The short answer
For the example below, charge about $37 a ticket.
That covers $1,580 in costs for 60 people and leaves $600 profit; the break-even price is $26.34. With One Ticket’s booking fee passed on, buyers pay $38.92 and you receive $37 a ticket.
This is an example, not a quote or an average: use your own costs in the calculator below.
The example budget
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Decorations | $80 |
| Catering | $25 a person ($1,500 for 60) |
| Total costs | $1,580 |
| People expected | 60 |
| Profit wanted | $600 |
Worked example
At $37 a ticket, what you receive and keep if fewer than 60 come:
| Attendance | You receive | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| Half (30 people) | $1,110 | $280 |
| Three quarters (45 people) | $1,665 | $460 |
| All 60 people | $2,220 | $640 |
And at the prices either side:
| Ticket price | Buyer pays | Profit at 60 people | People to break even |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35 | $36.88 | $520 | 8 people |
| $36 | $37.90 | $580 | 8 people |
| $37 | $38.92 | $640 | 7 people |
| $38 | $39.93 | $700 | 7 people |
| $39 | $40.95 | $760 | 6 people |
Try your own numbers
The calculator starts with the example’s figures: change any of them.
- Break-even price
- $26.34
- Suggested price
- $37
- Buyer pays
- $38.92
- You receive a ticket
- $37
Charge $37 a ticket. Buyers pay $38.92 with One Ticket’s booking fee, and you receive $37 a ticket. At 60 people you receive $2,220, $640 more than the $1,580 in costs.
If fewer people come
| Attendance | You receive | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| Half (30 people) | $1,110 | $280 |
| Three quarters (45 people) | $1,665 | $460 |
| All 60 people | $2,220 | $640 |
Prices either side
| Ticket price | Buyer pays | Profit if all come | People to break even |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35 | $36.88 | $520 | 8 people |
| $36 | $37.90 | $580 | 8 people |
| $37 | $38.92 | $640 | 7 people |
| $38 | $39.93 | $700 | 7 people |
| $39 | $40.95 | $760 | 6 people |
Tips for a church dinner
If the dinner raises money, include the amount you hope to raise as profit. Free registration can sit beside paid tickets for guests the church is hosting.
More in the guide: How to run tickets and registration for a church event or fundraiser.
A refund policy to match: Refund policy template for a church dinner.
The booking fee
One Ticket adds a booking fee at checkout: $1.92 on a $37 ticket, paid by the buyer, so you receive the whole price. It is the same on every plan, free tickets carry none and the Free plan has no monthly cost. See One Ticket pricing.
Common questions
- How much should I charge for a church dinner?
- For the example budget on this page ($1,580 in costs for 60 people, $600 profit), about $37 a ticket. It is an example: use your own costs.
- What should a church dinner ticket cover?
- In this example: decorations, catering. Count the costs paid for each person apart from the ones paid once, and add any profit you want.
- What if fewer people come?
- At $37 a ticket the example makes a profit of $280 with 30 people and a profit of $460 with 45.
- Who pays the booking fee?
- The buyer, on top of the ticket price: $1.92 on a $37 ticket, so you receive the whole $37.