Planning a Fort Lauderdale wedding means navigating dozens of decisions—and catering ranks among your most important. Your guests will forget the centerpieces. They’ll remember whether dinner was extraordinary or forgettable.
After 40+ years catering South Florida weddings, we’ve learned what couples actually need to know before signing contracts. Here’s your practical guide to Fort Lauderdale wedding catering in 2025.
What Wedding Catering Actually Costs in Fort Lauderdale
The Short Answer: $125-200 per guest for full-service wedding catering in Fort Lauderdale.
What Drives Your Final Price:
The wide range exists because “catering” can mean vastly different things:
- Drop-off service ($50-75/guest): Food arrives in chafing dishes. Your venue staff handles setup and service.
- Buffet with staff ($100-150/guest): Professional service team, on-site cooking, bar service, tables/linens.
- Plated dinner service ($150-200/guest): Multi-course seated dinner, dedicated event lead, premium ingredients, artisanal cocktails.
Hidden Costs to Watch For:
- Service fees (18-22% industry standard)
- Rentals if not included (tables, linens, glassware)
- Bar packages vs. consumption
- Cake cutting fees
- Vendor meals
- Overtime charges
At Hugh’s, we include this in your initial quote. The price we provide is the price you pay—no surprise fees appearing after you’ve signed.
Questions Every Fort Lauderdale Couple Should Ask Caterers
1. “Where is our food actually prepared?”
This question reveals everything. Many caterers cook off-site hours before your event, transport in warming boxes, and reheat on location.
Why it matters: Food quality degrades significantly during transport and reheating. Filet mignon becomes overdone. Delicate sauces separate.
We cook on-site. Our mobile kitchen arrives at your venue—whether that’s Bonnet House, The Breakers, or your private estate—and prepares your dinner service fresh. Your guests receive restaurant-quality food at proper serving temperature.
2. “Who will be on-site during our wedding?”
Some companies send junior staff while leadership stays at headquarters. When problems arise (and they always do—a vendor runs late, weather shifts plans, guest count changes), you’re relying on someone without decision-making authority.
Our operations director personally oversees every wedding. Direct communication. Immediate solutions. No waiting for approval from an office manager who’s handling three other events.
3. “What happens if we need to adjust our menu or guest count?”
Reputable caterers accommodate reasonable changes up to 7-10 days before your event. Be wary of companies that lock you in months in advance or charge excessive modification fees.
We’ve been doing this 40+ years. We understand that guest counts fluctuate and dietary restrictions surface late. There’s never a no, always a how.
4. “Can you accommodate [specific dietary restriction]?”
This question tests expertise. Professional caterers should confidently handle:
- Kosher and Halal requirements
- Severe allergies (not just “gluten-free”)
- Vegan preparations that are actually delicious
- Cultural menu requirements
If they hesitate or suggest guests “just skip that course,” move on. Your guests’ dietary needs aren’t optional accommodations—they’re requirements for a successful event.
The Fort Lauderdale Venue Advantage
Fort Lauderdale offers extraordinary wedding venues, but venue choice dramatically impacts your catering options and costs.
Historic Venues (Bonnet House, Stranahan House):
- Often have preferred caterer lists
- May require specific insurance/licensing
- Beautiful settings but can have kitchen limitations
- Parking and access considerations
Hotel/Resort Venues (The Breakers, Harbor Beach Marriott):
- Typically require in-house catering
- All-inclusive packages simplify planning
- Premium pricing but fewer coordination headaches
Private Estates & Waterfront Locations:
- Maximum flexibility with caterer choice
- Requires bringing in everything (power, refrigeration, cooking equipment)
- Most opportunity for customization
- Budget for additional rentals and logistics
As the preferred caterer at several Fort Lauderdale historic venues, we’ve solved every logistical challenge these beautiful spaces present. We know which venues have adequate power, where to position cooking stations, and how to deliver seamless service despite facility limitations.
Red Flags When Choosing Fort Lauderdale Wedding Caterers
Walk away if you encounter:
- No tasting offered – How can you commit without tasting?
- Vague pricing – “Around $X depending on…” is code for “we’ll add charges later”
- No references – 40 years in business means hundreds of delighted couples who’ll vouch for our work
- Pressure to book immediately – Quality caterers are busy but professional, not desperate
- Everything sounds perfect – Honest vendors explain limitations and trade-offs
What Full-Service Actually Means
“Full-service catering” gets thrown around loosely. Here’s what it should include:
✓ Menu consultation and customization
✓ Professional service staff (1 server per 12-15 guests minimum)
✓ All rentals (tables, chairs, linens, place settings)
✓ Bar service and glassware
✓ Setup and complete breakdown
✓ On-site event coordination
✓ Day-of problem solving
At Hugh’s, full-service also means handling your florals, entertainment booking, and specialty rentals. One contact. One contract. One company accountable for your entire event.
Because coordinating five separate vendors—caterer, florist, rental company, bartending service, musicians—creates five opportunities for miscommunication. We’ve watched couples spend their wedding day troubleshooting vendor conflicts instead of celebrating. That’s why we brought everything in-house.
The Restaurant-Quality Difference
We’re Fort Lauderdale’s only restaurant-owned caterer. That’s not a marketing claim—it shapes everything we do.
What it means for your wedding:
Ingredient sourcing: We maintain relationships with the same purveyors supplying South Florida’s top restaurants. Your wedding menu features the same quality ingredients as our Livia Bar and Grill dinner service.
Culinary training: Our team includes Culinary Institute-trained chefs with Michelin restaurant experience. This isn’t “banquet cooking”—it’s culinary artistry scaled for your guest count.
Execution standards: Restaurant kitchens operate on precision timing. Every plate must meet standards before service. We brought that discipline to catering. Your seated dinner doesn’t have 40-degree temperature variance from first plate to last. Every guest receives the same exceptional experience.
Your Next Steps
Ready to discuss your Fort Lauderdale wedding catering?
- Schedule your tasting – Experience our food firsthand
- Tour our venue – See our 40,000 sq ft Cypress and Safari Rooms
- Review your options – We’ll provide transparent pricing for your specific vision
Questions? Call Steve directly: (954) 563-4844
After four decades in Fort Lauderdale, we’ve earned our reputation one wedding at a time. Let’s make yours extraordinary.
