Inexpensive Wedding Dinner Ideas For The Budget-Conscious Couple

Planning a wedding can be expensive and catering is often one of the largest expenses. However, there are several ways to reduce the cost of your wedding dinner. One option is to offer a limited selection of food and drinks, such as a signature drink instead of a full bar, seasonal products, or a dessert-only reception. You could also opt for a brunch wedding, heavy appetizers, or choose cheap foods such as eggs, bread, pasta, ramen noodles, and canned tuna. Another way to save money is to choose a restaurant instead of a caterer, or even a food truck. If you're feeling creative, you could set up DIY food stations for guests, such as a donut station or a s'mores station around a fire pit.

Opt for a food truck

Food trucks are a fun, interactive, and unique way to serve food at your wedding. They are also a more economical option compared to traditional catering, with rentals ranging from $10-$25 per person, while the average price of traditional catering is $85 per person.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when considering food trucks for your wedding. Firstly, you may need to meet a minimum spend for food trucks to come out on weekends, or you may need to hire more than one truck to accommodate a large guest count. Secondly, food trucks typically do not provide the same level of service as a full-service caterer, so you will need to arrange for additional staff to set up, bus, clean up, and break down.

When choosing a food truck, be sure to know the truck's limits. Can they prepare full meals or only snacks? How long will it take them to cook the food? Will they provide disposable serving ware, or do you need to supply plates and cutlery?

To avoid long lines at your wedding, consider having the food truck prepare a set menu or pre-prepare orders rather than taking individual orders. You may also need to hire multiple food trucks to reduce wait times, especially if you have a large guest list.

Discuss parking arrangements with your venue, as some venues may have garage doors that allow the food truck to park inside, while others may require the truck to park on the street. If the food truck needs to be parked outside, make sure it is well-ventilated, with the fumes directed away from your guests.

Overall, food trucks can be a great option for wedding dinner, but careful planning and coordination are necessary to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for you and your guests.

Choose a restaurant over a caterer

If you're looking to save money on your wedding dinner, one option is to opt for a restaurant instead of a caterer. Here are some reasons why choosing a restaurant might be a better option for you:

• Cost-Effectiveness: Restaurants may offer more affordable options compared to caterers, who often charge for additional services such as table linens, staff, and clean-up. By choosing a restaurant, you can avoid some of these extra costs and keep your expenses within your budget. This is especially true if you opt for a favourite family-owned restaurant, as they may be more flexible with pricing and willing to cut you a deal as a regular customer.
• Convenience: When choosing a restaurant, you already know what to expect in terms of food quality and service. You can sample the food beforehand and read online reviews to ensure it meets your expectations. This eliminates the uncertainty that sometimes comes with hiring a caterer, where you may not know exactly what to expect until the day of your wedding.
• Less Planning: With a restaurant, there is often less planning and coordination needed on your part. Restaurants have their own space, kitchen, and staff, so you don't have to worry about renting a separate venue or providing tables, chairs, and other equipment. This can save you time and effort in the planning process, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your wedding.
• Variety of Options: Restaurants offer a wide variety of menu options, giving you more flexibility to choose dishes that fit your taste and budget. You can also easily accommodate guests with dietary restrictions or preferences, as restaurants can usually provide alternatives or substitutions.
• Time Efficiency: Restaurants are experienced in handling large groups and can often serve food more efficiently than a caterer. This means your wedding dinner can run more smoothly and on time, ensuring your guests are well-fed and happy.

By choosing a restaurant over a caterer, you can save money, time, and effort, all while ensuring your wedding dinner is a memorable and enjoyable experience for you and your guests.

Serve a brunch menu

If you're looking to save some money on your wedding dinner, consider hosting a brunch reception. It's a great way to stick to your budget while still creating an event to remember. Here are some tips and ideas for planning a memorable and affordable brunch wedding:

Timing and Guest Attendance

Brunch weddings typically take place in the morning or mid-morning, so be prepared for an early start. Keep in mind that the morning hours may pose a challenge for guests who work on weekends, so you might receive a few regrets. To ensure a smooth morning, talk to your vendors ahead of time to get an estimate on timing for hair, makeup, and final touches.

Pre-Wedding Festivities

The pre-wedding festivities, such as sipping mimosas during hair and makeup, can be just as special as the reception. However, with a brunch wedding, you may have less time to enjoy these moments, so it's important to prioritise and be mindful of the tight schedule. Instead of mimosas, consider serving coffee or caffeinated tea to ensure everyone is energised and awake for the ceremony.

Attire and Decor

A brunch wedding is generally more casual than an evening event, and this extends to both attire and decor. For attire, think florals, flowy dresses, and casual suits. As for decor, wildflowers in mason jars or a food bar instead of a sit-down meal can create a relaxed and elegant atmosphere. Remember, a brunch wedding is a great opportunity to have fun with fashion and decor choices that you might not typically see at a traditional evening reception.

Food and Drinks

When it comes to food, a traditional brunch menu can be more cost-effective than a multi-course dinner. Opt for breakfast favourites such as avocado toast, waffles, pancakes, or a build-your-own omelet station. Include a mimosa bar or a Bloody Mary bar for drinks, and don't forget to offer some non-breakfast options for guests who may not be morning people. If you're serving cake, consider a smaller, lighter option such as angel food or coffee cake.

Post-Brunch Activities

After the brunch reception, there are a few options to consider. You can either transition to another activity, such as relaxing by the pool, or signal the end of the celebration and leave guests free to spend the rest of the day as they wish. If you choose the latter, consider providing suggestions for local activities or a tour of the city in your welcome bags.

Go for a buffet dinner

If you're looking to save some money on your wedding dinner, a buffet is a great option. Here are some tips and ideas for a successful and affordable wedding buffet dinner:

Choose a Theme

Sticking to a theme will make it easier to plan your menu and create a well-planned and cohesive food service. It can be something simple like comfort food, or you could go for a specific cuisine like Tex-Mex, Southern, or Italian. Having a theme will also make it easier to source ingredients and plan the dishes you'll be serving.

Select Inexpensive Foods

To keep costs down, opt for affordable and easy-to-prepare foods. Chicken, potatoes, and vegetables are usually budget-friendly options. Pasta, barbecue, and tacos are also great choices that can be prepared in large quantities without breaking the bank.

Consider the Timing

If you're having a morning or afternoon wedding, a breakfast or brunch buffet can be a more affordable option than dinner. Breakfast foods like eggs, pancakes, and oatmeal are typically less expensive than dinner options. Plus, if you have a brunch reception, your bar bill will likely be lower, as people tend to drink less during the day.

DIY or Local Catering

Preparing the food yourself or enlisting the help of family and friends can significantly reduce costs. Potlucks and DIY food stations are a fun and budget-friendly option. Alternatively, consider catering from a local restaurant or food truck, which can be more affordable than traditional wedding caterers.

Buffet Presentation

Presentation is key to a successful buffet. Consider using a variety of serving dishes and platters to create an attractive display. Chafing dishes will keep food warm, and you can add a touch of elegance with nice serving utensils and table decor.

Variety of Options

Offer a variety of dishes to cater to different tastes and dietary restrictions. A mix of meats, vegetables, salads, and carbs will ensure that all your guests are satisfied. If you're serving a specific type of cuisine, provide a range of options within that theme. For example, if you're doing a taco bar, offer different types of meats, tortillas, and toppings.

Efficient Staffing

Buffet-style service typically requires fewer staff members than a sit-down dinner. This can help reduce costs, as you won't need as many servers or kitchen staff. However, ensure you have enough staff to keep the buffet tables well-stocked and tidy.

Seasonal and Local Ingredients

Using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients can help reduce costs and provide a unique, fresh experience for your guests. Opt for produce that is in season, as it will be more affordable and taste better. Local farmers' markets or grocers can be great sources for fresh, affordable ingredients.

Keep it Simple

While you want to provide a variety of options, don't overwhelm your guests (or yourself!) with too many choices. Stick to a few well-prepared dishes and sides. This will also help reduce waste, as people tend to take smaller portions of each dish when faced with a large variety.

Dessert Options

Instead of a traditional wedding cake, consider alternative dessert options that are more affordable. Cupcakes, pies, donuts, or even a build-your-own sundae bar can be fun and delicious alternatives. If you're having a brunch wedding, offer a variety of pastries, fruits, and maybe a waffle or oatmeal bar.

Remember, the most important thing is to ensure your guests are well-fed and happy. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can have a wonderful and affordable wedding buffet dinner that your guests will remember fondly.

Pick a picnic

A picnic wedding reception is a fun and unique alternative to a traditional post-ceremony party. It is also a great way to save money on your wedding dinner. Here are some tips and ideas for planning a picnic wedding reception:

Location

You can host a picnic wedding reception in any outdoor space, such as a local park, campground, beach, vineyard, botanical garden, or even your own backyard. When choosing a location, consider the logistics, such as permits, noise ordinances, alcohol restrictions, and nighttime curfews. If you're having your wedding at home, be sure to inform your neighbours in advance and consider inviting them!

Seating and decor

While blankets spread across the grass are most on-theme, you can provide a variety of seating options for optimal comfort. Plush lounge furniture, wooden benches, carpets, and ottomans are all great choices, depending on the style of your wedding. You can also use decorations that mimic the natural colours and textures around you, such as rattan chargers, fringe napkins, and terracotta plates for a beach wedding, or ample greenery and wooden accents for a forest wedding.

Food and drinks

With a picnic reception, you can ditch formal-style dining and provide fun and crowd-pleasing options. A charcuterie spread or a DIY sandwich bar are great options for the main meal. For appetizers, you can set up a build-your-own station for tacos, nachos, or French fries. A mixed salad with fresh berries, toasted pecans, and goat cheese is also a good choice.

For drinks, lavender lemonade or citrus-infused water are light and refreshing options. For alcoholic beverages, champagne or Aperol spritzes are elegant choices. If you want to serve a signature cocktail, negroni sbagliato will work well with the picnic theme.

Dessert

Arranging a dessert bar stocked with mini cupcakes, key lime pie lemon bars, and colourful macarons will be a hit. You can even have a make-your-own ice cream sundae station for a nostalgic setup.

Activities

There are plenty of out-of-the-box activities that fit the picnic theme, such as lawn games (croquet, bocce ball, cornhole), a craft station, or a DIY bouquet bar.

Backup plan

Finally, don't forget to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather. A transparent tent or a covered patio at a nearby restaurant can help you prepare for any possible situation.

Frequently asked questions