When planning your wedding, you should budget a minimum of $100 per guest. That price could go up or down depending on the food being served and if you are providing any alcohol. If, for instance, you are hosting a wedding with a simple cocktail hour, a buffet dinner and a cash bar, $100 per person should be more than adequate. If, however, you’re serving fancy hors d'oeuvres and signature cocktails, an elaborate sit-down meal and an open bar, $150-$200 would be needed to cover the cost. As a rule of thumb, the average cost of catering a 100-person wedding in the U.S. ranges between $8,500 to $10,000.