Wedding Catering Costs: The Complete Guide for Australian Couples

Waitstaff serving canapés at a Sydney wedding

Your wedding is a meaningful milestone that deserves a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

Behind this special day are months of careful planning, so every detail should feel just right. The food is no small part of that. 

Couples across Australia see wedding catering as an investment, as long as the quality, taste, and overall experience deliver. 

But knowing marriage catering prices and how to get the most from that spend is where it can start to feel overwhelming.

This guide, prepared by the Sydney wedding catering experts, Catered by Matt, walks you through wedding catering costs in Australia, what influences them, and how to balance taste, quality, logistics, and experience. 

Catering you’ll feel good saying “yes” to.

How Much Does Wedding Catering Cost per Person?

As a general guide, Australian couples spend between $4,000 and $20,000+ on catering, with the national average catering cost sitting around $10,000 for approximately 100 guests.

Please note: all price ranges below are general estimates based on industry data. Actual costs will vary by caterer, region, and the specifics of your event. Always request a detailed, personalised quote.

Typical Price Ranges by Catering Package

  • Budget to Casual ($35–$80 per person). Think food trucks, cocktail-style service, or straightforward buffets.
  • Moderate ($100–$150 per person). Standard three-course seated meals, shared banquets, or grazing table formats.
  • Premium ($150–$220+ per person). High-end plated multi-course service, premium beverage packages, and refined canapé presentations.
Roaming waitstaff serves cocktails at a Sydney wedding venue
Guests enjoy wedding catering dishes served by waitstaff

Average Marriage Catering Prices by State

In New South Wales, the average cost of wedding catering sits at approximately $7,792, which is the highest of any Australian state.

By comparison, couples in the Australian Capital Territory spend an average of around $3,969. 

A wedding catering budget for 40 guests might land around $5,000, while a 160-guest celebration could easily reach $20,000 or more.

What Affects Wedding Catering Prices?

Wedding catering costs mainly come down to your guest count, catering style, wedding venue, timing, and beverage choices.

Peak season dates and Saturday evenings often carry higher rates, and dry-hire venues may add extra costs for equipment and logistics.

Beverage selection also plays a big role, with beer and wine being more cost-effective than full bar packages.

Barista serves cocktails at a wedding reception in Sydney

How to Choose the Best Wedding Caterer

Your wedding should look, feel, and taste exactly as you imagined. 

At Catered by Matt, we pair premium, chef-crafted menus with polished, attentive service to create an experience that reflects your vision, complements your venue, and leaves your guests genuinely impressed. 

From the first canapé to the final farewell, every detail is anticipated and managed with total precision.

Select the Perfect Menu for Your Big Day

Generous, abundant, and perfect for a relaxed reception. Guests serve themselves or share dishes across the table, creating a warm, social atmosphere. Ideal for longer, more conversational evenings.

Fluid, social, and effortlessly elegant. Small, refined bites circulate throughout the event, keeping guests moving, mingling, and engaged without the structure of a sit-down meal.

Structured, refined, and quietly impressive. A multi-course dining experience led by chefs, with each dish thoughtfully paced and presented. Best suited for couples who want a more formal, restaurant-style reception.

Our Wedding Catering Services

Catered by Matt is your complete wedding catering partner, making every stage of planning seamless, stress-free, and entirely taken care of.

Staffing

Our professional chefs, waitstaff, and bar staff deliver polished, attentive service from the first arrival to the final farewell.

Wedding Cake Cutting

We handle the cutting and presentation of your wedding cake with care, so every slice looks as good as the photos.

Equipment Hire

We work with trusted hire partners to manage all your rental needs, from glassware and tableware to linen and serving equipment.

Trusted Wedding Partners

Our network of premium photographers, florists, décor specialists, champagne tower stylists, share our commitment to quality.

Why Catered by Matt is Sydney's Trusted Wedding Caterer

Here’s what consistently earns Catered by Matt a 5-star rating across 220+ Google Reviews:

Seamless wedding planning, start to finish

Clear communication. Fast responses. From your first enquiry through to the final clean-up, everything runs like clockwork on your wedding day.

Guests enjoying wine at a wedding reception in Sydney
Gourmet steak presentation at a wedding venue

Restaurant-quality food by Sydney’s best chefs

Every dish is designed to impress, delight, and be remembered long after the last guest leaves.

Bringing luxury to your wedding

The same exceptional standard that earned us the trust of Ferrari, Porsche, and Celine goes into every wedding we cater.

Catered by Matt waitstaff serving wine at a wedding
Chef Matt plating colorful canapés at a Sydney wedding venue

Fully managed wedding catering

Catered by Matt is a complete, full-service catering partner. We arrive with the food, the waitstaff, and the expertise, and we leave with everything cleaned up.

Five-star wedding catering across Sydney

From the Northern Beaches and North Shore to the Inner West and CBD, we bring exceptional food and refined catering experience to weddings across Sydney.

Sydney Harbour Bridge overlooking the harbour in Sydney

What Our Clients Say About Our Wedding Catering Services

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 rating across 220+ reviews

Ged Calo

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

“Best Catering Company in Sydney.”

Matt’s team catered our surprise wedding, and we couldn’t have been happier. The food was absolutely amazing, and the service was exceptional from start to finish. A huge thank you to Vincent, Martin, and Caleb. You were all outstanding. Without a doubt, the best catering company in Sydney.

 

Emily Kirby

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

“1000% Recommend”

Matt and his team couldn’t have been better. The food was a 10/10, and the service was brilliant. Every guest raved about both the range of canapés and the efficient service. We would 1000% recommend them to anyone.

 

Minnet Hedger

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

“Best Decision We’ve Ever Made”

We had Matt and George cater our wedding, and it was honestly the best decision we made. Each dish was sensational, and they were so accommodating with our dietary-heavy group. Simply the best Sydney catering service you’ll find.

Wedding Catering FAQs

What wedding catering services do you offer?

Full-service wedding catering Sydney couples trust: gourmet canapés, grazing tables, shared buffets, multi-course degustations, staffing, cake cutting, equipment hire coordination, and trusted partner vendors.

Can you provide staff for my wedding?

Yes. Our talented team includes expert chefs, polished wait staff, and bar staff to ensure every guest is looked after from the first arrival to the final farewell.

Do you use seasonal produce in your catering services?

Absolutely. We focus on using seasonal produce from trusted local suppliers to deliver fresh, flavourful dishes that suit your wedding style. This commitment to quality is one of the reasons we’re a top choice for catering Sydney weddings.


Can you recommend a menu that suits my wedding style and venue?

Yes. We offer personalised menu planning to match your wedding vision, whether you’re hosting a garden ceremony with shared platters or a formal reception with multiple courses.


Do you provide tastings before the wedding?

Yes. We offer menu tastings so you can experience our food and finalise your perfect wedding menu with confidence.


Can you cater for different parts of my wedding day?

Definitely, we can design a seamless menu that flows from pre-ceremony drinks to cocktail hour, reception dinner, and late-night grazing tables.


Do you provide beverage service staff?

Yes. Our RSA-certified bar team can serve champagne, mix cocktails, and manage beverage service throughout your wedding.


Do you cater for dietary requirements at weddings?

Our wedding catering menus can be customised to accommodate a wide range of dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other allergies or preferences

Simply let us know your guests’ needs during menu planning, and our talented team will create beautifully presented alternatives so no one misses out.


How far in advance should I book my wedding catering?

We recommend booking as early as possible to secure your date, especially during peak wedding season.


Do you provide drop-off catering for weddings?

Yes. For casual private events or intimate receptions, we can have our chefs arrive onsite and set up a beautifully presented grazing table ready for your guests to enjoy.


Do you provide catering services for venues outside the Sydney CBD?

Yes. We offer catering services throughout all of Sydney, including Western Sydney, The Sutherland Shire, Lower North Shore, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs, and the greater Sydney metro.