Franklin Dean
Catering for a wedding can be expensive, with costs depending on the number of guests, menu options, service style, and location. The average cost for wedding catering is around $70 per person, but prices can range from $15 to $150 per person. To keep costs down, it's important to choose the right caterer and menu options. One way to save money is to opt for a less traditional venue that allows you to hire any vendor for catering. You can also consider having a brunch or lunch wedding, as dinner is typically the most expensive meal to serve. Using disposable dinnerware or limiting the number of guests can also help reduce costs.
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What You'll Learn
Choose a cheaper meal time: brunch, lunch, or appetizers only
Dinner is the most expensive meal to serve at a wedding, but it is not your only option. If you're open to alternatives, you can save a lot of money. Here are some cheaper meal times to consider:
Brunch
Brunch is a great way to save money on your wedding catering. The first meal of the day is typically less costly because it usually includes cheaper ingredients like eggs and potatoes and smaller amounts of meat. You can also serve breakfast foods that are easy to prepare and don't require a lot of expensive ingredients, such as quiche, French toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs, omelets, fruit, and pastries. A brunch wedding can be a unique and memorable experience for your guests.
Lunch
Lunch is typically less expensive than dinner, and you can still offer a variety of options to accommodate different dietary restrictions. Consider foods that are easy to prepare and don't require a lot of expensive ingredients. For example, sandwiches, salads, and bowls can be a great way to keep costs down while still offering a delicious and satisfying meal for your guests.
Appetizers only
Another option to consider is serving appetizers only. This can be a more affordable option than a full dinner service, and it can also be a fun and interactive experience for your guests. You can offer a variety of snacks and cocktails that can accommodate different dietary restrictions. By serving appetizers, you may also avoid the issue of guests becoming too full after cocktail hour to enjoy their meals during dinner.
When choosing a meal time for your wedding, it's important to consider your budget and the preferences of your guests. Be sure to communicate your budget to your caterer and ask about their menu options to find the best fit for your special day.
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Pick a less expensive type of food: pasta, pizza, tacos, or BBQ
Pasta, pizza, tacos, and BBQ are all great options for feeding your wedding guests without breaking the bank. Here are some tips and ideas to help you plan a delicious and budget-friendly meal for your big day:
Pasta
Pasta is a versatile and affordable option that can be dressed up or down to fit your wedding style. You can set up a pasta station where guests can choose their own sauces, toppings, and ingredients to create a customised dish. This interactive approach adds a fun element to your reception and can be done with the help of a caterer or even a local Italian restaurant. If you're worried about mess, opt for bite-sized pasta shapes like penne or bowtie noodles.
Pizza
Pizza is a crowd-pleaser and can be a great budget-friendly option for your wedding. To elevate it beyond a simple delivery order, consider hiring a food truck with a pizza oven to serve fresh, hot pizzas throughout the event. You can also set up a pizza bar or buffet, allowing guests to choose their own toppings and create a more interactive dining experience.
Tacos
Tacos are a fun and inexpensive option for wedding catering. You can set up a DIY taco bar where guests assemble their own tacos, or you can hire chefs to prepare custom tacos for your guests. This option allows for a variety of toppings and fillings to accommodate different dietary restrictions and preferences.
BBQ
Backyard BBQs are a perfect casual choice for summer weddings, especially if you have a small guest list. Pulled pork or brisket sandwiches, potatoes, green beans, mac & cheese, rolls, and salads are all great options to serve alongside grilled meats. BBQs can also be made more formal with a sit-down dinner and utensils, ensuring a mess-free experience for your guests.
Remember, when planning your wedding catering on a budget, it's essential to understand all the associated costs, including food, beverages, labour, and equipment. Don't be afraid to get creative, and always make sure to choose a caterer or restaurant that fits your taste, budget, and style.
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Use a restaurant or food truck instead of a caterer
If you're looking for an alternative to traditional wedding caterers, consider hiring a restaurant or food truck to provide the food for your big day. This can be a more affordable option, and it also offers a unique and interactive dining experience for your guests.
When choosing a restaurant, look for one that you and your family enjoy ordering from for special occasions. Contact the restaurant and order a meal that can be served family-style or buffet-style, bypassing the need for a full-service setup and cleanup. This will likely be much cheaper than hiring a professional caterer, and your guests will get to enjoy food from one of your favourite local spots. You can also ask about trays of food to be delivered, which can be a more cost-effective option than a full-service restaurant catering package.
If you're looking for something more unique, consider hiring a food truck. Food trucks provide tasty, mobile food with a wide variety of cuisine options. They can be a great way to personalise your wedding and create an unforgettable experience for your guests. Food trucks are typically more affordable than traditional catering options, but it's important to keep in mind that they may have travel distance limitations, venue accessibility rules, and parking and food serving regulations. Be sure to do your research on the laws, permits, and regulations that apply to food trucks in your area, and discuss with your venue to ensure that all the necessary arrangements can be made.
To ensure your guests don't have to wait too long for their food, consider hiring more than one food truck if you're hosting a large wedding. You can also use food trucks for specific courses, such as appetizers, desserts, or late-night snacks, rather than the main meal. This will help to keep wait times to a minimum and ensure your guests have an enjoyable dining experience.
Whether you choose a restaurant or a food truck, this alternative to traditional catering can be a great way to save money and create a memorable experience for your wedding guests.
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Ask friends and family to help with food prep
When it comes to wedding planning, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the seemingly endless details that need to be carefully considered and executed. Luckily, you don't have to do it alone! Asking friends and family to help with food prep for your wedding is a fantastic way to involve your loved ones and keep costs down. Here are some tips to guide you through this process:
Identify Talented Individuals in Your Circle
Think about your friends and family members who are talented in the kitchen or have a passion for cooking and baking. Perhaps your aunt is known for her delicious quiches, or your friend always brings mouth-watering appetisers to parties. Identify these culinary masters in your circle and consider reaching out to them for assistance.
Be Clear and Specific with Your Requests
When asking for help, be as clear and specific as possible. Let's say you want your cousin to bake her famous chocolate chip cookies for the dessert table. Instead of a vague request, try saying, "I'd love it if you could bake your chocolate chip cookies for the wedding. I think they'd be a huge hit with our guests!" Being specific makes it easier for people to understand your vision and know exactly how they can contribute.
Offer to Cover Ingredient Costs and Compensation
While your loved ones may be eager to help, it's important to respect their time and contributions. Offer to buy all the ingredients they'll need and consider compensating them for their time, especially if they're taking on a significant role in the food preparation. This way, they don't incur any personal expenses, and it still works out cheaper than hiring a professional caterer.
Create a Shared Document for Planning
Use a shared document, like a Google Doc or a spreadsheet, to keep everyone organised and on the same page. This document can include recipes, ingredient lists, and any special instructions. It can also be a place for people to ask questions, make suggestions, and coordinate any shopping or cooking they plan to do ahead of time.
Host a Group Cooking Session
Turn food prep into a fun group activity! Invite your friends and family over for a cooking session, where everyone can pitch in and prepare dishes together. Put on some music, pour some drinks, and make it a joyful and memorable experience. This approach not only lightens the workload but also adds a special touch of love and camaraderie to your wedding preparations.
Remember, most people are willing to help and may just be waiting for you to ask. By involving your friends and family in the food prep, you're not only saving money but also creating opportunities for meaningful connections and unique, personalised touches that will make your wedding day even more special.
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Choose seasonal, local ingredients and dishes
Choosing seasonal and local ingredients is a great way to save money on your wedding catering. Opting for in-season produce means you can source ingredients locally, which is often cheaper and more sustainable than importing them. Local farmers' markets or farms are a good place to start, and you can also ask your wedding venue if they source any produce locally.
Seasonal ingredients are also a wonderful way to add a unique touch to your wedding menu. For example, if you're getting married in the spring, you could serve asparagus with a custom seasoning or topping. Or, if your wedding is in the summer, opt for a colourful salad with vibrant vegetables. You could even create a farm-to-table menu, showcasing the local ingredients you've sourced.
In addition to saving money, choosing local and seasonal ingredients can also add a personal touch to your wedding. If you're getting married in your hometown, consider incorporating ingredients or dishes that are unique to the region. This can be a fun way to share a piece of your heritage or culture with your guests.
When planning your menu, keep in mind that certain types of dishes may be more expensive than others. For example, a plated sit-down dinner is the most traditional and popular option, but it can also be more costly because it requires more staff to serve the food. On the other hand, a buffet-style or family-style meal can be more affordable, as guests can serve themselves.
To save money, you could also consider hosting your wedding during the day and serving a brunch menu. Breakfast is typically less expensive than other meals because it usually requires less meat and more affordable ingredients like eggs and potatoes.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to save money on wedding catering. You can choose a less expensive meal option, such as brunch or lunch, instead of dinner. You can also opt for seasonal and local ingredients, which tend to be cheaper and fresher. If you're inviting over 100 people, it may be more cost-effective to choose a buffet-style meal instead of a plated dinner. You can also save money by choosing a less expensive wedding cake, such as a naked cake with minimal decoration or a smaller cake.
The cost of wedding catering can vary depending on the number of guests, menu options, service style, and location. On average, wedding catering costs can range from $15 to $150 per person, with the national average being around $70 per person.
Some cheap food options for wedding catering include pasta, tacos, pizza, and BBQ. You can also consider having a restaurant cater your wedding, which can be more affordable than hiring a professional caterer.
One way to save money on drinks is to have a limited bar or only serve beer and wine. You can also ask your venue about bringing your own alcohol, which can sometimes be cheaper than purchasing it through the venue.
To save money on wedding catering without sacrificing quality, consider choosing a menu with cheaper ingredients such as chicken or salmon instead of filet mignon, lobster, or oysters. You can also ask your caterer about their most affordable options and be upfront about your budget.
