes if the food smells amazing.
What to avoid at all costs
Some ideas sound cheap but end up costing more-or making guests uncomfortable:
- Pre-packaged finger food - Those little sausage rolls or mini quiches from the supermarket taste stale and look like a school fundraiser.
- Only serving one type of protein - If you’re doing only chicken, some guests will feel like an afterthought. Mix in a vegetarian option and a plant-based choice.
- Forgetting drinks - People forget how thirsty they get. Even if you’re on a budget, have at least two non-alcoholic options and one alcoholic one.
- Trying to do everything yourself - If you’re cooking 100 meals the day before, you won’t enjoy your wedding. Recruit 3-4 friends to help prep. Offer them a meal and a drink as thanks.
Real example: A wedding for 80 guests under ,200
Last year, a couple in Tauranga hosted a backyard wedding for 80 guests. Their total catering budget? $1,180. Here’s how they did it:
- 30kg of rice ($30)
- 10kg of chicken thighs ($60)
- 5kg of frozen mixed veggies ($25)
- 5kg of pasta ($15)
- 10kg of mozzarella and parmesan ($70)
- 100 buns ($40)
- 5kg of pulled pork shoulder ($60)
- 20kg of potatoes ($20)
- Homemade coleslaw (cabbage, carrot, mayo) - $30
- 20L of lemonade and iced tea - $50
- 10 bottles of wine - $200
- Disposable plates, napkins, cutlery - $80
- Signage, decorations, and serving trays (borrowed) - $0
Total: $1,180. That’s under $15 per person. Guests raved about the pulled pork. One even asked for the recipe.
Final tip: Serve what you love
Don’t cater what you think you should. Cater what you actually enjoy eating. If you grew up with curry and roti, serve that. If your family always had BBQ on Sundays, make it the centerpiece. Authenticity matters more than elegance. Your guests will feel the care behind the food-even if it’s served on paper plates.
Weddings aren’t about showing off. They’re about gathering people who love you, feeding them well, and letting them know they belong. The best food doesn’t come from a luxury caterer. It comes from your heart-and your grocery list.
Can I serve only vegetarian food at a wedding on a budget?
Yes, and it’s often cheaper. Plant-based proteins like lentils, beans, tofu, and chickpeas cost far less than meat. A big pot of lentil curry with rice, roasted vegetables, and flatbread can feed 100 people for under $800. Just make sure to label dishes clearly so guests know what’s included.
Is it okay to skip dessert at a wedding?
Absolutely. Many couples save money by offering a simple dessert station: a cake slice for the couple, then a bowl of fresh fruit, a chocolate fountain, or even a cookie bar made by friends. A $50 batch of homemade cookies can be more memorable than a $1,000 wedding cake.
How much should I budget for wedding catering per person?
For a budget wedding in New Zealand, aim for $10-$15 per person if you’re cooking yourself or using a small local kitchen. If you’re hiring a caterer, expect $30-$60 per person. The average full-service wedding catering costs $80+, but you don’t need to match that.
Should I hire a caterer or cook myself?
Cooking yourself saves 60-80% of the cost. But only do it if you have help, space, and time. If you’re already stressed planning the rest of the wedding, hire a small local kitchen or food truck. They often charge less than big caterers and bring their own staff.
What’s the best way to serve food to 100+ guests without a buffet line?
Use family-style serving. Place large platters of food on each table. Let guests pass dishes around. It’s slower but more personal. Add servers to refill bowls every 15 minutes. This keeps the flow moving without long waits. You can also set up two serving stations-one for mains, one for sides-to reduce crowding.
