Food trucks have become one of the more popular alternatives to a plated wedding dinner in Auckland, and for good reason – guests get to choose what they eat, service feels relaxed rather than formal, and it suits everything from a full vineyard wedding to a small backyard ceremony. Done well, it doesn’t have to look “casual” at all.
How many trucks, and how it’s timed
As a rough guide, a single truck comfortably serves 80 to 120 guests within a typical service window – long enough for everyone to be fed without a long queue eating into the reception. Above that guest count, or if you want to offer a second cuisine (a dessert or coffee truck alongside a main), two trucks running side by side is the more common choice. Timing matters as much as truck count: most couples either serve food before the speeches, so nobody’s distracted by hunger, or straight after, so the meal flows directly into dancing. Share your run sheet with your vendor early – they’ll tell you realistically how long their service takes for your guest number, which shapes the rest of your evening’s timing.
What it costs
Wedding catering via food truck typically runs from around $3,000 to $5,000 or more for 80-150 guests, depending on cuisine, guest count and how long the truck is on site – broadly similar to what a mid-range plated caterer charges per head, though the format and guest experience are very different. Get quotes early: pricing depends on your specific date, guest count and venue, and popular vendors for wedding season book out fastest.
Venue and access considerations
Vineyard, garden and rural wedding venues rarely have a catering kitchen on site, which is exactly the gap a food truck fills – most carry their own generator and water, so they don’t depend on the venue for power. What still matters is physical access: a truck needs a reasonably flat, solid surface and enough clearance to get in and out, which is worth checking for grass venues, gravel driveways and anywhere with a narrow gate. If your wedding is on public land – a park or beach, rather than a private venue – factor in a council vending permit as part of your planning timeline.
Wet weather and dietary needs
Ask your vendor about wet-weather service as part of your initial quote, not as an afterthought closer to the date – most operate through light rain, but heavier weather needs either a marquee or an indoor fallback from your venue. Most vendors can also accommodate vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free guests if you share rough numbers in advance, so it’s worth including that in your first enquiry rather than raising it later.
Getting quotes for your wedding
Submit your event details – date, venue, guest numbers, the kind of food you’re after – and vendors who fit contact you directly with pricing. Compare a few before you commit; there’s no fee for organisers either way. For the full timeline, see the wedding planning checklist, or how many trucks you need if your guest count is on the larger side.
Frequently asked questions
Is a food truck a formal enough option for a wedding?
It can be as formal or relaxed as you want -- plenty of couples pair a food truck with proper crockery, a plated-style presentation and table service, rather than paper trays. Talk to your vendor about the look you're after; most can adjust presentation to suit.
How many food trucks do we need for our wedding?
As a rough guide, one truck comfortably serves 80-120 guests within a typical service window. For larger weddings, or if you want to offer more than one cuisine, two trucks running in parallel keeps the queue moving and gives guests a choice.
Does a food truck need power and water at our venue?
Most trucks carry their own generator and water tank, which is why they suit rural and vineyard venues that don't have a catering kitchen on site. Confirm this with your vendor regardless -- some larger setups do request a power point.
What happens if it rains on the day?
Trucks operate through light rain with guests sheltering under a marquee or the truck's own awning. Ask your vendor about their wet-weather approach when you book, and check whether your venue has an indoor or covered fallback for anything heavier.
How do we time food truck service around speeches and the first dance?
Most couples serve either before speeches (so guests aren't hungry during them) or straight after, timed to flow into dancing. Share your run sheet with your vendor when you book -- they'll tell you how long their service realistically takes so you can plan around it.
Vendors
Food trucks available for your event
Ready to book food trucks for your event?
Tell us what you are planning and we will match you with vendors who fit. No fees for organisers.