Understanding Food and Beverage Minimums: What They Mean for Your Wedding Budget

When reviewing wedding venue or catering contracts, you might come across a food and beverage minimum or see pricing listed as $100++ per person. If you’re not familiar with these terms, they can be confusing—and they definitely impact your budget.

This week on 52 'Til I Do, we’re breaking down food and beverage minimums and what that little “+++” actually means, so you can confidently navigate pricing and avoid unexpected costs.

What is a Food and Beverage Minimum?

A food and beverage (F&B) minimum is the minimum amount you must spend on food and drinks to use the venue or catering services. It’s not the same as a per-person price—it’s a total spending requirement, regardless of your guest count.

How It Works:

• If a venue has a $10,000 food and beverage minimum, you must spend at least that amount on catering and drinks.
• If your per-person meal and bar package comes to $100 per guest and you have 90 guests, your total would be $9,000, meaning you haven’t met the minimum yet. You’d need to add more food, drinks, or upgrades to hit $10,000.
• If your total spending exceeds the minimum, you simply pay for what you ordered—there’s no discount for going over.

What Counts Toward the Minimum?

• Food (plated meals, buffets, late-night snacks, desserts)
• Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)

What Doesn’t Count?

• Venue rental fees
• Taxes
• Gratuity and service charges

If your venue has a high food and beverage minimum, but your guest count is small, you may need to add upgrades like signature cocktails, late-night snacks, or a dessert bar to reach the requirement.

What Does “+++” Mean on Wedding Menus?

If you see a price listed as $100+++ per person, that means the price does not include tax, service charges, or gratuity—which adds a significant percentage to your final bill.

Breaking Down the “+++”

• Service Charge (Usually 18–25%)
  
  • This covers staffing, setup, cleanup, and operational costs.
  • It is not the same as gratuity for your servers and bartenders.
• Tax (Varies by Location)
  
  • Sales tax is added to food and beverage costs based on state and local regulations.
• Gratuity (Sometimes Included, Sometimes Not)
  
  • Some venues automatically include gratuity, while others leave it optional.
  • Always check whether gratuity is pre-determined or if you’ll need to tip separately.

How Much More Will the “+++” Add?

Let’s say your venue quotes $100++ per guest and you have 100 guests. If the service charge is 22% and tax is 8%, here’s what you’re actually paying:

Base Cost: $100 × 100 guests = $10,000

Service Charge (22%): $10,000 × 22% = $2,200

Tax (8%): $10,000 × 8% = $800

Total: $13,000

That $100 per person price just turned into $130 per person—without even factoring in gratuity.

How to Avoid Surprises in Your Catering Contract

✔ Ask for an itemized breakdown of all costs, including service charges, tax, and gratuity.
✔ Clarify what counts toward the food and beverage minimum and what doesn’t.
✔ If you're below the minimum, ask about upgrades like late-night snacks, signature drinks, or additional appetizers.
✔ Get everything in writing to avoid unexpected fees later.

Final Thoughts

Understanding food and beverage minimums and “+++” pricing is key to budgeting for your wedding. That per-person price on your contract might not be the final number you pay, so always ask for the full breakdown before signing.

For more wedding planning tips and contract breakdowns, listen to the full episode of 52 ‘Til I Do on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. 

Have more catering-related questions? Send us a message at hello@marryment.com or get in touch on our social media—we love helping couples navigate this part of wedding planning!

Photo Credit to JNA Visuals

‍Marryment proudly serves couples all across Chicago and the surrounding Chicago Suburbs including popular areas such as Schaumburg, Elmhurst, Naperville, Evanston, Joliet, Oak Park, Skokie, Barrington, Downers Grove and Northbrook, to name a few. We also love destination weddings. We'd love to be a part of your wedding day! Schedule your free planning call with us today.

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