20 Best Wedding Caterers Melbourne 2026: Prices, Menus & Catering Guide

Food is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning a wedding.

It’s also one of the easiest parts of a wedding budget to underestimate.

A catering proposal might say “$85 per person”, but what does that actually include? Are chefs and waiters included? What about crockery, glassware, linen, dietary meals, cake cutting, setup, pack-down and travel?

And then there’s an even bigger question:

What style of wedding catering actually suits your reception?

A formal three-course dinner creates a very different wedding from shared platters, roaming canapés, a buffet, live-fire BBQ or food trucks.

Melbourne has an enormous wedding catering industry covering everything from premium bespoke dining to backyard weddings, multicultural celebrations, Yarra Valley winery receptions, Mornington Peninsula weddings and cocktail parties.

Having operated as a Melbourne hotel, wedding reception venue and function centre for more than five decades, Brighton Savoy has seen firsthand how much difference catering makes to the flow of a wedding.

Great food matters.

But so do timing, staffing, portion sizes, dietary requirements, kitchen facilities, service and communication between the caterer and venue.

We’ve researched the Melbourne wedding catering market to create this updated guide to some of the best wedding caterers in Melbourne in 2026, along with practical advice to help you compare them.

Last researched and updated: 25 August 2026

Pricing note: Catering prices, packages and inclusions change regularly. Published prices mentioned in this guide were current when researched. Always obtain a current written quotation directly from the caterer before booking.

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Quick Answer: What Are Some of the Best Wedding Caterers in Melbourne?

Some Melbourne wedding caterers worth considering in 2026 include HLB Catering for transparent published pricing, Essential Catering + Events for private-property weddings, Cookes Food & Events and Food & Desire for premium events, Damm Good Catering for bespoke fine dining, Peter Rowland for large full-service weddings, Muse Events for live-fire cooking, and Spitting Image for BBQ and relaxed receptions.

But there isn’t one caterer that’s best for every wedding.

The right choice depends on your:

• guest numbers
• venue
• budget
• wedding style
• dietary requirements
• cultural requirements
• location
• preferred service format.

The best caterer for a formal 250-person ballroom wedding may be completely different from the best caterer for an 80-person wedding at a private property.

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Melbourne Wedding Caterers: Quick Comparison

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1. HLB Catering

Best for: Transparent pricing and couples comparing catering styles
Catering styles: Canapés, cocktail, shared feast and plated
Private-property catering: Yes
Published pricing: Yes

HLB Catering wedding catering website

HLB is particularly useful for couples trying to establish a realistic wedding catering budget because it publishes unusually detailed current pricing.

At the time of our August 2026 research, HLB advertised:

• Signature Cocktail Package: $75 per person
• Shared Feast: $90 per person
• two-course plated dinner: $85 per person
• three-course plated dinner: $110 per person
• four-course plated dinner: $125 per person.

Its cocktail package includes three canapés, two hearty bites and three bowl-food dishes over three hours, with staff and chef included. Its shared feast includes canapés, two shared mains, four sides and dessert, while its plated packages include crockery, cutlery and linen. Prices are stated as including GST.

HLB also advertises complimentary canapé tastings for weddings of 70 or more guests.

Brighton Savoy view: One of the best places to start if you want to understand the relationship between catering format, inclusions and price before requesting quotes.

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2. Essential Catering + Events

Best for: Full-service and private-property weddings
Catering styles: Finger food, cocktail, plated and shared dining
Service area: Melbourne and surrounding regions
Private-property catering: Yes

Essential Catering + Events

Essential Catering + Events is a Bayswater North-based caterer with more than 16 years’ experience and dedicated wedding catering services.

Its ability to work away from traditional function centres makes it particularly relevant for private-property, marquee and regional weddings where catering logistics can become more complicated.

Brighton Savoy view: A strong option to compare if your wedding is somewhere other than a conventional reception venue.

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3. Cookes Food & Events

Best for: Premium bespoke weddings
Catering style: Individually designed menus
Private-property weddings: Yes
Large weddings: Yes

Cookes takes a bespoke approach rather than forcing every couple into a small selection of standard wedding packages.

That makes it particularly relevant where catering is intended to be a major creative part of the wedding rather than simply selecting entrée A and main course B.

Brighton Savoy view: One to investigate for premium private-property and bespoke weddings where food and hospitality are central to the experience.

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4. Food & Desire

Best for: Premium weddings and integrated event experiences
Off-site catering: Yes
Venue-based weddings: Yes
Kosher catering: Available

Food & Desire

Food & Desire is a substantial Melbourne catering and events company capable of combining catering with broader event planning and venue services.

One particularly useful point for Melbourne’s Jewish wedding market is its kosher catering capability. Couples requiring supervised kosher catering should discuss the current arrangements and required level of supervision directly with the company.

Brighton Savoy view: Particularly worth investigating for premium weddings where catering, venue and event production need to work together.

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5. Damm Good Catering

Best for: Bespoke contemporary and fine-dining weddings
Catering styles: Canapés through to multi-course degustation
Service area: Greater Melbourne and regional Victoria
Tastings: Available

Damm Good is based in Elsternwick and offers bespoke wedding catering across Melbourne and regional Victoria, including the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Dandenong Ranges, Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula.

Its current offering ranges from canapés to multi-course dining, with menu tastings, event planning, setup and clean-down. The company also offers more elaborate five to twelve-course degustation experiences for couples looking for something at the fine-dining end of the market.

Brighton Savoy view: A strong option for couples wanting contemporary premium catering rather than a conventional fixed wedding package.

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6. Peter Rowland Group

Best for: Large, premium and full-service weddings
Experience: Catering since 1962
Catering styles: Cocktail, banquet, buffet and multi-course dining

Peter Rowland is one of Melbourne’s longest-established event catering businesses, having operated since 1962.

Its current wedding services range from intimate garden celebrations to large ballroom and winery receptions, with canapés, shared feasts and multi-course dining available. The company also works across a collection of Victorian wedding venues.

Brighton Savoy view: Particularly relevant if you want an experienced large-scale operator capable of coordinating catering, beverages, service and wider event requirements.

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7. Muse Events

Best for: Live-fire cooking and produce-led weddings
Style: Contemporary Australian/live-fire
Private properties: Yes
Regional weddings: Available

Muse is a Port Melbourne caterer with a distinctive approach centred around contemporary food and live-fire cooking.

That can work particularly well for winery, farm and private-property weddings where watching food being prepared becomes part of the event.

Brighton Savoy view: An interesting alternative for couples who want catering to provide some theatre rather than disappearing completely behind the scenes.

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8. The Catering Company

Best for: Couples wanting plenty of service-format choices
Styles: Plated, shared dining, canapés and event catering
Private events: Yes

The Catering Company is based in Kensington and offers a broad selection of event formats.

It’s worth comparing if you’re still deciding between traditional plated dining, shared feasting and a more relaxed canapé-style reception.

Brighton Savoy view: A useful all-round option where flexibility of service style is important.

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9. Catering By Chefs

Best for: Flexible off-site and Bayside weddings
Styles: Canapés, BBQ, plated meals and event catering
Private property: Yes

Catering By Chefs – Birthday, Party, Event & Finger Food Catering Melbourne

Based in Hampton, Catering By Chefs is particularly relevant for Bayside weddings and couples holding receptions at private properties or unconventional venues.

Brighton Savoy view: Definitely worth considering for Bayside, backyard, beachside and private-property celebrations.

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10. Olive & Thyme Catering

Best for: Mediterranean-inspired weddings and shared feasting
Styles: Grazing, canapés, buffet, plated and feasting

Olive & Thyme is a Clayton South-based catering company particularly suited to couples attracted to Mediterranean-style food and generous shared dining.

This style can work beautifully for weddings where food is intended to feel abundant and communal rather than highly formal.

Brighton Savoy view: An appealing option for shared-feast and Mediterranean-inspired celebrations.

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11. Going Gourmet

Best for: Couples wanting lots of menu-format flexibility
Styles: Canapés, feasting, BBQ, buffet, plated and grazing
Regional Victoria: Yes

Going Gourmet is another Clayton South-based caterer with a broad range of service styles.

This makes it useful if you’re comparing several different concepts and haven’t yet decided whether the reception should be cocktail, shared, BBQ, buffet or plated.

Brighton Savoy view: A strong all-rounder when flexibility is more important than locking yourself into one dining format.

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12. Spitting Image Catering

Best for: BBQ, spit-roast and relaxed weddings
Styles: Spit roast, BBQ, finger food and event catering
Regional Victoria: Yes

Not every wedding needs tiny canapés followed by alternate-drop beef and fish.

For country, backyard and private-property weddings, BBQ and spit-roast catering can create a more relaxed and generous atmosphere.

Brighton Savoy view: A good candidate where hearty, informal food suits the wedding better than fine-dining presentation.

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13. Black Truffle Catering

Best for: Contemporary Melbourne weddings
Styles: Canapés through to multi-course dining
Location: Collingwood

Black Truffle is an established Collingwood caterer offering contemporary event catering.

It is particularly worth comparing where food presentation and a polished modern style are important.

Brighton Savoy view: Add it to the shortlist if you’re comparing contemporary premium Melbourne caterers.

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14. Big Flavours Catering

Best for: Flexible private-property and event catering
Location: Oakleigh

Big Flavours is an established Oakleigh-based event caterer and another useful option for less conventional wedding formats.

Brighton Savoy view: Worth comparing for private-property and relaxed receptions where flexibility matters.

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15. Diamond Blue Catering

Best for: Eastern Melbourne and Yarra Valley weddings
Location: Mount Evelyn
Styles: Multiple catering formats

Diamond Blue wedding catering

Based in Mount Evelyn, Diamond Blue is geographically well positioned for eastern Melbourne, Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley weddings.

Brighton Savoy view: A logical business to include when obtaining quotations for a Yarra Valley or eastern Victorian wedding.

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16. Your Private Chef

Best for: Smaller, flexible and DIY-style weddings
Styles: Delivered catering with optional service
Dietary options: Available

Your Private Chef offers an alternative to the traditional full catering brigade.

Food can be prepared commercially and delivered to the event, with service scaled according to the wedding.

Brighton Savoy view: Particularly interesting for smaller weddings and couples wanting greater control over how much onsite service they purchase.

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17. Fourside Events

Best for: Bespoke modern weddings
Style: Produce-led contemporary catering
Menus: Customised

Fourside Events

Fourside takes a customised approach to event catering rather than relying solely on standard wedding packages.

Brighton Savoy view: Worth investigating where you want the menu individually designed around the wedding.

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18. Devour It Catering

Best for: Cocktail and canapé-style weddings
Location: Port Melbourne
Staffed events: Available

Devour It is a Port Melbourne caterer particularly relevant to cocktail-style receptions.

Brighton Savoy view: Worth comparing if canapés, finger food and substantial cocktail food will form the main meal rather than a formal sit-down dinner.

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19. ACC Catering

Best for: Melbourne CBD and city events
Location: Melbourne CBD

For a CBD wedding, it’s worth asking whether a caterer has previously worked at your particular venue.

Familiarity with loading docks, service lifts, parking, kitchen facilities and bump-in restrictions can make a surprisingly big difference.

Brighton Savoy view: One to investigate particularly for CBD and unconventional city event spaces.

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20. The Spit Roast Catering Co

Best for: Casual and relaxed weddings
Style: Spit-roast and event catering
Location: South Melbourne

THE Spit Roast Catering Co – Melbourne Spit Roast, Party & Home Catering

It can be particularly suitable for:

• backyard weddings
• country weddings
• casual receptions
• marquee events
• private properties.

Brighton Savoy view: Another option to compare with Spitting Image when the priority is generous, relaxed catering rather than formal plating.

How Much Does Wedding Catering Cost in Melbourne in 2026?

This is the question most couples really want answered.

Unfortunately, there isn’t one meaningful Melbourne-wide figure.

Current published pricing demonstrates why.

For example, HLB currently advertises:

These packages include different food and service components, so even prices from the same caterer aren’t directly comparable simply on dollars per person.

The important lesson

Never compare Melbourne wedding caterers purely on the headline price per person.

A $90 package from one caterer may include substantially more staffing, food or equipment than a $90 package elsewhere.

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What Can You Get for Around $100 Per Person?

Based on current published Melbourne pricing, a food budget around $100 per person can potentially put several formats within reach:

• substantial cocktail catering
• shared feasting
• buffet catering
• two-course plated dining
• some more elaborate cocktail formats.

But this does not necessarily mean your complete catering bill will equal $100 multiplied by your guest count.

You may still have:

• beverages
• additional staffing
• equipment
• travel
• glassware
• kitchen hire
• overtime.

Ask for the estimated final catering invoice, not just the menu price.

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What About $150 Per Person?

At around $150 per guest, there’s generally more scope for:

• additional courses
• premium ingredients
• substantial pre-dinner canapés
• dessert
• greater menu choice
• more elaborate presentation
• late-night food.

Premium bespoke catering can still cost considerably more depending on what you’re requesting.

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What About $200+ Per Person?

Once you move above $200 per guest, highly bespoke menus, extensive service and premium produce become increasingly possible.

Damm Good, for example, offers elaborate five to twelve-course gourmet experiences with chefs, waitstaff and event support for couples seeking fine-dining-style catering.

But don’t assume a high menu price automatically means absolutely everything is included.

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Wedding Catering Costs Couples Forget

This is where budgets can unravel.

A “$90 per person menu” doesn’t necessarily mean a 100-person wedding will cost $9,000.

Possible extras include:

• chefs
• waiters
• bartenders
• event supervisor
• overtime
• travel
• delivery
• kitchen equipment
• refrigeration
• cool rooms
• crockery
• cutlery
• glassware
• linen
• tables
• setup
• pack-down
• rubbish removal
• cake cutting
• tea and coffee
• children’s meals
• supplier meals
• tastings
• late-night food
• public holiday surcharges.

Ask every caterer:

“Based on everything we’ve discussed, what costs could still be added to this quotation?”

That’s often more revealing than asking for the per-person price.

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Types of Wedding Catering

Cocktail Wedding Catering

Cocktail weddings can be fantastic because guests aren’t tied to a table for several hours.

Food can include:

• cold canapés
• hot canapés
• substantial bites
• sliders
• bowl food
• mini meals
• dessert canapés.

But there is a trap.

Make sure you’re actually serving dinner

Six tiny canapés spread over three hours might look elegant on a menu but leave guests hungry.

HLB’s current $75 cocktail package, for example, combines canapés with hearty bites and bowl-food dishes, which demonstrates the distinction between “finger food” and a cocktail menu intended to constitute a complete meal.

Ask:

“If this is replacing dinner, will each guest receive the equivalent of a full meal?”

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Plated Sit-Down Catering

This is the classic formal wedding reception.

Typical formats include:

• two courses
• three courses
• four courses
• alternate-drop mains
• individually selected meals.

Advantages include no queues, controlled timing and formal presentation.

The trade-off is generally higher service requirements and a more structured reception.

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Shared-Feast Wedding Catering

Shared feasting has become particularly prominent in Melbourne wedding catering.

Large dishes arrive at each table and guests help themselves.

HLB currently charges $90 per person for its shared-feast package and describes the format as an increasingly popular Melbourne wedding choice.

Shared dining works particularly well where you want a social, generous meal without losing the comfort of seated dining.

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Buffet Wedding Catering

A modern wedding buffet doesn’t have to mean endless queues beside tired-looking bain-maries.

Buffets can offer:

• guest choice
• generous portions
• dietary flexibility
• potentially simpler service.

For large weddings, however, ask how queues will be managed.

Options include:

• multiple buffet stations
• staggered table release
• staff-assisted service
• sides already positioned on tables.

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Grazing Tables

Grazing tables work particularly well during cocktail hour.

They might include:

• cheeses
• cured meats
• dips
• bread
• crackers
• fruit
• vegetables
• antipasti.

But don’t automatically assume a grazing table is dinner.

Unless it has been specifically designed and portioned as the main meal, treat it as part of the catering rather than the complete catering solution.

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Food Truck Wedding Catering

Food trucks offer another completely different option.

They can work particularly well for:

• private properties
• warehouse weddings
• wineries
• relaxed outdoor receptions
• late-night food.

We’ve created a separate guide comparing food truck hire for Melbourne weddings and events, including cuisine choices, capacity, pricing considerations and logistics.

Which Wedding Catering Style Is Best?

There isn’t one correct answer.

Choose the format that supports the type of wedding you actually want.

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How Much Food Do You Need for 100 Wedding Guests?

There isn’t a universal formula.

For plated dining, quantities are relatively straightforward.

Cocktail catering is harder.

Ask:

• How many canapés per person?
• How many are substantial?
• How long will food circulate?
• Is bowl food included?
• Is grazing included?
• Is dessert included?
• Is late-night food included?
• Is the total quantity equivalent to dinner?

A professional caterer should be able to explain why the proposed menu provides sufficient food for your guest numbers.

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How Many Waiters Do You Need?

There isn’t one magic ratio.

It depends on:

• plated versus cocktail service
• venue layout
• number of courses
• kitchen location
• bar service
• stairs
• guest numbers.

Rather than trying to impose a universal rule, ask the caterer to state clearly:

Chefs: X
Food waiters: X
Bar staff: X
Event supervisor: X

That makes competing quotations far easier to compare.

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Private-Property Wedding Catering Melbourne

Catering a wedding at home, on a farm or at a private estate is completely different from catering inside an established wedding venue.

A beautiful domestic kitchen isn’t necessarily capable of producing 150 restaurant-quality meals simultaneously.

You may need:

• temporary commercial kitchen
• ovens
• cooking equipment
• refrigeration
• cool room
• potable water
• wastewater facilities
• electricity
• generator
• lighting
• dishwashing
• rubbish facilities
• staff facilities.

This is where caterers with genuine off-site experience become particularly valuable.

Ask the caterer to inspect the property before the final quote is agreed.

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Wedding Catering in the Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley has wineries, estates, farms and private properties spread across a substantial geographic area.

Ask:

• Is travel included?
• Is staff travel charged?
• Is late-night travel charged?
• Have you catered at our venue before?
• Is there a commercial kitchen?
• What equipment will you bring?
• Are there access restrictions?

Damm Good explicitly services Yarra Valley weddings, while Peter Rowland caters winery and regional celebrations and HLB promotes regional Victorian wedding catering.

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Wedding Catering on the Mornington Peninsula

The same principle applies to Mornington Peninsula weddings.

Remember:

Mornington isn’t Portsea.

Travel distances across the Peninsula are significant.

Ask for travel charges based on your actual venue address, and clarify:

• equipment transport
• staff travel
• kitchen facilities
• refrigeration
• late-night return travel.

Damm Good currently specifically identifies the Mornington Peninsula among the regions it services.

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Multicultural Wedding Catering in Melbourne

Melbourne’s multicultural population means food often has significance beyond simply choosing a nice dinner.

Indian Wedding Catering

Indian weddings may involve multiple celebrations rather than one reception.

Discuss:

• vegetarian requirements
• Jain requirements where relevant
• halal requirements
• buffet service
• multiple event days
• late-night food.

Greek Wedding Catering

Generous shared feasting can work beautifully with Greek celebrations where communal dining forms a natural part of the reception.

Italian Wedding Catering

Antipasti, pasta, shared entrées, substantial mains and dessert naturally lend themselves to shared Italian-style wedding dining.

Chinese Wedding Catering

Traditional Chinese wedding banquets can involve multiple courses and culturally significant dishes, so experience with the format matters.

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Jewish and Kosher Wedding Catering Melbourne

Couples requiring kosher catering should establish the required level of supervision before choosing a caterer.

Kosher-style and supervised kosher catering are not the same thing.

Food & Desire is one Melbourne operator worth investigating for kosher wedding catering. Couples should confirm current supervision, kitchen arrangements, menu options and venue requirements directly before booking.

You may also find our broader Multicultural Weddings in Melbourne guide useful when planning the wider celebration.

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Muslim and Halal Wedding Catering

Likewise, simply removing pork from a menu doesn’t automatically make the catering halal.

If halal compliance is important, ask:

• where meat is sourced
• whether certification is available
• how food is prepared
• whether alcohol is used in cooking
• whether separate preparation is required.

Don’t rely on assumptions.

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Dietary Requirements: Don’t Just Tick a Box

Most Melbourne wedding caterers deal with dietary requirements regularly.

Common requests include:

• vegetarian
• vegan
• gluten-free
• dairy-free
• coeliac
• nut allergies
• seafood allergies
• halal
• kosher.

But not all requirements are equivalent.

Gluten-free vs coeliac

A dish containing no gluten ingredients isn’t necessarily safe for someone with coeliac disease if cross-contact occurs during preparation.

Ask specifically about preparation procedures.

Serious allergies

Give the caterer exact allergy information rather than simply putting “allergy” beside a guest’s name.

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Should You Have a Wedding Menu Tasting?

Where available, we recommend it.

A tasting isn’t simply about whether something tastes nice.

Consider:

• flavour
• portion size
• presentation
• temperature
• menu balance
• dietary alternatives.

Ask whether:

• the tasting costs extra
• the fee is credited if you book
• you’ll taste the exact proposed dishes
• dietary alternatives can be sampled
• beverages are included.

HLB currently advertises complimentary canapé tastings for weddings of 70 or more guests, while Damm Good promotes menu tastings as part of its wedding service.

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Don’t Forget Children’s Meals

Ask how children are priced.

Depending on the caterer, children may receive:

• a separate children’s menu
• smaller adult portions
• discounted pricing.

For a wedding with 15 or 20 children, this can materially affect the budget.

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What About Supplier Meals?

Your photographer, videographer, DJ, band and other suppliers may be working for eight, ten or twelve hours.

Some supplier contracts require a meal.

Ask:

• What does a supplier meal cost?
• Is it the same meal as the guests?
• Is there a simpler supplier menu?
• When will supplier meals be served?

Don’t discover this when final numbers are due.

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Tea, Coffee, Dessert and Late-Night Food

Your main wedding caterer doesn’t necessarily need to provide everything.

You could add a dedicated mobile coffee cart in Melbourne for espresso, tea, chai and hot chocolate.

Or consider a Melbourne dessert cart serving:

• gelato
• cannoli
• doughnuts
• churros
• ice cream.

Late-night food might include:

• pizza
• sliders
• toasties
• fries
• tacos
• bánh mì.

These extras aren’t essential, but they can become some of the most memorable parts of the reception.

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30 Questions to Ask a Melbourne Wedding Caterer

1. Are you available on our wedding date?
2. Have you catered at our venue before?
3. Which catering style would you recommend?
4. What is your minimum spend?
5. Is GST included?
6. What exactly is included in the per-person price?
7. How many chefs will attend?
8. How many food waiters?
9. How many bar staff?
10. Is an event supervisor included?
11. Is setup included?
12. Is pack-down included?
13. Is crockery included?
14. Is cutlery included?
15. Is glassware included?
16. Is linen included?
17. What kitchen equipment do you require?
18. Can you provide a temporary kitchen?
19. Can you safely cater for coeliac guests?
20. How do you manage serious allergies?
21. Can you accommodate halal requirements?
22. Can you accommodate kosher requirements?
23. Are children’s meals discounted?
24. What do supplier meals cost?
25. Is cake cutting included?
26. Do you provide tea and coffee?
27. Can you provide late-night food?
28. Are tastings available?
29. What are your overtime rates?
30. What are your cancellation and postponement terms?

And ask one final question:

“Based on everything we’ve discussed, what costs could still be added to this quotation?”

The answer can be extremely useful.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Catering in Melbourne

How much does wedding catering cost in Melbourne?

It varies considerably. Current published Melbourne wedding catering we’ve researched ranges from around $75 per person for substantial cocktail catering through to $125+ for multi-course plated packages, while bespoke premium catering can cost considerably more.

Is $100 per person enough for wedding catering?

Potentially. Current Melbourne pricing shows cocktail, shared-feast and some plated formats around or below $100 per person. Whether $100 covers the complete catering cost depends on staffing, equipment, beverages, travel and other inclusions.

What is the cheapest wedding catering style?

Casual, buffet, BBQ and some cocktail formats can cost less than elaborate multi-course dining, but don’t compare price without also comparing food quantity and staffing.

Is a grazing table enough for dinner?

Usually not unless it has specifically been designed and portioned as the main meal. Grazing tables are often better suited to cocktail hour or as an additional food experience.

Can a caterer provide a kitchen at a private property?

Some can. Caterers experienced with private-property and marquee weddings may bring temporary cooking and refrigeration equipment.

How many waiters should a wedding have?

There isn’t a universal ratio. It depends on service style, venue layout and guest numbers. Ask the caterer to specify the proposed number of chefs, waiters and bar staff in writing.

Can Melbourne wedding caterers cater for coeliac guests?

Many can, but ask specifically about cross-contact procedures. Gluten-free doesn’t automatically mean coeliac-safe.

Can Melbourne caterers provide halal food?

Yes, but if formal halal compliance is important, ask about sourcing, preparation and certification.

Can Melbourne caterers provide kosher food?

Yes, specialist options exist. Kosher-style catering and supervised kosher catering are different, so establish your requirements before requesting quotes.

Do caterers travel to the Yarra Valley?

Many do, although travel and staffing charges may apply.

Do Melbourne caterers travel to the Mornington Peninsula?

Many do, particularly caterers specialising in private-property and regional weddings. Confirm travel costs for your actual venue.

Should we have a menu tasting?

Where possible, yes. It allows you to assess flavour, presentation, portion size and dietary alternatives before finalising the menu.

How far ahead should we book?

For popular Saturdays and peak wedding seasons, begin enquiries once your venue and date are confirmed. Specialist caterers have finite capacity and may only accept a limited number of weddings on the same date.

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How We Researched This Guide

For this 2026 update, we looked for current evidence that caterers were actively operating in Melbourne and providing wedding or relevant event catering.

We considered:

• wedding-specific services
• current operation
• catering formats
• published pricing where available
• staffing
• dietary catering
• private-property capability
• regional service
• menu tastings
• practical booking information.

Where a caterer publishes clear current pricing, we’ve included examples.

Where pricing isn’t sufficiently clear, we’ve used Quote rather than inventing an estimate.

Inclusion in this guide does not mean Brighton Savoy has personally hired or taste-tested every caterer, and inclusion does not constitute a guarantee or paid endorsement.

Where possible, we’ve linked directly to each caterer’s official website so readers can check current menus, packages, pricing and availability.

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Why Trust Brighton Savoy’s Wedding Catering Guide?

Brighton Savoy operated as a Melbourne hotel, wedding reception venue and function centre for more than five decades.

That experience gives us a slightly different perspective on wedding catering.

Couples see the menu.

A venue also sees:

• the catering team arriving
• loading and setup
• chefs preparing meals
• dietary meals being identified
• waiters circulating
• speeches running late
• food service being adjusted
• cake being cut
• suppliers being fed
• equipment being removed.

That’s why we believe choosing a wedding caterer shouldn’t simply be about finding the menu with the nicest-sounding dishes.

Food quality + food quantity + staffing + timing + logistics + communication + total cost all matter.

You can learn more about our history on the About Brighton Savoy page.

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Planning the Rest of Your Melbourne Wedding?

Our other Melbourne wedding and catering guides may also help:

• Best Food Trucks for Melbourne Weddings & Events
• Best Dessert Carts Melbourne
• Mobile Coffee Cart Hire Melbourne
• 100+ Best Wedding Venues Melbourne
• Complete Melbourne Wedding Suppliers Guide
• Questions to Ask Before Booking a Wedding Venue
• Multicultural Weddings in Melbourne

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Final Thoughts: Choosing a Melbourne Wedding Caterer

Don’t choose your caterer purely because one menu is $10 cheaper per person.

And don’t choose one just because its social-media photographs look spectacular.

Start with five questions:

Does the food suit us?

Will there be enough of it?

Can the caterer serve our number of guests properly?

Can they handle our venue and dietary requirements?

What will the complete catering bill actually be?

For some couples, the right answer will be a formal three-course dinner.

For others, it will be enormous shared platters landing in the middle of every table.

Another couple might prefer substantial canapés and dancing from the moment the reception begins.

And someone else will be happiest with a wood-fired pizza truck outside.

There is no universally correct way to feed wedding guests.

But there is one rule we’d strongly recommend:

Whatever format you choose, make sure there’s enough food, enough staff and enough time to serve it properly.