A friendly guide to understanding how event size, season, and minimums can affect catering pricing.
Planning an event comes with a lot of exciting decisions: the menu, the location, the guest list, the overall feel of the celebration, and of course, the budget. One detail that has a big impact on catering pricing is the number of guests attending.
At From Scratch Catering & Event Planning, we always do our best to accommodate events of all sizes. While our company is built to support custom events, especially larger gatherings, we also understand that smaller celebrations can be just as meaningful.
Whether you are planning an intimate dinner, a company gathering, a wedding-related event, or a private party, we want you to have a clear understanding of how guest count affects pricing.
Why smaller events are priced differently
Catering pricing is not only based on the food itself. Every event also involves planning time, ordering, preparation, staffing, transportation, setup, service, cleanup, and administrative support. Many of those costs stay relatively consistent whether we are serving 30 guests or 300 guests.
Because of that, smaller events may have adjusted menu pricing or food and beverage minimums. These adjustments help us provide the same level of quality, service, and attention to detail that guests expect from a professionally catered event.
Peak season events
Our peak season runs from May through December, which is when demand for events is highest. During this time, our menu pricing is designed for groups of 100 guests or more.
For smaller groups during peak season, menu pricing may be adjusted based on guest count:
Food and beverage minimums also apply during peak season. These minimums do not include travel, staffing, administrative fees, or sales tax.
Off-peak season events
Our off-peak season runs from January through April. During these months, we have more flexibility for smaller groups. Menu pricing is accurate for groups of 50 guests or more.
For smaller groups during off-peak season, the following adjustments may apply:
Off-peak season food and beverage minimums are:
What this means for your event
The most important thing to know is that we want to help you create the best event possible for your guest count, season, and budget. Smaller events are absolutely welcome, but pricing may look different than it does for larger events because the planning, preparation, staffing, and service needs are still part of the overall experience.
When you reach out to us, sharing your estimated guest count, event date, location, and style of service will help us provide the most accurate guidance. From there, we can walk you through options that make sense for your celebration.
Let’s plan something memorable
No two events are exactly the same, and that is one of the things we love most about catering. Whether you are hosting a small gathering or a large celebration, our goal is to provide thoughtful service, delicious food, and a smooth planning experience from start to finish.
Ready to start planning? Contact From Scratch Catering & Event Planning, and we will help you find the right fit for your event.