What are some other options if I don't want to spend the money on catering for my wedding?

Question

I'm starting to plan my wedding and I'm trying to save all of the money I can. My fiance and I are on a VERY tight budget, so I'm trying to get creative. What are some good ideas for food without paying for a catering service?

Answer 1

Make and freeze as much as you can before hand. A few things that are easy to make and freeze well are
sausage balls
cheese wafers
mints (the kind you mold like flowers/leaves etc..)
toasted pecans
tiny ham biscuits
make tiny tart shells and on the day fill with chicken salad
cheese ball and crackers can be made several days ahead
veggies and dip can be made a head
fruit and dip can be made a few day ahead
meatballs or cocktail weenies
you can also make your punch ahead of time and freeze it

I might know people who can help you for a very reasonable price. What part of the country are you located?

Answer 2

Here's a couple of ways you can reduce your catering costs.

1. Have your wedding earlier in the day and serve breakfast , brunch or lunch foods. They are typically cheaper than dinner menus.

2. Have a cocktail reception and serve heavy hor'douerves only.

3. Have your wedding later in the evening and do a dessert only reception.

4. If you are having your wedding around lunch time do a salad only buffet. Not your lettuce tomato salad but gourmet type salads and anti-pastas. They will go along way, fill everyone up and you will have something unique at your wedding.

5. Cater your own wedding. Have friends and family make a dish or shop for bulk food like appetizers at a Costco or http://www.appetizerstogo.com/default.asp.

Hope these ideas help you out.

Good Luck and Congratulations!

Answer 3

Couple ideas:
- make it a potluck
- If you have relatives who can cook, there is a start. Find a reception hall that has a kitchen and includes its use as part of the rental and get your relatives to help you with that. Problem with this is that they might end up spending their time in the kitchen not enjoying your wedding.
- do the catering, but cater finger-foods that a friend/relative can pickup and set out on tables for you. Grocery stores have great platters just for this purpose!

As an aside - I say bite the bullet a bit on this one. Do the catering but keep it to hors d'ourves and finger-foods not a full dinner to keep your cost down.

Answer 4

You can always get together with all the women in the wedding and cook up a storm. You can always have finger food or just make it fun and participate with all the women and help each other. Also you can use a cater that sells by the pound that is what I did and for food for 100 people it cost me $300. That is also something that you can do. Good luck and congrats!

Answer 5

What i feel is the best idea is to have a appetizer wedding reception, it cuts down cost when dealing with a caterer, plus if you use a caterer you are saving yourself alot of work.
there are many other things that can be DIY'd, i just think that food is a hard one to do, depending on the size of the reception.
DIY you flowers that will save big money. Also depending on the number of people, purchase your cake from a local grocery store, or sams club, getting married out in the open is always cheaper as well,have a non alcoholic reception..... etc.
If you havent yet, i recomend registering on theknot.com you can speak to brides in your area that may be able to give you some ideas.
best of luck to you , and congrats

Answer 6

You can designate someone to help you out using food from the gorcery store. Get trays of stuff like pre-made lasagnas and the fruit/veggie trays and have someone in charge of heating them up before the reception.

You can make food a few weeks before that do well with freezing like pastas, some veggies, and pre-cook meats then freeze

You can go to any church in America and try to find one of those nice little old ladies looking for some extra dough

You can contact resturants instead of "catering companies". For instance Olive Garden, Applebees, and Dickeys (BBQ place) are three off the top of my head that I KNOW let you do take-out or large orders for parties. Just let them know ahead of time.

Depending on what part of the country you can do potluck. You would need to have a really casual wedding though and more family than friends to provide dishes.

Choose a reception time that isn't a peak mealtime and only serve appetizers. For instance have a romantic "sunset reception" and you can only serve desserts and a few savory appetizers.

Choose a time of day that is cheaper. Breakfast food is very cheap and if you were to have it around 11/12 you could make it a brunch and combine some really cheap breakfast items like quiche with a few more hearty things. And, unless your guest list is full of alcoholics people tend to drink less overall and you can theme your bar to only include breakfasty drinks like bloody mary's and mimosas instead of offering a full selection without looking cheap.

Answer 7

WHERE are you having the reception. That makes a HUGE difference. And what type of reception? If you are going casual, like a BBQ or picnic, then you can be cheap.

A better alternative is to look for a club where you can have a reception. Ya know, like a Polish Falcon's or something like that. I had mine at a club and it only cost $10 per person for a buffet dinner. It's so much better not to worry about food on your own.

And remember, years from now, the only thing people will remember about your wedding is if the food is good and if they had a good time. They won't remember decorations, napkins, favors, your dress, or any of the other little details. aso give them good food and a good DJ and you will be all set.

Answer 8

Make finger sandwiches? I mean, food costs whether you have it catered or buy it yourself. You can create your own appetizers and leave it at that. Other than that, you will have to hire a caterer because can you cook for that many people the day before your wedding?

What we are doing is choosing a venue where they have a wedding/reception package deal that comes with the food and drinks, cake, some decorations, honeymoon suite, etc. Try to find package deals.

Answer 9

My In laws made most of the food for our reception. I made a few things as well. It was early afternoon, so we only had some champagne, a keg and punch. The things we has were simple. Cut fruit and veggies, meat and cheese tray with crackers, potato salad, stuffed mushrooms, tortilla roll ups, green salad, rolls.

We have a store that sells bulk food items for restaurants. I go there whenever I have get togethers and need large batches of whatever I am making.

I would search for appetizers that are simple to make or can be made a head of time. Most reception venues have refrigerators for storage. You could ask a friend to be in charge of getting the stuff out as soon as she arrives at the hall. Put out what you can when you decorate.

Answer 10

The time of day you decide to get married can help reduce the cost of catering. If you get married in the morning like 10:00 AM- you serve light continental breakfast items like mini muffins, pastries OJ and coffee. If you get married at 2:00 PM you can serve hors d'oeuvres and finger foods. If you get married at 7:00 PM you can just have a cake party after.

Also as you look around at venues- don't be afraid to ask about any economical options besides sit down catered meals.

Good Luck!