Small wedding buffets from your home kitchen

Couples and their families, often hosting 30 to 80 guests or an evening reception after a wedding breakfast.

A set price per head for a chosen menu, with extras for serving platters, disposables or hire of simple buffet equipment.

• Cooking in batches
• Planning menus and quantities
• Food hygiene
• Reliable and calm under pressure

• Food business registration with your local council, usually needed at least 28 days before you start trading, check with your council
• Allergen rules: you must be able to give accurate allergen information for every dish
• Public liability insurance, and check whether product liability is included
• Permission from your landlord or mortgage lender to run a food business from home
• Safe transport and temperature control for food, plus a food safety management plan (such as Safer Food Better Business)

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £500 to £3,000, depending on the equipment, packaging and transport you need and how you set up your kitchen. Your costs may differ, so list what you need before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £3,000, depending on how many events you take and how many guests you cater for. The estimate starts from about 8 hours a week. Revenue is not profit, as ingredients and other costs come out of it.

Check food business registration with your local council, usually needed at least 28 days before trading. Check allergen rules, public liability insurance, permission from your landlord or mortgage lender, and safe food transport and temperature control, including a food safety management plan.