How to Save Money on your Wedding Meal
A wedding reception can be gorgeous, it gives the guests a chance to toast the happy couple and celebrate their union. But wedding receptions can be outrageously expensive, and one of the biggest costs at a wedding reception is the meal. Each guest needs to be fed and with the average wedding reception holding around96 guests, the costs can very quickly add up. There are ways to save money on your wedding meal and still make sure that each of your guests walks away full.
Waiting staff may make a wedding look elegant, but they also come at a hefty price, skip the staff and see if your reception venue offers a self-serve option. This means your reception will be catered for by the chefs, but you will not have the expense of the waiting staff. Alternatively you can make your own buffet and simply place it on tables, letting your guests help themselves when they are hungry. This is a much more relaxed and less formal approach to the meal and because you are in control of the cost, it is becoming increasingly popular.
Having your wedding earlier in the day will mean that less money will need to be spent on the meal, very few people want a three course meal at lunchtime and are happy to simply have one or two courses. Consider having your reception earlier to avoid a costly meal.
Although having a variety of options to choose from may be appealing, it will cost a lot of money. Have a couple of options with popular food such as chicken rather than acquired tastes such as fish. Always provide vegetarian guests with a dish and check that nobody in the wedding party has any food allergies, you don't want your big day overshadowed by someone having to be taken away in an ambulance.
If you have caterers, then give them a budget and make sure they stick to it, they will be able to provide you with the best courses according to your budget. If they are unwilling to do this, then you may want to consider getting some new caterers, they should be working around you, not the other way around. If your reception will include children, then you need to make sure the caterers know this and provide kids meals.
Think about alternatives to costly foods, for example serving sirloin steak may be nice, but it will cost a great deal of money. Cheaper cuts can be a tasty, affordable substitute.
Your wedding meal does not need to cost a fortune, by making a few simple changes you can bring the cost of the courses right down and still have a classy and elegant wedding reception.
