Corporate cocktail reception budget in Paris: what it really costs
Three formulas of 8, 12 or 16 canapés, 20 or 100 people: a corporate cocktail reception costs €29.90 to €51.90 per person excl. VAT. Price grid and examples.
In short: a corporate cocktail reception in Paris and Île-de-France costs €29.90 to €51.90 per person excl. VAT depending on the formula, plus €29 excl. VAT for delivery in Paris and the nearby towns. The price per person depends on the number of canapés: 8, 12 or 16.
- L'Invitation: 8 canapés, €29.90 per person excl. VAT.
- La Réception: 12 canapés, €40.90 per person excl. VAT.
- La Célébration: 16 canapés, €51.90 per person excl. VAT.
- Example for 50 people: €1,495, €2,045 or €2,595 excl. VAT depending on the formula, plus €29 excl. VAT for delivery. €50 minimum order (excl. VAT).
The cocktail reception budget, the first question we are asked
Before even talking about the menu, most quote requests for a corporate cocktail reception start with the same question: how much will it cost? The answer depends on three things: the number of canapés per person, the level of the formula, and the number of guests. Here is a clear grid to build your budget before you even ask for a quote, in Paris and Île-de-France.
The three variables that set the price
1. Aperitif, lunch or dinner reception
An aperitif reception before a dinner is limited to 6-8 canapés per person: it is the cheapest format. A lunch reception, which replaces the midday meal, goes up to 12-14 canapés. A dinner reception in the evening, which replaces dinner, calls for 16-18 canapés with more substantial formats. The more the reception replaces a meal, the higher the budget.
2. The level of the formula
Our three formulas cover different needs: L'Invitation for a controlled budget, La Réception for a balance of quality and price, La Célébration for receptions that need to leave a lasting impression.
3. The number of guests
Delivery (€29 excl. VAT) is fixed whatever the headcount: it weighs proportionally less on a large budget. Conversely, for a small group, it is a more visible share of the total, to factor into your calculation.
Price grid by formula
| Formula | Price | Canapés per person | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| L'Invitation | €29.90 per person excl. VAT | 8 canapés | After-work drinks, team drinks, controlled budget |
| La Réception | €40.90 per person excl. VAT | 12 canapés | Client reception, launch, polished event |
| La Célébration | €51.90 per person excl. VAT | 16 canapés | Dinner reception, prestige event |
Details of the formulas on the corporate cocktail receptions page.
Examples of total budget
| Headcount | Formula | Calculation | Total budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 people | L'Invitation | €598 + €29 delivery | €627 excl. VAT |
| 40 people | L'Invitation | €1,196 + €29 delivery | €1,225 excl. VAT |
| 50 people | La Réception | €2,045 + €29 delivery | €2,074 excl. VAT |
| 100 people | La Réception | €4,090 + €29 delivery | €4,119 excl. VAT |
| 30 people | La Célébration | €1,557 + €29 delivery | €1,586 excl. VAT |
How to reduce the budget without spoiling the experience
Three simple levers: choose an aperitif format rather than a dinner reception if the timing allows, stay with the L'Invitation formula rather than La Réception when the setting is informal (team after-work drinks rather than a client reception), and group several small events into one larger order, since delivery is fixed whatever the headcount.
Ask for your cocktail reception quote
Order before 2 pm the day before, delivery from 6:30 am to 6 pm. €50 minimum order (excl. VAT). Company invoice showing VAT. Halal and pork-free by default, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options on request. Ask for your quote, reply within 24 hours with a budget set to your exact headcount.
To compare all year-end formats and their prices, see the costed guide to corporate year-end celebrations. For the drinks menu, see the guide alcohol-free cocktail reception at the office.
L'Écrin Traiteur prices, October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum budget for a corporate cocktail reception?
The minimum order is €50 excl. VAT. In practice, the cheapest cocktail reception is the L'Invitation formula, at €29.90 per person excl. VAT for 8 canapés. For 20 people, that comes to €598 excl. VAT, plus €29 excl. VAT for delivery in Paris and the nearby towns, so €627 excl. VAT in total.
How much does a cocktail reception for 50 people cost?
For 50 people, allow €1,495 excl. VAT with L'Invitation (8 canapés), €2,045 excl. VAT with La Réception (12 canapés) and €2,595 excl. VAT with La Célébration (16 canapés). Add €29 excl. VAT for delivery in Paris and the nearby towns: €1,524, €2,074 or €2,624 excl. VAT in total.
Is delivery included in the price per person?
No, delivery is added to the total: €29 excl. VAT per order in Paris and the nearby towns, whatever the headcount. Other areas of Île-de-France are priced on quote. For a large group, its weight in the budget falls: €29 is less than 2% of a cocktail reception for 50 people with L'Invitation.
Which formula for team after-work drinks?
The L'Invitation formula is enough for team after-work drinks: 8 canapés per person at €29.90 excl. VAT, which matches the guideline of 6 to 8 canapés for an aperitif reception. For 20 people, that comes to €598 excl. VAT plus €29 excl. VAT for delivery. Keep La Réception (€40.90 excl. VAT) or La Célébration (€51.90 excl. VAT) for client receptions.
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