Wedding catering in New Orleans typically runs between $36 and $52 or more per person for food alone, with bar service, staffing fees, and sales tax adding to the total.
Per-person pricing is the most common way wedding caterers quote their services, but that number can be misleading if you do not understand what it does and does not include. Knowing how to read a catering quote — and what questions to ask — makes it much easier to compare options and stay within your budget.
What Affects Per-Person Catering Costs
Several factors push the per-person price up or down. The most significant are service style, menu selections, event length, and whether bar service is included. Buffet-style service is generally the most budget-friendly format, while plated dinners and family-style meals carry supplemental fees. Stations, premium entrees, and add-ons like grazing tables or raw bars each add to the base cost.
Staffing fees are also a meaningful line item that many couples overlook when comparing packages. These are typically billed separately from food pricing and depend on the number of staff required and the length of the event.
Elysian Events Catering: Wedding Package Pricing
Elysian’s wedding packages are priced per person for buffet-style service and include eco-friendly disposable dinnerware. Menu customization is available at no extra charge. Prices below do not include staffing fees or sales tax.
| Package | Price Per Person | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Option One | $36 | 3 passed hors d’oeuvres, 1 salad, 2 main entrees, 1 side |
| Option Two | $42 | 4 passed hors d’oeuvres, 1 salad, 2 main or premium entrees, 2 sides |
| Option Three | $46 | 4 passed hors d’oeuvres, 1 salad, 1 main entree, 1 station, 2 sides |
| Option Four | $52 | 5 passed hors d’oeuvres, 1 salad, 1 main or premium entree, 1 station, 2 sides |
What Is Not Included in Package Pricing
A few cost categories sit outside the per-person package price and are worth accounting for separately when building your wedding catering budget:
- Staffing fees: Billed based on the number of staff needed and event length
- Sales tax: Applied to the total catering bill
- Bar catering: Priced separately, starting at $25 per person for a 4-hour event
- Rental packages: Optional upgrades beyond eco-friendly disposable dinnerware
- Service style upgrades: Family-style and plated service carry supplemental fees above buffet pricing
For a fuller picture of what goes into the total cost of a New Orleans wedding, this breakdown of New Orleans wedding costs covers catering alongside other vendor categories. If you are working with a tighter budget, these tips for avoiding wedding budget overruns are worth reading before you finalize anything.
Buffet vs. Plated: How Service Style Affects Your Bill
Buffet service is the most affordable format and the baseline for Elysian’s package pricing. Plated dinners add a supplemental fee per person due to the additional labor involved. For many couples, buffet service is not just the budget-friendly option — it is genuinely the better fit for the relaxed, convivial atmosphere that New Orleans weddings tend to have.
If you are weighing service styles, this comparison of plated vs. buffet weddings walks through the tradeoffs clearly. For couples looking to stretch their food budget without sacrificing quality, buffet wedding food ideas on a budget offers practical menu suggestions that hold up well at scale.
According to CNBC’s reporting on the catering industry, food costs and labor expenses have increased across the board in recent years — making the value of transparent, itemized pricing from a caterer more important than ever for couples budgeting their wedding.
Getting an Accurate Quote
The most reliable way to understand what your wedding catering will cost is to get a custom quote based on your headcount, menu choices, service style, and event details. General per-person figures give you a starting point, but your final number will depend on the specifics. You can browse the full menu options on the wedding packages menu page to get a sense of what selections are available at each tier.
To request a quote or talk through what your budget can realistically cover, reach out to Elysian Events Catering directly. They will walk you through the options without pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average per-person cost for wedding catering in New Orleans?
For buffet-style service from an established New Orleans caterer, expect to pay roughly $36 to $55 or more per person for food. Elysian’s packages start at $36 per person and go up to $52, not including bar service, staffing, or sales tax.
Is bar service included in wedding catering per-person pricing?
Not typically. Bar service is priced separately and starts at $25 per person for a 4-hour event through Elysian’s Basic package. Premium bar options run up to $37 per person before staffing fees.
What is not included in a catering per-person price?
Most per-person catering quotes cover food and basic disposable dinnerware but exclude staffing fees, sales tax, bar service, rental upgrades, and service style supplements for plated or family-style meals. Always ask your caterer for an itemized estimate.
Does Elysian charge more for plated or family-style service?
Yes. Elysian’s published package pricing is based on buffet-style service. Plated and family-style service are available for a supplemental fee. Contact them directly for pricing based on your preferred format.
Does Elysian offer eco-friendly dinnerware with their wedding packages?
Yes. Eco-friendly disposable dinnerware is included in all of Elysian’s wedding package pricing. Rental upgrades are available for couples who prefer traditional tableware.