One of the first questions couples ask us is simple: “What does a wedding reception dinner in Jacó actually cost?” Rather than hide behind a vague range, we want to lay the whole thing out in full detail — how our pricing works, what's included, what changes the number, and a real example quote for a 50-guest reception so you can see it in black and white. This is exactly how our private-chef wedding reception dinners are priced at www.jacobeachchef.com.
How our wedding reception dinner pricing works
We price wedding reception dinners on a simple per-guest rate. You multiply the per-person price by your final guest count, and that's your reception-dinner catering total — no hidden line items for the cook, the prep or the cleanup, because all of that is already baked into the per-person number. It's the clearest way we've found to budget a destination wedding, because the moment you know your headcount you know your food cost.
The worked example: a 50-guest reception dinner
For the celebration in the sample quote above, the reception dinner is priced at $40 per guest. With 50 guests that works out to:
- 50 guests × $40 per person = $2,000 for full private-chef reception-dinner catering
- 25% deposit to reserve the date = $500
- Balance due before the event = $1,500
That $40-per-guest rate is an actual quote, not a teaser number — it reflects a complete reception dinner for a group that size. Your own per-person rate may land above or below it depending on the choices below, which is exactly why every couple gets a custom quote instead of a one-size number.
What's included in the per-guest price
The per-person rate is genuinely all-in for the food service. For every reception dinner it covers:
- Menu planning & a tasting — we design the menu with you and you approve it before the day
- All grocery shopping & sourcing of fresh, local ingredients
- On-site food preparation by our private-chef team
- Chef service during your reception — plated or buffet-style
- Full clean-up of the kitchen and dining area afterward
You're hiring one accountable team for the entire dinner, start to finish — not stitching together a caterer, a line cook and a cleanup crew from three different invoices.
What's on the reception menu
The example dinner is built around fresh, grilled-to-order food that works beautifully for a large group:
- Main course grilled to perfection — steak, chicken and mahi fish
- Fresh salads and garlic bread
- Costa Rican favorites — patacones & ceviche, chifrio and classic sides
- Soft drinks & water (alcohol not included)
This is a starting point, not a fixed list. Swap in seafood towers, a carving station, vegetarian and kids' plates, or a plated multi-course dinner — the menu you choose is one of the biggest factors in your final per-person rate.
What changes your final price
Because every wedding is different, a handful of factors move the per-person number up or down. When we build your quote, these are what we look at:
- Guest count — larger receptions often bring the per-person rate down, since prep and staffing spread across more plates
- Menu & number of courses — a single grilled main sits at one price; a plated multi-course dinner, premium cuts or a seafood spread sits higher
- Service style — buffet versus fully plated and served
- Add-ons — appetizer and dessert stations, a cake, extra waitstaff, or bar service (alcohol is quoted separately)
- Venue & logistics — kitchen access and the location of your reception in or around Jacó
We walk through all of this with you up front so the quote you get is the quote you pay — no surprises on the day.
Deposit & payment
To reserve your date we take a 25% deposit — $500 on this $2,000 example — with the balance due shortly before the event. We accept Zelle and PayPal (PayPal adds a small processing fee). The deposit locks in your date and our team, and from there we handle the planning so you can be a guest at your own wedding rather than the project manager.
Get a custom quote for your own reception
This example gives you a clear, honest starting point for budgeting a wedding reception dinner in Jacó, but your real number comes from your guest count and menu. For the full picture — and to see our catering and group services — visit www.jacobeachchef.com or browse the menu and services.
Ready for your own numbers? Request a free quote or message us on WhatsApp with your date and guest count, and we'll build a detailed reception-dinner quote just like this one.