A La Carte Catering in Atlanta: How It Works for Weddings and Social Events

Planning a wedding, birthday, or social event in Atlanta and wondering about a la carte catering? In this city, where events range from rooftop receptions in Midtown to backyard gatherings in Kirkwood, a la carte catering can give you more control over your menu, budget, and style than a standard package.

This guide explains what a la carte catering in Atlanta means, how it compares to package pricing, what it typically costs, and how to choose the right option for your event.

What Does “A La Carte Catering” Mean in Atlanta?

A la carte catering simply means you select and pay for individual items or services separately instead of buying a pre-set package.

Instead of choosing “Wedding Package A” that includes hors d’oeuvres, a buffet, cake cutting, and coffee service, you might choose:

• Specific appetizers
• One or two entrée options
• Sides and salads
• Dessert or cake service
• Bar staffing only (or no bar at all)
• Optional add-ons like late-night snacks, coffee station, or upgraded linens

In Atlanta, this approach is common for:

• Intimate weddings (Poncey-Highland lofts, small venues on the BeltLine)
• Backyard or park events (e.g., Grant Park, Piedmont Park pavilions where allowed)
• Social events like milestone birthdays, showers, engagement parties, and rehearsal dinners
• Non-traditional venues that don’t require a specific caterer

You’re essentially building your own menu and service plan, item by item.

A La Carte vs. Package Catering: What’s Different?

Many Atlanta caterers offer both a la carte and pre-set packages. Understanding the trade-offs can help you decide what works best for your event.

Key Differences at a Glance

When A La Carte Makes Sense in Atlanta

A la carte catering can be a strong fit if you:

• Are on a tight or specific budget and want to control each line item
• Need to accommodate multiple dietary needs (vegan, gluten-free, halal, etc.)
• Are hosting an event at a non-traditional venue (art gallery in Castleberry Hill, studio spaces, private homes)
• Want a cocktail-style reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres instead of a plated dinner
• Prefer to handle some components yourself (e.g., you provide desserts, caterer handles savory foods)

Packages, on the other hand, can be more convenient for full-service weddings at venues that are used to “all-in-one” pricing.

Typical A La Carte Catering Options in Atlanta

Every caterer builds their menu differently, but in Atlanta you’re likely to see a la carte options broken down into:

1. Appetizers and Hors d’Oeuvres

These are commonly priced per piece or per tray. Atlanta menus often include:

• Southern bites: mini chicken and waffles, fried green tomato sliders, pimento cheese crostini
• Global flavors: Korean BBQ skewers, jerk chicken bites, mini empanadas, samosas
• Vegetarian/vegan options: stuffed mushrooms, hummus cups, seasonal vegetable skewers

You might select:

• 3–5 types of appetizers
• A specific number of pieces per guest (common planning range is 4–10 pieces per person depending on whether it’s a full meal or pre-dinner snack)

2. Main Courses (Entrées)

Entrées may be offered a la carte as:

• Plated entrées (per guest, per entrée)
• Buffet entrées (per pan, per tray, or per person)
• Family-style platters (large shared dishes for each table)

Atlanta-friendly options often include:

• Southern comfort: braised short rib, fried or roasted chicken, shrimp and grits
• Seafood: salmon, crab cakes (common for Buckhead and Midtown receptions)
• Plant-based: grain bowls, roasted vegetable stacks, pastas with dairy-free sauces

You can mix and match: for example, choose one meat entrée and one vegetarian entrée.

3. Sides and Salads

These are often priced per tray, pan, or per person. Common Atlanta-style sides:

• Mac and cheese, collard greens, roasted seasonal vegetables
• Stone-ground grits, cornbread, biscuits
• Mixed green salads with local or seasonal toppings

Since these are a la carte, you can decide whether you want a single salad and one starch, or a more expansive spread.

4. Desserts and Cake Service

For weddings and social events, dessert options may include:

• Cake cutting and plating service
• A dessert display (mini pies, cookies, tarts, banana pudding shooters)
• Specialty desserts like peach cobbler or bourbon bread pudding

Some couples in Atlanta bring in a separate bakery for the main wedding cake and hire the caterer only for:

• Cutting
• Plating
• Serving and bussing

This is a common a-la-carte-style arrangement.

5. Beverage and Bar Service

A la carte bar service can be structured several ways in Atlanta, depending on venue rules and alcohol licensing:

• Staff only (you supply alcohol; they provide bartenders, ice, mixers)
• Full bar package (per-person pricing, sometimes still broken out by type of drink)
• Non-alcoholic stations only (sweet tea, lemonade, infused water, coffee)

For weddings and social events, many Atlanta couples choose:

• A beer and wine bar only, or
• A limited signature cocktail + beer/wine to control costs

Your caterer or bar service may price all of this a la carte (each additional hour of bartending, each additional station, glassware rental, etc.).

6. Staffing, Rentals, and Extras

With a la carte catering, labor and equipment are often listed separately. You may see line items for:

• Chefs, servers, and bartenders (hourly or flat rates)
• Setup and breakdown time
• China, glassware, flatware, chargers
• Linens and napkins
• Chafers, beverage dispensers, coffee urns

In Atlanta, some venues (especially in-town lofts or historic homes) may require you to rent most items, so a la carte pricing helps you see exactly what you’re paying for.

How Much Does A La Carte Catering Cost in Atlanta?

Exact pricing varies by caterer, season, and menu, but you can use these rough patterns to plan:

• Appetizers: Often priced per piece or per guest. Heavier, more complex, or meat-heavy bites typically cost more.
• Entrées: Plated dinners usually cost more per person than buffets because of labor and plating. Premium proteins (steak, certain seafood) increase cost.
• Sides and salads: Generally less per person than entrées; upscale ingredients (heirloom vegetables, specialty grains) cost more.
• Desserts: Plated desserts usually cost more than a simple dessert bar; cake cutting service is often a separate fee.
• Bar:
  • If you provide your own alcohol, you still pay for bartenders, mixers, ice, and glassware.
  • Full bar packages are usually structured per person and per hour.
• Staffing and rentals: Labor in Atlanta is a meaningful part of the budget, especially if your venue has stairs, limited elevators, or tight load-in windows, which can add setup time.

A la carte gives you the ability to say, for example:

• “We’ll skip coffee service and late-night snacks to save money.”
• “We’ll do heavy hors d’oeuvres instead of a full plated meal.”
• “We’ll rent basic white linens instead of specialty fabrics.”

By adjusting line items, you can keep your overall cost closer to your target.

Venue Rules in Atlanta That Affect A La Carte Catering

When planning a wedding or social event in Atlanta, venue policies can shape how you use a la carte catering.

1. Preferred or Exclusive Caterers

Many venues in Atlanta (especially larger ones in Midtown, Buckhead, and Downtown) have:

• Exclusive caterers (you must use their team, often with package-style pricing)
• Preferred caterer lists (you can choose from a limited set, some of which offer a la carte)

If you’re set on building your own menu piece by piece, ask venues early:

• “Can I bring in an outside caterer?”
• “Do you allow a la carte catering, or only packages?”

2. Parks and City Facilities

If your event is at a park or public facility in Atlanta, you may need special permits and must follow food and alcohol rules. For example:

• City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation
  • 233 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1700, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main line: 404-546-6813

Before booking a caterer, clarify with the city or facility:

• Whether open flame cooking is allowed onsite
• Rules for alcohol service (some parks and civic venues have restrictions)
• Whether food trucks or off-site prepared food are permitted

This will determine whether your caterer can provide full service, drop-off only, or a combination.

3. Private Homes and Neighborhood Restrictions

For backyard weddings and social events in Atlanta neighborhoods (Virginia-Highland, Decatur, West End, etc.):

• Check neighborhood or HOA rules about parking, noise, and trucks.
• Ask your caterer about kitchen needs—some prefer or require a staging area or rental kitchen equipment for hot food.

A la carte can work especially well at home events since you can mix:

• Professional catering for key courses
• Homemade contribution from family (like desserts or appetizers), where permitted by your caterer’s policies

How to Plan A La Carte Catering for a Wedding in Atlanta

If you’re planning a wedding specifically, here’s a step-by-step way to approach a la carte catering in the Atlanta area.

1. Set a Realistic Food and Beverage Budget

Decide your overall budget, then estimate how much you can put toward:

• Food (appetizers, main, dessert)
• Bar and beverages
• Staff and rentals

In Atlanta, where venues and bar costs can add up quickly, it helps to set a per-person target and share it openly with caterers.

2. Choose Your Service Style

Decide how you want the event to feel:

• Plated dinner – More formal, more staff, often higher cost
• Buffet – More relaxed, can be cost-effective and flexible
• Family-style – Shared platters, a balance between buffet and plated
• Cocktail-style reception – Heavy hors d’oeuvres and stations instead of a seated meal

Then use a la carte options to build that format:

• Choose a set number of appetizers
• One or two entrée options
• Two or three sides
• A dessert strategy (cake only, or cake + dessert table)

3. Account for Dietary Needs Early

Atlanta events typically include guests with varied dietary needs. When planning a la carte:

• Ask your caterer which vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free items they can offer
• Make sure at least one entrée and a few sides meet common restrictions
• Clarify how these items will be labeled on buffets or stations

This helps you avoid last-minute custom dishes that can drive up cost.

4. Coordinate With Your Venue

Confirm with your venue:

• Load-in and load-out times
• Use of onsite kitchen or prep areas
• Any fees for outside catering
• Requirements for caterer’s insurance and licenses

Many Atlanta venues will ask for a certificate of insurance from your caterer; reputable caterers are used to this and can provide it.

5. Get Detailed Written Proposals

When comparing a la carte quotes from multiple Atlanta caterers, ask each for:

• Itemized menu and pricing
• Separate line items for labor, rentals, and service charges
• Explanation of service style (how many staff, how food is presented)
• Clear note on tax and any additional fees

This makes it easier to see where one caterer might include things (like coffee service or basic linens) that another lists as extra.

A La Carte Catering for Other Social Events in Atlanta

For non-wedding social events—such as graduation parties, milestone birthdays, or baby showers—a la carte catering can be even more flexible.

Common Atlanta use cases:

• Brunch events: Build-your-own menu of quiches, shrimp and grits, biscuits, fruit displays, and pastries.
• Game day gatherings: Wings, sliders, dips, and finger foods as a la carte trays.
• Office or coworking space events: Drop-off catering with disposable platters and minimal staff.

If your event is at a community center or rented hall, you may have more freedom to mix:

• Professional hot items from a caterer
• Store-bought items
• Homemade desserts or snacks

Just make sure this aligns with the facility’s rules and the caterer’s policies.

Questions to Ask an Atlanta Caterer About A La Carte Options

When you reach out to caterers, these questions can clarify whether a la carte catering will work well for you:

1. Do you offer a la carte or only set packages?
2. What is your minimum spend or guest count?
3. Can I mix a la carte items with any existing packages?
4. How do you price staff, rentals, and bar service?
5. Can I provide my own alcohol? If so, what do you charge for bartending and mixers?
6. How do you handle dietary restrictions and labeling?
7. What is your typical service style for events of my size and venue type in Atlanta?
8. Are there any additional fees I should expect (travel, service charge, late-night surcharge)?

Taking notes and comparing answers will help you understand which caterer’s a la carte setup fits your event best.

Practical Takeaways for A La Carte Catering in Atlanta

• A la carte catering in Atlanta lets you customize your menu and services item by item, which can help with both personalization and budget control.
• It’s especially useful for smaller weddings, backyard events, park gatherings, and non-traditional venues where you want flexibility.
• Costs in Atlanta are influenced by service style, menu choices, staffing needs, and venue rules, so ask for detailed, itemized proposals.
• Before booking a caterer, verify venue requirements, including any preferred caterer lists, outside catering fees, and alcohol policies.
• For weddings and social events, decide early on your service style, guest count, and per-person budget, then use a la carte options to build around those anchors.

With a clear budget and the right questions, a la carte catering in Atlanta can give you a tailored, memorable event without paying for services or menu items you don’t actually need.