How much does wedding catering cost per person in Ontario?
2026 per-plate ranges for buffet, plated, and premium menus – plus the taxes and fees people forget.
7 min read · By the Everest team · Updated October 2026
In 2026, wedding catering in Ontario runs roughly $40 to $175 per person depending on style and quality, with most couples landing around $70 to $110 per person for a mid-range plated or buffet dinner. These figures are approximate and usually do not include HST or gratuity.
- Buffet or casual: roughly $40–$70 per person.
- Mid-range plated dinner: roughly $70–$110 per person.
- Premium multi-course: roughly $110–$175+ per person.
How much is wedding catering per person in Ontario?
Per-plate pricing is the standard way caterers quote weddings. The ranges below are based on published Ontario vendor price guides and wedding-planning sites for 2026. They are approximate and vary by region, guest count, and date.
What is included in the per-person price?
This is where quotes stop being comparable, so read closely. A per-plate price usually covers the food itself. It may or may not include:
- Service staff and kitchen labour
- China, cutlery, glassware, and linens
- Cake cutting, late-night snacks, or stations
- Non-alcoholic beverages, coffee, and tea
A $60 buffet that includes rentals and staff can cost less in total than an $80 plate that charges them separately. Always ask for an all-in quote for your real guest count.
Does the price include HST and gratuity?
Usually not. Most Ontario catering quotes are before tax and service charge. Expect to add 13% HST and, commonly, a 15% to 20% gratuity or service charge on top.
| Example (mid-range plated) | 100 guests |
|---|---|
| Food at ~$90/person | $9,000 |
| Gratuity / service (~18%) | ~$1,620 |
| HST (13%) | ~$1,381 |
| Illustrative total | ~$12,000 |
This is an illustrative example, not a quote, to show how the sticker price grows once tax and gratuity are added.
What makes catering cost more or less?
- Service style. Buffets and family-style are usually cheaper than plated multi-course dinners; stations and grazing tables sit in between.
- Protein and menu. Beef tenderloin and seafood cost more than chicken or pasta.
- Guest count. Larger weddings often earn a lower per-plate price.
- Add-ons. Late-night snacks, extra courses, premium bar packages, and dietary menus all add up.
- In-house vs. outside. Venues with their own kitchen can bundle catering, which often simplifies the total.
How much of the wedding budget is catering?
Food and beverage is typically the single largest line in a wedding budget, often 30% to 40% of the total. If you are mapping the whole picture, see our guides to how much a wedding costs in Ontario and wedding venue costs.
Quick answers
Is buffet or plated cheaper for a wedding?
Buffet is usually less expensive per person because it needs fewer serving staff, though a high-end buffet with carving stations can match a plated dinner.
What is a reasonable catering budget for 100 guests in Ontario?
At a mid-range $70 to $110 per person, food alone is roughly $7,000 to $11,000 before HST and gratuity – so plan closer to $9,000 to $14,000 all in.
Do caterers charge for children and vendors?
Usually children are billed at a reduced rate and vendor meals at a lower ‘vendor meal’ price. Confirm both when you get your quote.
Why are quotes so different between caterers?
Because they include different things – staff, rentals, beverages, tax, gratuity. Compare all-in totals for the same guest count, not the headline per-plate number.
Can I lower the per-person cost?
Yes: choose a buffet or stations, pick seasonal and less expensive proteins, trim courses, host on an off-peak date, and keep the guest list tight.
Is tipping expected on top of a service charge?
If a service charge or gratuity is already on the invoice, additional tipping is optional. Read the contract so you are not charged twice.
Comparing catering in Chatham-Kent?
Everest has in-house chefs cooking everything from Continental and Italian to Indian, Nepali, and Hakka Chinese, so catering comes with the room. Ask us for a quote built around your guest count and menu.
