Once you have chosen your date and booked your venue the next big decision (both financially and in terms of importance) is the wedding catering, especially if this is not included in your venue hire. The food and drink that you and your guests enjoy on your wedding day plays an important part in your celebration and it is important to remember that your wedding catering will form a substantial amount of your budget.
Choosing a wedding caterer can be one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning but researching catering companies, looking over several menus and reading through wedding catering contracts, can be a bit confusing. It is therefore important to have a conversation with your potential caterers so you understand what is included in their wedding catering packages and quotes.
There are many factors that will affect the price of your catering services; the number of guests, the style of food, the staff levels that are required, the location of your wedding and the equipment available at the venue will all impact the cost.
At Lovejoy Catering and Events we appreciate that each wedding and event is unique, which is why we take the time to understand what our customers are looking for and what their budget is by having a fact find call/meeting with every customer. Once we understand your requirements we will then produce exact pricing for your special day. This is a fully comprehensive quote and includes everything you need and the catering prices are per person, which allows you to understand how the price will vary based on the number of guests.
Our Wedding Catering Packages
We know that couples want to make their day unique so we offer a variety of wedding catering options and packages. We ensure that all our packages include everything you need. For example, our three-course menu wedding package includes crockery, cutlery, waiting staff, kitchen staff, tablecloths, linen napkins, a tea and coffee station, kitchen equipment, set-up, tidy away, all deliveries, and any cleaning/washing-up. You can rest assured that everything is in hand!
As each wedding is unique it is difficult to provide an exact catering cost per person without having the full wedding details however the prices set out below provide a guide:
- Wedding package- 4 canapés, three-course meal and evening option – from £45 per person (inc. VAT)
- Three-course wedding breakfast – from £37 per person (inc. VAT)
- Two-course wedding breakfast – from £30 per person (inc. VAT)
Take a look at our wedding and event menu which outlines the delicious dishes available in each wedding catering package. This is by no means all we do and is a guide to the more popular options we offer.
Barbecues and Hog Roasts
A wedding breakfast barbecue or hog roast is often less expensive than a formal sit-down dinner, as much less staff, prep time and equipment are required.
With prices starting from £10 per person (inc. VAT), for the evening option, Lovejoy Catering and Events’ barbecue and hog roast options are popular at both the main wedding breakfast and the evening reception.
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea wedding catering packages have become a lot more popular over the last few years and are a great alternative to a three-course sit-down meal.
There are two ways in which an afternoon tea wedding breakfast can be served to your guests. It can be served to the table by waiting staff or buffet style, which start from £15 per person. Having your afternoon tea served to the table keeps some of the formality of the traditional wedding breakfast without them needing to queue for their food. That said, a buffet afternoon tea can provide the opportunity for guests to mingle whilst collecting their food and allow a more informal atmosphere.
Bar Services
Lovejoy Catering and Events offer a range of drink and bar services, including a fully licensed bar, to satisfy all your needs. The options below can accompany any of our wedding catering services.
Package 1 – Paid Cash Bar Package – FREE (minimum spend applies)
This option includes pop-up bar, refrigeration, glass hire, dirty glass return, equipment collection, equipment delivery, bar staff and bar equipment. If your guests hit our minimum spend there is no additional cost to you.
Package 2 – Event Bar Package – From £10 per person (inc. VAT)
You provide all the drinks, garnishes and ice and we’ll arrange the equipment (including the bar, refrigeration, glassware etc…) and the service of your drinks.
Package 3 – Staff and Glassware Package – From £5.50 per person (Inc. VAT)
This option includes glass hire and the staff to serve your drinks.
If you are not sure which package is best for you, we are happy to advise which bar services would be most suitable for your wedding as well as bespoke an option to your wedding or event.
Bespoke Packages
As part of Lovejoy Catering and Events’ highly-rated planning service, we offer a free initial fact-find call/meeting. This allows our experienced and helpful team to run through your day, discuss your plans and help you decide what catering option would work best for your budget. With over 60 years of experience as one of the best wedding caterers in Essex, we are best place to help guide and advise you on what works best for you. Together, we are able to tailor a package for your special day that fits your budget.
Additional and Hidden Costs
Lovejoy Catering and Events know how important it is for our couples to have a clear idea of the cost of their wedding catering and, therefore, we do not hide or add on any additional costs. The only thing we don’t include in our wedding packages is glassware as every wedding venue or location we go to has a different set up.
If you’d like to find out more information about our wedding catering prices in Essex, or if you would like to find out more about our wedding catering packages, you can call us on 01376 425 376 or email info@lovejoycateringandevents.co.uk. Joey and the team look forward to speaking with you.
All prices quoted are based on a 2021 wedding and are subject to change depending on the final dishes and services you select. Please, enquire for a full and comprehensive price, as we’d be happy to help.