How Much Does a Wedding Food Van Cost in 2026

In short

Wedding food van hire in 2026 typically lands between GBP 10 and GBP 25 per head plus VAT. A 100-guest wedding will usually come in between GBP 1000 and GBP 2500 +VAT for the food, the van, the team and standard service. Travel, evening service extension and high-end menus push the price up. Lower guest counts and weekday weddings push it down.

Below we break down what is included, what drives the price, what to look for on a quote and what to ask before you book.

Per-head bands explained

Most wedding food van suppliers price per head, with a tiered menu structure. The headline number is what each guest costs in food and service. Travel, deposit terms and any extras sit on top.

Across the UK in 2026 the bands look something like this. A budget-friendly burger or hot dog menu typically starts at around GBP 10 to GBP 12 per head plus VAT. A mid-range street food menu with two or three mains, sides and a vegetarian option lands at GBP 14 to GBP 18 per head plus VAT. A premium menu with multiple mains, loaded sides, sharing platters and a sweet course is GBP 18 to GBP 25 per head plus VAT.

At PremierPlus our three menu tiers sit inside this range. The Classic starts at GBP 10pp +VAT for smash burgers, southern fried chicken, BBQ pulled pork, grilled halloumi and skin-on fries. The Upgrade is GBP 14pp +VAT and adds halloumi pittas and loaded fries. The Works at GBP 18pp +VAT brings in nachos sharing platters, mac and cheese bites and churros, and is the only tier where guests can come back for seconds.

What is actually included in the per-head price

A complete wedding food van quote should cover everything you need on the day. Look for:

The food, prepared and cooked fresh on site
Use of the catering van or trailer for the duration
The team to cook and serve, usually two or three depending on guest count
Sauces, condiments, disposable cutlery and napkins
Setup on site, usually 45 minutes before service
The standard service window, usually 2 hours of continuous serving
Cleardown and leaving the site clean

If a quote is much cheaper than the band above, ask which of these are excluded. The most common omissions are setup time, cleardown and disposables.

What drives the price up

Several factors push a wedding food van quote above the per-head band. Travel beyond the supplier's base radius is the most common - most suppliers include a free radius of around 25 to 50 miles, then charge per mile or per hour beyond it. A wedding venue 90 minutes from the base will usually carry a travel surcharge.

Extended service is the next biggest driver. Standard service is 2 hours of continuous serving, which is enough to get 100 to 150 guests fed during a typical wedding breakfast slot. If you want the van to serve through the afternoon and into the evening, expect an extension fee of around GBP 50 per 30 minutes, with special rates for events running over 6 hours.

Late-night service, weekend bank holidays and same-day double-bookings on peak Saturdays will all attract a premium. Power supply matters too - if your venue has no mains and the supplier has to bring a generator, this is sometimes included free, sometimes charged.

What drives the price down

The same factors in reverse. Weekday weddings, off-peak months (November through March), nearby venues, smaller guest counts above the minimum spend, and standardised menus all bring the per-head total down. Some suppliers also offer a discount for repeat bookings or for combining a wedding food van booking with another service.

Worked example: 100 guests in Surrey

For a 100-guest summer Saturday wedding at a Surrey venue with PremierPlus on The Upgrade menu:

Food and service: 100 x GBP 14 = GBP 1400 +VAT
Travel within Surrey: included
Standard 2-hour service: included
Setup and cleardown: included
Total: GBP 1400 +VAT (GBP 1680 inc VAT)

Add an evening service extension of 90 minutes and the total becomes GBP 1400 plus 3 x GBP 50 = GBP 1550 +VAT. Add a generator if needed: usually no extra at PremierPlus, but worth checking with any supplier.

How to compare suppliers fairly

Lining up two or three quotes side by side is the right way to choose. To compare fairly:

Check whether the headline price is plus VAT or inclusive
Confirm what is in the menu - quantities matter, two sliders is not the same as one quarter pounder
Ask about the standard service window and the overage rate
Check the travel policy and ask for a postcode-specific quote
Confirm deposit, balance and cancellation terms in writing
Look at the photos of the actual van that will arrive on the day

Booking and payment terms

Industry-standard terms for wedding food vans are a 25 percent deposit on booking, with the balance due 7 days before the event. Deposits are typically non-refundable but can usually be transferred if your event needs to move. PremierPlus follows this convention.

For peak Saturday weddings in summer, booking 6 to 12 months in advance is normal. For weekday weddings and off-peak months, 2 to 3 months notice is usually enough. We can sometimes accommodate shorter notice if there is availability.

The bottom line

For most couples, a wedding food van costs less than a third of a traditional sit-down wedding breakfast and produces a relaxed, memorable food moment that guests genuinely enjoy. Plan for GBP 10 to GBP 25 per head plus VAT, expect a written quote that covers everything itemised above, and book early for a peak summer Saturday.

If you want a tailored quote for your wedding, the team at PremierPlus will come back within 1 business day. Send us your venue details, or read more about our wedding food van service first.

Wedding food van cost - frequently asked

A wedding food van in 2026 typically costs between GBP 10 and GBP 25 per head plus VAT, depending on the menu, the supplier and the format. PremierPlus prices The Classic from GBP 10pp +VAT, The Upgrade from GBP 14pp +VAT and The Works from GBP 18pp +VAT, with most weddings booking The Upgrade for around GBP 1400 +VAT on 100 guests.

A complete quote should include the food, the use of the van, the team to cook and serve, all sauces, condiments, disposable cutlery and napkins, setup and cleardown, and travel within a reasonable distance of the supplier base. Always ask if VAT, travel, deposit terms and overage rates are clearly stated.

Usually yes. A traditional sit-down wedding breakfast typically runs from GBP 60 to GBP 120 per head before drinks. A wedding food van comes in at a fraction of that for the food alone, although you should compare like with like - food vans tend to replace the wedding breakfast or evening food, not both.

The most common surprises are travel above a base radius, extended service beyond the standard 2 hours, late-night surcharges, generator hire if not included as standard, and minimum spend topping up small guest counts. Reputable suppliers will name all of these on the quote.

Plan for around GBP 1000 to GBP 2500 +VAT for 100 guests, depending on the menu tier and the supplier. PremierPlus comes in at GBP 1000 +VAT for The Classic, GBP 1400 +VAT for The Upgrade and GBP 1800 +VAT for The Works at 100 guests, before any travel surcharge.