Whether you're planning a large family event, a business meeting, or an intimate dinner party, full-service catering will ensure your guests have delicious and memorable food to enjoy. Budgeting is an important part of successful party planning, so you want to have a rough idea of how much catering will cost so you can allocate funds appropriately and stay within budget parameters. Here are a few tips for calculating full-service catering expenses.

How to Calculate Catering Costs

1. Get an Accurate Headcount

Having an accurate headcount lets the caterer know how much food to prepare, which is the biggest factor in determining what your overall cost will be. When you send out invitations, include RSVPs that ask each guest to record the number of people they're bringing with them. 

Make sure to state a clear deadline by which all RSVPs need to be received. After they've all been turned in, give the caterer a headcount, and they can calculate a more exact cost for the event.

2. Choose the Right Catering Style

Full-service catering can take any number of different forms, depending on the needs of your event. Buffets, plated meals, and family-style serving are the most popular options, but they each tend to come with different price tags. For instance, plated meals will often cost more because they require table service, which means more staff. 

Buffets are the most affordable because guests serve themselves and catering staff needs are minimal. Consider what type of catering works best with the amount of money you have in your budget.

3. Factor in a Gratuity

In most cases, full-service catering requires a gratuity. It might be built into the total cost of the event, or you may need to determine the amount yourself; 15 percent of the total bill is the typical industry minimum. Of course, the gratuity total will depend on the size of your event, the catering style, and the type of food served; bear these factors in mind when planning and budgeting so you can calculate exactly how much the gratuity—and the overall catering—will cost.

Have your next event catered with authentic Persian food from Sufi's Kitchen. Located in Atlanta, GA, they will guide you at every step of the planning process and prepare the most unforgettable menu for your guests. They also have a restaurant location where you can try any of their mouthwatering menu selections. Call (404) 888-9699 to request a quote or visit them online to browse their services.