Affordable catering in Sussex

I don't live in Sussex so can't help with recommendations but we are doing something similar with our wedding and have managed to get our catering budget to £2000.

We also have 110 guests and need crockery, etc and would like a buffet, so very similar to your situation. We rang round lots of caterers, particularly ones who state about "working to your budget". The first thing we said is that we didn't want to go over "x amount" and that we were willing to be quite informal with things. We haven't had trouble finding caterers - it has been tricky but the best thing to do is to avoid "posh" looking caterers. Look for the kinds of events/weddings that they've covered before, this will give you an idea whether they could work to your budget. One of the first ones we contacted gave us a quote for £6000! They were giving us things that we didn't need or want, so make sure you are very clear about what you are asking for. I would also try looking at caterers who do parties or smaller events, as they had lower prices but don't do weddings all the time, so they are a little cheaper. The caterer we are probably booking is more of a small events and parties one but has done a few weddings.

Initially we wanted canapés or a starter but have scrapped them as our timings didn't need guests to be fed so we didn't bother. Instead we're just having "nibbles" - I guess crisps/nuts, etc and then going straight into the buffet. Lots of ways round it!

Have you tried Gastro catering?

We had a quote of around £1100 for a BBQ for 80 (inc VAT)

There were loads of other options like adding a dessert course for another £300ish, unlimited drinks packages and so on. They were also quite flexible and you could remove things that you didn't need /want.

We'd have booked with them, but changed our venue to somewhere not in Sussex.

We're using Sophie Martin Catering.

£20 per head for dinner

£10-20 for the evening BBQ

Canapes £1 each

65 guests = approximately £2500-£3000

Bar we're hiring in at £150 and they make their fee on the night.

It's when you realize you have to get tables, cloths, cutlery etc that the price goes up but then as we all know weddings aren't cheap. But paying roughly £40 per person to feed them twice is no more expensive than going to the pub.