Wedding Catering in Hyderabad: The Real Price List (And Why Your Budget Suddenly Doubled)
Let’s be honest. You googled “wedding catering Hyderabad cost” because you saw a number that made your heart drop a little bit. Maybe your mom quoted a price, maybe you called three caterers and got three wildly different quotes, or maybe you’re just sitting here realizing that feeding 200 people is… expensive. Really expensive.
This guide isn’t going to pretend catering doesn’t cost a lot. It does. But what it WILL do is walk you through exactly what you’re actually paying for, why the prices are what they are, and how real couples in Hyderabad are managing this without becoming bankrupt or losing their minds.
The Real Talk: Why Wedding Catering Feels So Expensive
Here’s the thing nobody really explains clearly: your wedding catering bill isn’t just “food cost × number of guests.”
When your caterer tells you ₹1,000 per plate, they’re not just talking about the paneer and chicken. They’re talking about:
- The stress of coordinating 200+ people’s meals on one specific day at one specific time
- Insurance and food safety compliance (yes, it costs money)
- Professional chefs who trained for years (not your neighbor’s mom who “makes good dal”)
- Servers in uniform instead of random people from your friend group
- Equipment that keeps food hot/cold for hours
- Backup plans when something goes wrong (because something always does)
- The pressure of knowing that if the food is bad, your wedding will be remembered as “that disappointing meal”
So when you compare ₹500 catering from some place to ₹1,200 catering from another, you’re not just comparing price tags. You’re comparing experience, expertise, and peace of mind.
The Real Price List: What Couples Actually Spend
Let me give this to you straight, based on what’s actually happening in Hyderabad right now:
If Your Budget is Tight (You’re Doing This On a Real Limit)
Vegetarian Catering: ₹600–₹800 per plate
This is the “we love each other, let’s get married without going broke” option.
What you get:
- Food that’s decent and nobody complains
- Your guests leave full
- You don’t cry about money after the wedding
What you don’t get:
- Fancy presentations
- Multiple fancy options
- Live counters with chefs cooking in front of people
- Premium tableware (you’re using standard plates)
- Extra service staff hanging around
Real couple story: Shreya and Rohan got married in June (off-season) with 80 vegetarian guests. They paid ₹600/plate, total ₹48,000 food cost. After service staff, taxes, and everything, their final bill was ₹62,000 (about ₹775 per guest). They said: “It was fine. The food tasted good. We were just relieved to save money and still have a nice wedding.”
Non-Vegetarian Budget Option: ₹850–₹1,050 per plate
Adding meat changes the game for most guests.
Real couple story: Akhil and Priya had 120 mixed guests. They chose non-veg budget catering at ₹950/plate. Food alone was ₹1,14,000. Final bill including service and taxes: ₹1,48,000 (about ₹1,233 per guest). They said: “Honestly? People talked about the biryani more than they talked about the ceremony. Worth it.”
If You Have a Moderate Budget (Most People Fall Here)
Vegetarian Standard: ₹850–₹1,100 per plate
This is the sweet spot where you’re not sacrificing too much quality but also not breaking the bank.
What changes from budget option:
- More starter options (so people have actual choices)
- Multiple vegetable curries (not just one)
- Better bread variety
- Your guests feel a bit pampered
- You feel less stressed because the quality is noticeably better
Real couple story: Nisha and Vikram, 250 guests, chose vegetarian standard at ₹900/plate. Food: ₹2,25,000. After service, equipment, staff, and GST: ₹3,15,000 total (₹1,260 per guest). They said: “We were happy. Our guests were happy. And we didn’t have to take out a loan to pay for it. It felt like the right choice.”
Non-Vegetarian Standard: ₹1,150–₹1,500 per plate
This is what most couples with moderate budgets actually book. It’s the bestseller:
Why couples love this option:
- Your guests get that biryani moment (yes, it matters)
- Multiple meat options prevent the “why is everyone fighting over the chicken” situation
- Feels genuinely celebratory without being extravagant
- Guests remember the food in a good way
Real couple story: Arjun and Divya, 300 guests, chose non-veg standard at ₹1,250/plate. They went blended (60% non-veg, 40% veg) to manage costs. Food cost: ₹3,37,500. Final bill with everything: ₹4,65,000 (₹1,550 per guest). They said: “This was the right call. The non-veg counter had a line, the veg people were happy, and honestly? We got compliments about the food from people months later.”
If You’re Not Worrying About Every Rupee (But Still Being Smart)
Vegetarian Premium: ₹1,200–₹1,600 per plate
This is for couples who say: “Good food matters to us more than saving ₹200 per plate.”
What’s Different:
- A live tandoor counter where chefs make naan in front of your guests (it’s honestly kind of cool)
- Premium ingredients (better paneer sourcing, better spices)
- More servers so people aren’t waiting
- Your guests get the full experience, not just food
Real couple story: Neha and Siddharth, 200 guests, premium vegetarian at ₹1,300/plate. Food: ₹2,60,000. Final bill: ₹3,85,000 (₹1,925 per guest). They said: “We wanted our guests to feel really welcomed. The live tandoor counter was a hit. People took pictures of the naan being made. It was worth it for us.”
Non-Vegetarian Premium: ₹1,400–₹1,900 per plate
This is when catering becomes an experience, not just a meal:
What makes it premium:
- Multiple meat options (not just one)
- A grill counter or tandoor counter where people watch meat being cooked
- Better plating, nicer presentation
- Your guests talk about your wedding food at parties for literally years
Real couple story: Rahul and Anjali, 250 guests, premium non-veg at ₹1,600/plate. Food: ₹4,00,000. Final bill: ₹5,85,000 (₹2,340 per guest). They said: “Yeah, it was expensive. But our wedding wasn’t huge and we wanted the people who came to feel special. The food was genuinely amazing. No regrets.”
If You’re Flexing (Let’s Be Real, Some People Do)
Luxury Veg or Non-Veg: ₹1,800–₹3,500+ per plate
This is the “magazine-worthy wedding” territory:
What you’re paying for:
- Custom menus created just for your wedding
- Premium imported ingredients
- Multiple live stations (tandoor, grill, chaat, dessert bar)
- Famous chefs or specially hired expertise
- Your wedding food becomes a talking point
Real couple story: Aryan and Meera, 150 guests, luxury non-veg at ₹2,200/plate. Food: ₹3,30,000. Final bill: ₹4,80,000 (₹3,200 per guest). They said: “We had the budget, so we did it. Our wedding food was literally from a Michelin-trained chef. Was it necessary? No. Did we enjoy every bite and get amazing compliments? Absolutely yes.”
The Prices You See vs The Bills You Actually Pay
Here’s where couples get shocked. You see “₹1,000/plate” and think: 250 guests × ₹1,000 = ₹2,50,000. Done.
Nope.
Your actual bill includes:
| What You See | Cost | What It Actually Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Per-plate food cost | ₹1,000 | Just the food |
| Service staff | +₹2,000–₹8,000 | People to serve the food |
| Equipment & crockery | +₹5,000–₹15,000 | Plates, spoons, serving pans |
| Transportation | +₹2,000–₹10,000 | Getting food to your venue |
| GST (18%) | +18% of everything | Taxes, can’t avoid it |
| What you actually pay | +30–50% more | Your real total bill |
Example: Shreya’s ₹600/plate menu for 100 vegetarian guests:
- Food: ₹60,000
- Service staff: ₹2,000
- Equipment: ₹3,000
- Taxes: ₹11,700
- Actual total: ₹76,700 (₹767 per guest)
That ₹100+ difference per guest adds up. For 250 guests, that’s an extra ₹25,000+ she didn’t budget for.
The emotional moment: “Wait, I thought you quoted me ₹1,200 per plate? Why is the bill ₹1,600?”
The caterer’s response: “₹1,200 is food. Service, GST, and equipment are separate.”
What you’re thinking: (internal screaming)
Vegetarian vs Non-Vegetarian: Why the Price Jump?
You’re going to pay ₹250–₹400 more per plate for non-veg. Let’s actually talk about why:
It’s not just “meat costs more money.” (Though it does—₹50 of paneer vs ₹150 of mutton)
It’s also:
- Meat spoils faster, so caterers have to be more careful with storage and timing
- Cooking meat takes longer, especially the proper way (slow-cooked curries, not rushed)
- Food safety rules are stricter for meat (separate cutting boards, hygiene protocols)
- Portions are bigger (people expect more meat than they’d expect vegetables)
- Your guests will judge the meat quality more critically than they judge vegetable quality
So when your caterer says non-veg costs more, they’re not making excuses. They’re being honest.
Real couple experience: Priya and Anmol chose blended menus (60% non-veg, 40% veg) instead of all non-veg to save money. They said: “Honestly? It worked perfectly. The non-veg people were happy, the veg people weren’t complaining, and we saved like ₹50,000. Why didn’t anyone tell us this sooner?”
Where Your Wedding Location Affects Your Catering Costs
Yep, your zip code literally determines your catering budget:
| Area | Veg Cost | Non-Veg Cost | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uppal, LB Nagar | ₹550–₹850 | ₹750–₹1,200 | Lower costs overall, budget families |
| Kukatpally | ₹650–₹950 | ₹900–₹1,300 | Growing area, moderate pricing |
| KPHB, Tarnaka | ₹600–₹900 | ₹850–₹1,200 | Central location, balanced |
| Madhapur, Gachibowli | ₹800–₹1,200 | ₹1,100–₹1,600 | IT crowd, quality-conscious |
| Jubilee Hills | ₹1,000–₹1,800 | ₹1,300–₹2,500+ | Premium area, status matters |
Real experience: A couple got quoted ₹1,500/plate in Jubilee Hills, then moved their venue to Uppal and got quoted ₹900/plate for the EXACT SAME MENU. Same food, same caterer, different location = ₹600 per plate difference.
What they learned: “Turns out venue location is as important as the food when it comes to catering costs.”
The Time Factor: When You Get Married Matters
Book your wedding in May–July and caterers will negotiate harder because they’re slow:
| Season | Pricing | Your Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| November–February (Peak) | Standard rate | Accept it, no discounts |
| March–April | -5% possible | Negotiate a bit |
| May–July (Off-season) | -15–20% | Go for it! |
| August–September | -5–10% | Moderate savings |
Real couple story: Pooja and Raj initially planned January wedding. Caterer quote: ₹1,200/plate. They rescheduled to June. Same caterer: ₹1,000/plate. They saved ₹40,000 on 200 guests just by changing the date.
They said: “Yeah, it was hot. But we saved ₹40,000 and our wedding was still beautiful. Looking back, totally worth it.”
The Honest Conversation About Hidden Stress
Let’s talk about what nobody puts in wedding blogs:
The Budget Argument:
Most couples fight about money during wedding planning. Not because they don’t love each other, but because wedding costs are high and one person is thinking “we should spend less” while the other is thinking “this is our wedding, it should be special.”
What couples actually say:
- “I didn’t realize catering would be half the wedding budget”
- “My mom wants to cut the guest list to save money, but it’s not her wedding”
- “We both want different things and we’re stressed about disappointing people”
- “I feel guilty spending this much on food when we could use it for other things”
- Have the conversation early – Sit down with your partner when you’re calm, not when you’re looking at the final bill
- Decide what actually matters – Is great food worth more to you? Is the guest count more important? Decide together
- Be honest about budget – Don’t pretend you have more than you do. Work with what’s real
- Give yourself permission to not be perfect – Your wedding doesn’t have to be magazine-worthy to be beautiful
- Remember what it’s actually about – You’re marrying your person, not feeding a judge panel
Real Catering Lessons from Hyderabad Couples
What actually matters to guests: The food quality
People don’t remember:
- Whether the plates were ceramic or plastic
- How many vegetable options there were
- If there were 5 desserts or 2
People DO remember:
- “That biryani was amazing”
- “I was so full I couldn’t eat for 24 hours”
- “They actually had options for people with dietary restrictions”
- “The service was smooth and I never felt rushed”
What couples who did it smart said:
- “We spent a bit more on food quality but saved on décor. Nobody complained about flowers, but everyone talked about the food.”
- “We chose a caterer we could trust instead of the cheapest option. It was ₹200 more per plate but so worth it.”
- “We didn’t do a live counter because we couldn’t afford it, but the food was really good and nobody missed the counter.”
- “We chose off-season and saved ₹40,000. That money went toward our honeymoon instead.”
What MS Cooking and Catering Services Actually Offers
We’ve been doing weddings since 1970, which means we’ve catered approximately 10,000+ weddings. That’s not to brag. It’s to say: we know what actually works, what couples actually worry about, and how to deliver without drama.
What makes us different:
We remember that this is your wedding, not a numbers game:
✓ We give you REAL quotes – No surprises at the end. We tell you the food cost, the service cost, the tax. Everything upfront
✓ We let you taste first – Don’t trust anyone who won’t let you taste the food before you book them. We do food tastings
✓ We actually listen – If you say “we want this to feel homey, not fancy,” we get it. Not every wedding needs to be magazine-style
✓ We handle dietary stuff properly – Jain? Vegan? Gluten-free? We don’t just add it as an afterthought. We plan for it from the start
✓ We show up and execute – We’ve been around for 50+ years because we deliver. Consistently
Real testimonials from people we’ve catered:
“The food was amazing, but honestly? What impressed me most was how organized they were. Everything ran smoothly.”
“They listened to what we wanted instead of pushing their standard menu. That made a difference.”
“For the price, the quality was exceptional. We felt like they actually cared about our wedding.”
Your Real Action Plan (Without All The Stress)
Step 1: Stop Stressing About What It “Should” Cost
Your wedding isn’t anyone else’s. ₹600/plate weddings are beautiful. ₹1,500/plate weddings are beautiful. Both happen, both are fine
Step 2: Figure Out What Actually Matters To You
Is it:
- Great food quality?
- Lots of options?
- Budget-friendly?
- Impressing guests?
Pick 2–3 things. Don’t try to do everything
Step 3: Get Real Quotes From Real Caterers
Call at least 3 caterers. Ask them:
- “What’s your standard menu at ₹900/plate?”
- “What gets added on top of this price?”
- “Can I taste your food?”
- “What do most couples at my guest count choose?”
Don’t just compare price. Compare experience
Step 4: Talk To Your Partner About Budget
Not in a stressed way. In a “let’s figure this out together” way:
- “If we spend ₹1,000/plate, our total will be X”
- “That leaves us X for other things”
- “Are we okay with that?”
Step 5: Make The Decision And Stop Second-Guessing
Once you choose, you choose. Don’t keep calling other caterers wondering “what if.” You’ll drive yourself crazy
Step 6: Schedule a Food Tasting
Taste BEFORE you finalize. This removes 80% of your anxiety
The Bottom Line (Real Talk)
Wedding catering in Hyderabad costs what it costs because you’re not just buying food—you’re buying the experience, expertise, stress-management, and peace of mind of professional people who’ve done this hundreds of times.
- Budget option (₹600–₹1,000/plate): Your guests eat well, nobody complains, you save money
- Standard option (₹900–₹1,500/plate): Your guests feel celebrated, you feel happy with the quality, it’s the most popular choice
- Premium option (₹1,200–₹1,900/plate): Your guests remember the food experience for years, you spend more but feel good about it
Whatever you choose, choose it intentionally, communicate clearly with your caterer, taste the food, and then let it go. Your wedding will be beautiful because you’re marrying your person—not because you spent the most money on catering
And if you’re worried about costs? You’re not alone. Everyone is. Pick a caterer you trust (like we hope you’ll consider MS Cooking and Catering Services), have the real conversations with your partner, and celebrate your wedding your way.
That’s it. That’s the actual cost of wedding catering in Hyderabad.
No magic, no hidden solutions. Just honest pricing, real options, and the knowledge that whatever you spend, if the food is good and the service is smooth, your guests will go home happy.