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Wedding planners say large wedding feasts rely heavily on commercial LPG cylinders for bulk cooking and live food counters, making them vulnerable to supply disruptions.
Some wedding vendors say the rise in fuel costs could also be reflected in per-plate catering prices.
LPG Shortage: Wedding planners and caterers in Delhi-NCR have warned that disruptions in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders and rising fuel prices could push wedding catering costs higher by 10 to 20 per cent if the situation persists.
The warning comes as restaurants and commercial kitchens in parts of the city report irregular LPG supplies, prompting vendors involved in large wedding events to closely monitor the situation ahead of the upcoming wedding season.
Catering costs could rise if supply issues continue
Wedding planners say large wedding feasts in the region rely heavily on commercial LPG cylinders for bulk cooking and live food counters, making them vulnerable to supply disruptions.
Mohsin Khan, a planner with Vivah Luxury Weddings, said vendors are already concerned about the availability of cylinders.
“Caterers for weddings and large events need substantial commercial cylinders for bulk cooking and live stations. Many vendors report that their stock lasts only two to four days, so we are already witnessing discussions about simpler menus, fewer live cooking options, and price hikes of around 10 to 15 per cent being passed on to clients,” he told news agency PTI.
Khan also advised couples planning weddings in the coming months to finalise caterers early.
“Some teams are bulk-preparing off-site or suggesting smaller guest lists. I recommend that couples lock in caterers early and have backup plans,” he added.
Outdoor weddings may face greater impact
Wedding planners say the impact could be more visible in outdoor weddings where caterers depend entirely on LPG cylinders for cooking.
A wedding planner from northwest Delhi told PTI that venues such as hotels and resorts may face fewer difficulties as they usually rely on piped gas supply.
“If the function is in a hotel or resort, they usually have pipeline gas and may not face much difficulty. But in outdoor weddings, caterers rely heavily on LPG cylinders,” he said.
He added that maintaining food temperature during long events also requires continuous gas usage.
“Food must be kept warm for two to three hours while guests are served, requiring continuous gas use. If the shortage continues, catering prices will inevitably increase, and clients may have to pay thousands of rupees more,” he said.
Catering costs form major part of wedding budget
Wedding planners say catering is one of the largest components of the overall wedding budget, meaning any increase in fuel costs could significantly affect final expenses.
Sangeeta, a wedding planner based in South Delhi, said the impact may become visible if the supply situation does not improve soon.
“If the issue persists in the coming days, we could see a rise of around 10 to 20 per cent in catering costs,” she told PTI.
Adding that there has been no major increase yet, she said, “The catering portion is a major part of the overall wedding budget, so if catering prices increase, it will directly affect the final cost for clients.”
She also noted that caterers could reduce fuel usage if required.
“Caterers may choose to reduce the number of live cooking stations to avoid significant gas consumption,” she said.
Rising LPG prices adding to pressure
City caterers say rising commercial LPG cylinder prices are also adding pressure on operating costs.
Rajesh of the Dwarka-based catering firm Get Your Menu told PTI that prices of commercial cylinders have increased sharply in recent weeks.
“Previously, we paid about Rs 1,700 to Rs 1,800 for commercial cylinders, but some industry colleagues have reported prices soaring to around Rs 3,000,” he said.
He added that if the situation continues, catering prices may rise by at least 10 per cent depending on the package and menu.
Per-plate costs may also increase
Some wedding vendors say the rise in fuel costs could also be reflected in per-plate catering prices.
Vitnesh Gaur of Wedding Decor by Gaur in South Delhi told PTI that LPG costs play a major role in catering operations.
“If a plate currently costs around Rs 2,000, it could go up to around Rs 2,500 if gas prices rise because LPG and fuel costs play a major role in catering operations,” he said.
“As an example, if we cater for around 100 guests and currently charge between Rs 1 to Rs 2 lakh, the total cost could increase to around Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 lakh depending on the chosen package,” he added, noting that his team has not faced immediate supply disruptions yet.
Some caterers see limited immediate impact
However, some caterers believe the impact could initially remain moderate.
Himanshu Mittal of Foxnut Catering in Chhatarpur told PTI that plate prices may increase only slightly if the situation continues.
“There is a possibility that plate prices could increase by around five per cent if the situation continues,” he said.
Mittal added that LPG is only one of several operational costs for catering businesses and that the company has not yet experienced supply disruptions.
Govt revises gas allocation priority
Meanwhile, amid disruptions in energy supplies linked to the widening West Asia conflict, the government has revised the priority order for allocating domestically produced natural gas.
Under the revised allocation notified through a gazette notification, LPG production has been placed alongside CNG and piped cooking gas at the top of the priority list. Their requirements will be fully met before natural gas is supplied to other sectors.
March 12, 2026, 17:24 IST
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