Make A Splash With A Budget Wedding Reception Dinner

Planning a wedding can be expensive, with the average wedding in the United States costing just under $34,000. However, it is possible to host a memorable wedding reception dinner on a budget. Here are some tips to make a good impression while saving money:

- Choose a venue that allows outside food and skip venues that require in-house catering.

- Opt for a small guest list as this reduces costs for food, beverages, tables, table settings, and invitations.

- Consider having the reception at a friend or relative's home, or look for free venues such as a backyard or town hall.

- Time your wedding for the off-season, such as during winter, and avoid Saturdays as these tend to be more affordable.

- Serve a variety of affordable and filling appetizers, such as bar snacks, crudites trays, pita and hummus, and cheese plates.

- Offer a single-course dinner or skip dinner entirely and focus on heavy appetizers.

- Research ingredient costs and choose cheaper alternatives, such as vegetarian or non-traditional cuts of meat.

- Buy alcohol and cocktail ingredients in bulk and stick to beer and wine instead of hard liquor.

- Use disposable and eco-friendly serving ware to save on cleaning costs.

- Get creative with decorations, such as using mismatched china or buying decor from thrift stores.

- Provide entertainment such as lawn games, a photo booth, or a live band to keep guests entertained.

- Ask for help from friends and family with food or other wedding preparations.

- Keep the reception short to reduce costs.

With careful planning and creativity, it is possible to have a memorable wedding reception dinner without breaking the bank.

Choose a venue with a unique feature, like an exposed brick wall, to use as a built-in backdrop

Planning a wedding on a budget can be challenging, but it is possible to make an impression with a cheap reception dinner. One way to do this is to choose a venue with a unique feature, like an exposed brick wall, that can be used as a built-in backdrop. This can save you money on decorations and create a stylish setting for your celebration.

When it comes to wedding venues with exposed brick walls, there are several options to consider. One option is to look for industrial-style venues, which often feature exposed brick, steel beams, large windows, and concrete flooring. Converted warehouses, refurbished factories, and renovated spaces in former industrial areas are all great choices for this style. These venues offer a chic and modern setting for your wedding while also providing a blank canvas that you can decorate according to your taste and budget.

Another option is to seek out unique venues that may have exposed brick walls as part of their architecture. For example, you could consider a historic building, such as a former naval training centre, a museum, a boutique hotel, or even a winery or brewery. These types of venues often have interesting features like high ceilings, large windows, and distinctive artwork that can enhance the atmosphere of your wedding.

When choosing a venue with an exposed brick wall, consider how the wall can be used as a built-in backdrop for your ceremony or reception. You may only need a few small altar arrangements or additional decorations to finish the setup, as the wall itself will already provide a stylish and memorable setting. Additionally, exposed brick walls pair well with a variety of wedding themes and colour palettes, making it easy to incorporate them into your vision for the big day.

By choosing a venue with a unique feature like an exposed brick wall, you can create a stylish and impressive setting for your wedding while also saving money on decorations and other expenses. Remember to visit the venue beforehand to ensure it aligns with your vision and to ask about any restrictions or requirements they may have. With careful planning and creativity, you can definitely make a lasting impression with a cheap reception dinner!

Serve a variety of vegetarian dishes, like tomato mozzarella caprese skewers and polenta toasts

Planning a wedding reception dinner can be challenging, especially if you're on a tight budget. However, with some creativity, it's possible to make a great impression while keeping costs low. Here's how you can do it with a focus on serving vegetarian dishes like tomato mozzarella caprese skewers and polenta toasts:

Tomato Mozzarella Caprese Skewers:

These skewers are a fun and refreshing appetizer that your guests will love. They are simple to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making them a great choice for your wedding reception. Here's what you need to do:

• For the skewers, you'll need cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella balls. Try to get a variety of colours for the tomatoes if you can.
• Assemble the skewers by threading the ingredients onto mini wooden skewers. A suggested combination is two cherry tomatoes and one mozzarella ball per skewer, with basil leaves tucked in between.
• Drizzle the skewers with extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• For an extra tangy finish, top them off with reduced balsamic vinegar or a balsamic glaze.
• If you want to get creative, you can experiment with additions or substitutions like strawberries, diced peaches, or fresh mint.
• These skewers are best served fresh, but you can assemble them up to 4 hours in advance and store them in the fridge until it's time to serve.

Polenta Toasts:

Polenta is a versatile Italian dish made with coarsely ground yellow corn. It can be either sweet or savoury and works great as an appetizer or light meal. Here's how you can make polenta toasts:

• To make the polenta, you'll need water, vegetable broth, polenta, and salt. For extra flavour, you can add vegan parmesan cheese and butter.
• Combine the ingredients in a medium-large pot and place it on the stove over high heat, whisking to combine.
• Bring the mixture to a boil and then turn down the heat to a low simmer. Stir or whisk frequently to keep it smooth and prevent lumps.
• After about 4-5 minutes, the polenta should be thick. Remove from the heat and stir in the vegan parmesan cheese and butter, if using.
• Taste the polenta and adjust seasoning if needed.
• Pour the polenta into a baking pan and smooth it out evenly with a spatula. Let it cool for about 10 minutes, and then transfer it to the freezer for 10-15 minutes or the fridge for 30-60 minutes.
• Once the polenta is cooled and firm, gently flip it onto a cutting board and cut it into rectangular slices.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush one side of the polenta slices with oil to coat.
• Add the polenta slices to the grill pan, making sure to leave some space between them. Grill for about 8-10 minutes until grill marks appear.
• You can serve the polenta as-is, or flip and grill the other side for a crispier texture.
• For toppings, you can use vegan cheese, balsamic roasted tomatoes, fresh basil, crushed red pepper, capers, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Additional Tips for a Great Reception Dinner:

• Start planning early: Begin searching for caterers and venues about 12 months before your wedding date. This will give you more options and help you stay within your budget.
• Be creative with your menu: Opt for vegetarian or vegan options, and play with serving styles. You can offer no-fork-needed appetizers or crispy mini cones stuffed with seafood ceviche.
• Indulge your guests: Offer a variety of mini entrées on a single plate, such as sea bass, steak, and chicken. This way, they can sample multiple dishes without feeling overwhelmed.
• Personalise your bar: Create signature cocktails named after members of the bridal party or special places that hold meaning for you. Include a cocktail menu explaining the significance of each drink.
• Choose seasonal and local ingredients: Not only will this be more affordable, but it will also ensure your guests enjoy the most flavorful and fresh dishes.

Opt for a daytime wedding and serve simple, lighter fare like tea sandwiches

If you're looking to make an impression with a cheap wedding reception dinner, opting for a daytime wedding and serving simple, lighter fare like tea sandwiches is a great option. Not only will this help you save on costs, but it will also give your wedding a unique and charming twist. Here are some tips and ideas to make it a success:

Choose the Right Time

Holding your wedding during the day, perhaps with a morning ceremony followed by a lovely reception brunch, is a great way to keep costs down. It also sets the tone for a more relaxed and intimate gathering. Your guests will appreciate the opportunity to celebrate with you during the day and still have their evening free.

Create a Cozy Atmosphere

A daytime wedding lends itself to a more casual and intimate atmosphere. You can enhance this vibe by choosing a venue that feels cozy and inviting. Consider a backyard wedding at your home or a friend's home, or look for venues with a warm and welcoming ambiance. String lights, fairy lights, or a fireplace can all add to the cozy feel.

Keep the Food Simple and Delicious

Tea sandwiches are the perfect choice for a daytime wedding reception. They are elegant, easy to eat, and can be made with a variety of delicious fillings. The key to successful tea sandwiches is to use very thin bread, such as Pepperidge Farm's thin-sliced bread, and to keep the fillings light and flavorful. You can prepare the sandwiches just before the reception to avoid sogginess, and they can be served in a variety of cute and creative ways.

Get Creative with Sandwich Fillings

There are endless possibilities for tea sandwich fillings, allowing you to cater to a range of tastes and dietary preferences. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Cucumber with herb aioli or cream cheese and dill
• Smoked salmon with cucumber and pickled ginger, or with cream cheese and dill
• Egg salad with mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, and paprika
• Chicken salad with pecans
• Curried chicken
• Crab salad
• Radish with poppy seeds
• Blue cheese and walnut
• Benedictine (cream cheese, cucumber, and onion)
• Prawn salad
• Roast beef with mustard
• Ham and cheese
• Almond butter and currant jelly
• Asparagus and goat cheese
• Corned beef
• Salmon salad with dill and lemon
• Roasted vegetables and cream cheese

Add Some Special Touches

While tea sandwiches are a simple choice, you can elevate them with a few special touches. Consider using cookie cutters to cut the sandwiches into fun shapes, or add a festive trim with spicy micro-greens. You can also offer a variety of condiments and spreads, such as herb aioli, crème fraîche, or fruit preserves, to give your guests more options.

Plan for Efficiency

When planning a daytime wedding with tea sandwiches, it's important to consider efficiency. Tea sandwiches are best served fresh, so plan to assemble them as close to the reception as possible. You can prepare the fillings and slice the cucumbers a day or two in advance, and then assemble the sandwiches the morning of the wedding. This will ensure that your sandwiches are delicious and won't get soggy.

Offer a Variety of Drinks

A daytime wedding is a great opportunity to offer a variety of drinks to your guests, from mimosas and bellinis to tea, coffee, and soft drinks. If you want to include alcohol but keep costs down, you can make a signature cocktail that ties into your wedding theme or colors.

Don't Forget the Dessert

No wedding reception is complete without dessert! Keep it simple with a small cake or cupcakes, or offer a variety of bite-sized treats like macarons, cookies, or mini tarts. If you're feeling creative, you can even set up a build-your-own dessert bar with a variety of toppings and treats for guests to customize their own sweet creations.

A daytime wedding with simple, lighter fare like tea sandwiches can be a wonderful and memorable way to celebrate your special day while keeping costs down. With a little creativity and planning, you can make your wedding reception elegant, unique, and enjoyable for all.

Ask guests to bring their own alcohol to the reception

If you're looking to make an impression with a cheap wedding reception dinner, one way to reduce costs is to ask your guests to bring their own alcohol. While this option may not be suitable for everyone, it can be a great way to save money on your wedding expenses. Here are some tips and considerations to keep in mind if you're thinking of going down this route:

• Check with your venue: Before making any decisions, it's important to check with your venue to see if they allow guests to bring their own alcohol. Some venues may have restrictions or require a licensed bartender to serve hard liquor.
• Know your guest list: Consider the people you are inviting and their preferences. If you know that most of your guests prefer wine or liquor over beer, they may appreciate having the option to bring their own drinks.
• Spread the word: If you decide to go ahead with this plan, be sure to let your guests know in advance. You can include a handwritten note with your invitations or spread the message through word of mouth.
• Provide alternatives: In addition to asking guests to bring their own alcohol, you can also provide some alternatives such as beer, wine, or a signature cocktail. This ensures that those who may not be able to bring their own drinks still have something to enjoy.
• Stock up on mixers: Provide a variety of mixers, such as sodas, juices, cut-up lemons, limes, and jarred cherries. This will allow your guests to create their own mixed drinks and customise their beverages.
• Consider a "stock the bar" shower: If you're having a wedding shower, you can make it a "stock the bar" theme and encourage guests to bring their favourite drinks to contribute to the reception.
• Be mindful of quantities: If you're providing alcohol, such as beer or wine, be sure to consider the number of guests you're inviting. You don't want to run out of drinks too early in the reception.
• Offer other entertainment: While alcohol can be a big part of wedding celebrations, there are other ways to entertain your guests. Consider having a photo booth, lawn games, or a dance-off to keep the party going without relying solely on alcohol.
• Be mindful of cultural and social norms: In some cultures and social circles, bringing your own alcohol to a wedding may not be considered appropriate. Be mindful of any potential cultural or social norms that may influence your guests' expectations.
• Have a backup plan: Finally, it's always a good idea to have a backup plan in case you run out of drinks or some guests are unable to bring their own. You can have a cash bar available or be prepared to make a quick trip to a nearby store if needed.

Hire a live painter to create a custom portrait of your wedding

Live wedding painting is a unique and memorable way to document your special day. A professional live painter brings their own canvas and art supplies to paint a scene in real-time, often the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, or first dance. Not only do you get a one-of-a-kind keepsake or heirloom, but your guests will also be entertained by the process.

Cost

The cost of hiring a live wedding painter can vary depending on factors such as travel, canvas size, and the number of pieces commissioned. Prices can start from $2,199 and go upwards of $5,000. Some artists may offer payment plans to help make their services more accessible.

Finding a Painter

Live wedding painting is a niche service, so it may take some effort to find an artist who is available and fits your style. Google is a great place to start your search, and you can also look for live painters in your state. Don't be afraid to reach out to artists who are not local; many are willing to travel for an additional fee.

Booking

Live wedding painting is becoming increasingly popular, so it's important to book your artist as early as possible, anywhere from eight months to a year and a half in advance.

Painting Styles

There are three primary painting styles to be aware of: realism, impressionism, and abstractionism. Realism reflects real life and can be mistaken for a photograph. Impressionism captures an "impression" of the people, light, and atmosphere. Abstractionism uses shapes, forms, and colors to create a composition. Discuss with the artist what style you envision for your portrait and allow them to work in their natural style.

Questions to Ask

When booking a live painter, be sure to ask about their setup, the style of painting, and the moment(s) you want to be documented. Also, consider whether you want the completed painting on the same day or are willing to allow the artist to take it home for touch-ups. Include your wedding planner in the early planning stages to ensure the artist has what they need and is taken care of on the day.

Availability

Live wedding painters are in high demand, especially during peak wedding seasons like winter and early summer. They may charge higher fees during these times, so be sure to check their availability and book early.

A live wedding painter can add a unique and entertaining element to your reception dinner. Your guests will be captivated by the process, and you'll have a custom portrait to cherish for a lifetime.

Frequently asked questions