Catering is one of the greatest costs during a wedding, and often couples find that it ends up costing more than they had originally planned. Half of a couple's wedding budget should go into the reception, which includes the cost of catering, but there are methods to cut costs without compromising on the quality of the food.
Experts agree that there is plenty of room for a couple to keep catering expenditures right on track if they are willing to develop a strategic menu, forgo the plated supper, and think outside the box.
To put it bluntly, weddings are expensive. Although you can save a lot of money by opting to elope, weddings still typically cost a considerable sum of money. In addition, groceries are frequently a major outlay.
Contrasted with optional expenditures like decorations and party favours, meal costs are more of a given. Guests must be fed, so if you're just getting quoted exorbitant prices, that's what you'll have to pay. Yes, sort of.
The expense of wedding catering is guaranteed to be considerable, especially if the guest list is large. The cost of hosting a dinner party for a large group of people may quickly add up, but there are certain things you can do to try to cut back on those expenses.
The good news is that there are numerous parts of the meal to dissect, from the appetisers to the main courses to the sweets. You can experiment with the kind of food you offer, the style you serve it, and the items you use. Costs might add up quickly for a wedding, but if you dig hard enough, you can find ways to save money without sacrificing a memorable event or a delicious meal for your guests.
These cost-cutting measures are sure to please any frugal bride. Cosmopolitan events has proven itself to be an iconic wedding venue and function centre in Melbourne. Book today so you don’t miss out.
FAQs About Weddings
Catering is important as a large part of any event or party revolves around food. The food you present to your guests can either make or break your event, hence investing in a catering company is the best way out.
As a rule, major events of several hundred people require at least six weeks of advance notice, but preferably more. Smaller events such as 50 or less require only a few weeks. They have plenty of time to get everything they need.
Strong leadership and supervisory skills. Knowledge of dietary restrictions and the ability to come up with menus accordingly. Understanding of safe food handling policies and procedures. Excellent communication skills for conversing with clients, guests and employees.
Caterers are known in the industry for serving large quantities of food, but hiring a small of team dishwashers. This usually leaves dishwashers with the task of having a huge quantity of dishes to wash.
A caterer works on a contract basis, consulting with clients to create and serve customized menus at parties or events. The caterer is responsible for developing the menu, preparing, transporting, and serving the food, and assisting with the cleanup.
Lower the Stakes
Please disregard this advice if a fully stocked open bar is a priority. However, you could save money if alcoholic beverages aren't a top priority for you. Skip the hard stuff and serve only beer, wine, or champagne sparkling wine instead of stocking a bar with every imaginable liquor, mixer, and condiment. To show that you're serious about serving cocktails, include at least one house speciality drink.
It's also possible to set up a "semi-soft bar," wherein only certain alcoholic beverages, including cocktails, use hard liquor. Vodka and whisky are our top picks because they may be enjoyed on their own or mixed with a wide range of other ingredients.
Only Two or Three Courses Should Be Served
After the guests have tried hors d'oeuvres and drinks, a three-course meal that includes a soup or salad, main entrée, and wedding cake is sufficient to satisfy their appetites. Remember that this goes beyond what the majority of individuals order at their favourite spots, so keep that in mind. Your response should be "no" if the caterer offers adding pricier items to the menu for the reception. They won't be of concern to the guests, who will be more focused on making their way to the dance floor.
Go Easy on the Hors D'oeuvres
Caterers will typically suggest a few different options, but you can save money by sticking to no more than three premade appetisers during cocktail hour. Although it is customary to provide visitors with snacks at the start of a party, you should avoid spending too much money on food if possible. Looking for Wedding Caterers in Melbourne? Look no further, Cosmopolitan events has you covered.
Skip Passed Appetisers
Instead of paying for expensive catering, you can save money by providing guests with hors d'oeuvres like crudités, dips, gourmet crackers, cheese plates, fresh breads, and colourful fruit. Guests would sooner help themselves than wait for the server who will undoubtedly come by.
Stick to the Basics
Some dishes in particular are known to significantly increase the cost of catering. Don't waste your money on lobster, oysters, Ahi tuna, fillet mignon, caviar, or truffles for your main course. Have the caterer create a hors d'oeuvre that features the flavour prominently but uses it sparingly if you absolutely must include one of these tastes at your event. A blini with a dab of crème Fraiche as well as a pinch of caviar would be a perfect illustration of this concept.
Simplify Courses and Limited Options
Longer and more involved meals, such a fancy beef Wellington or even a hearty cassoulet made with a variety of ingredients, will naturally cost more. Pick inexpensive, quick-to-prepare meals to save money. In addition, there is no regulation that says you have to provide a long dinner menu to your guests at the reception. If you want to stay within your food budget, have the caterer provide one main dish that will appeal to a wide variety of guests.
Supplement With Stations
Add one or two inexpensive food stations to your reception to feed a large group without breaking the bank. Your visitors will be impressed by anything from a sushi bar to a make-your-own grilled cheese station.
Bring Your Own Bottles
To keep costs down, many caterers will allow you to bring your own wine and spirits for a small corkage fee. Selecting a wine and spirit vendor with a "buyback policy" that guarantees you money for any unused bottles once the party is over is ideal.
Choose Local and In-Season Ingredients
Talk to your caterer about what's in season and locally cultivated around the time of your wedding, just as you may with your florist about your wedding flowers. In the middle of winter, fresh strawberries will be prohibitively expensive and difficult to locate, making them unsuitable for use in a salad.
Educate Yourself
You needn't become a chef, but it wouldn't hurt to at least grasp the essentials, such as which cuts of beef and types of fish command a higher price. Typically, the cost of organic produce is higher than that of conventionally cultivated produce. Talk to your caterer ahead of time to figure out what can be cut and what can't be.
Offer Theme Stations
Many people picture the standard wedding fare of chicken in a sauce, pasta, steak, etc. when they think of the food served at a wedding. But you should try to think outside the box, and consider theme stations as a viable choice.
Whether it's fajitas, Thai cuisine cooked to order in a wok, or Indian favourites like butter chicken and tikka masala served over rice, you can turn any of your favourite cuisines into a themed station. Having a themed station at your event is a great way to make your visitors feel like they're at something unique without breaking the bank.
Forget The Filet — Find More Inexpensive Protein Options
We get it; you only get one chance at a wedding, and the temptation to go all out is great. After all, the fillet you choose for the main course is sure to leave a lasting impression on your visitors. Wrong.
Unfortunately, we have to tell you that a week after your wedding, your guests generally won't remember what was served, unless the cuisine was truly awful. Look for alternatives to fillets or other more expensive cuts of meat while shopping for proteins. There are many cheaper cuts of hog and lamb available.
Provide Your Own Appetisers
Appetizers, on the other hand, can cost a lot of money while often being very easy to make on your own. Don't do ridiculous things like make 300 individual tarts because that will just drain your energy. If you'd rather keep things simple, though, a cheese board or gourmet crudités and dips may be made in no time at all.
You can get everything ready in advance and then have someone else set it up for you, and the money you save on the first course alone will more than make up for it.
Choose Not To Have Servers For Part Of The Evening
Food costs money because of the ingredients and labour required to prepare it, and service costs money because of the people who physically bring the food to your customers. In the midst of the glitz and glamour, you may decide that it would be a nice touch to have elegantly dressed servers distributing appetisers during the cocktail hour.
But let's be honest: your guests won't care if they're served an appetiser at their seats or if they have to get up and walk to another table. They will be more concerned with how it tastes than with any ceremony around its acquisition. As a result, skip paying for servers for the whole night to save some cash.
Hire A Food Truck To Provide Fresh Fare
It's possible that a food truck wouldn't work in the event of a winter wedding, but it could be the ideal catering option for a spring or summer celebration.
Most food trucks may be booked for private occasions, and the cost is typically far lower than that of a catered lunch. Even if the food truck only serves what it specialises in, you can rest assured that your guests will enjoy the delicious dishes they are served. And since food trucks don't require anything more than a parking spot, they're a great choice for locations without culinary facilities.
Go For Barbecue
BBQ may be a standard fare for Southern visitors, but it's a novel option for many others. But if you're trying to watch your spending, it can be a fantastic choice. Barbecue can provide a delicious dinner for your guests at a wedding at a reasonable cost, but it's not the ideal option if you're trying for a more formal atmosphere.
You can make your visitors' mouths water with a couple different kinds of meat and some hearty sides like macaroni and cheese or baked potatoes. Since when has barbeque not been a fan-favorite?
Choose a Location That Welcomes Outside Food Service.
Once you've found your ideal venue, you go to sign the contract, only to learn that they will only allow their own caterer to serve food at any event. Yikes! If you don't have time to research prices and services, you'll likely end up paying more for catering than necessary.
Find a location that will let you bring in your own caterer if saving money is more important to you than having a certain setting for your event. That way, you can select one that is within your price range without sacrificing the area you prefer.
Cater to the Whole Family by Eating Together.
The purpose of a wedding is to bring together loved ones in celebration of the newlyweds. To further foster this sense of community, why not arrange to have the meal served in a round table setting? You can still order whatever you choose with this kind of catering, and it will arrive looking exquisite.
Instead of spending extra money to have individual portions served, your guests can share a meal as though they were at a family gathering. It's a less formal look, but it might be perfect for a bride on a tighter budget.
You Shouldn't Eat Out Of Season
If you're willing to pay for it, caterers can provide just much anything your heart desires. But if money is tight, and you have a passion for cuisine, you should definitely consider providing seasonal fare. To begin, it is far more expensive to transfer produce from its growing location to your location when it is out of season.
It also won't be as fresh or flavorful as seasonal produce. Your caterer likely has a wide variety of menu options available, but it's important to focus on seasonal ingredients when planning your meal.
If You're Craving Something Sweet, Skip the Cake and Grab a Candy Bar Instead.
Let's be honest here: wedding cakes aren't really all that great. While the bride and groom may take pleasure in selecting the cake flavour they most appreciate, visitors are less likely to recall the dessert.
So, instead of spending a lot of money on a massive, elaborate wedding cake, why not go with a cheaper, more accessible option like a candy bar that everyone is sure to enjoy? Your guests will feel like they are getting a special treat instead of a piece of store-bought sheet cake sliced up in the rear if you pick out all your favourites from a bulk store and present them in a cute way.
Having a Wedding Throughout the Day Allows You to Serve Brunch or Lunch to Your Guests.
It is not flexible for many people that a wedding takes place at a specific time. They insist on having their reception in the evening so that their guests can party until the small hours of the morning. A daytime wedding, on the other hand, could be the perfect alternative if you're wanting to save money and are ready to think outside the box for your big day.
The cost of food and drink for a wedding reception can be drastically reduced by holding the event during the day, when lunch or brunch can be served instead of evening. And really, who doesn't want to indulge in waffles and mimosas?
Everything must go off without a hitch on the most important day of your life. You want your guests to leave your wedding celebration feeling elated for you and well fed.
Picking a caterer who shares your wedding's aesthetic and financial goals will alleviate stress and, ideally, save you money. Planning ahead will allow you to kick back and take pleasure in this special occasion.
Conclusion
At a wedding reception, only beer, wine, or sparkling wine should be provided. Having at least one signature cocktail on the menu shows that you take your cocktail service seriously. A "semi-soft bar" can be created in which only selected drinks contain hard liquor. It's common knowledge that serving caviar and lobster at a catered event will drive up the bill considerably. You are under no need to offer a multicourse dinner to your guests during the reception.
In order to feed a large group without going broke, set up one or two inexpensive food stations at your reception. Having a themed station is a wonderful way to give your guests a special experience. Make a wedding station out of any of your favourite foods! If you're on a budget for proteins, don't automatically reach for fillets or other pricey cuts. A food truck could be an excellent choice if you are watching your budget.
Barbecue is an affordable way to serve a tasty meal to your guests. Lack of preparation will lead to overspending on catering. Almost any food or drink can be provided by a caterer. In times of financial strain, it may be necessary to provide just seasonal menu items. You can make your guests feel as though they are having a dinner party with members of your own family.
It's not as fancy, but it could work for a bride who's watching her pennies. If you want to cut costs without sacrificing the grandeur of the occasion, consider having your wedding during the day. Having a daytime wedding means you can feed your guests brunch or lunch. If you put in the time and effort in advance, you can relax and enjoy this momentous day.
Content Summary
- Please disregard this advice if a fully stocked open bar is a priority.
- However, you could save money if alcoholic beverages aren't a top priority for you.
- It's also possible to set up a "semi-soft bar," wherein only certain alcoholic beverages, including cocktails, use hard liquor.
- After the guests have tried hors d'oeuvres and drinks, a three-course meal that includes a soup or salad, main entrée, and wedding cake is sufficient to satisfy their appetites.
- Your response should be "no" if the caterer offers adding pricier items to the menu for the reception.
- Although it is customary to provide visitors with snacks at the start of a party, you should avoid spending too much money on food if possible.
- Instead of paying for expensive catering, you can save money by providing guests with hors d'oeuvres like crudités, dips, gourmet crackers, cheese plates, fresh breads, and colourful fruit.
- Don't waste your money on lobster, oysters, Ahi tuna, fillet mignon, caviar, or truffles for your main course.
- Pick inexpensive, quick-to-prepare meals to save money.
- If you want to stay within your food budget, have the caterer provide one main dish that will appeal to a wide variety of guests.
- Add one or two inexpensive food stations to your reception to feed a large group without breaking the bank.
- To keep costs down, many caterers will allow you to bring your own wine and spirits for a small corkage fee.
- when they think of the food served at a wedding.
- But you should try to think outside the box, and consider theme stations as a viable choice.
- Whether it's fajitas, Thai cuisine cooked to order in a wok, or Indian favourites like butter chicken and tikka masala served over rice, you can turn any of your favourite cuisines into a themed station.
- Having a themed station at your event is a great way to make your visitors feel like they're at something unique without breaking the bank.
- Look for alternatives to fillets or other more expensive cuts of meat while shopping for proteins.
- Appetizers, on the other hand, can cost a lot of money while often being very easy to make on your own.
- It's possible that a food truck wouldn't work in the event of a winter wedding, but it could be the ideal catering option for a spring or summer celebration.
- Find a location that will let you bring in your own caterer if saving money is more important to you than having a certain setting for your event.
- But if money is tight, and you have a passion for cuisine, you should definitely consider providing seasonal fare.
- It also won't be as fresh or flavorful as seasonal produce.
- Your caterer likely has a wide variety of menu options available, but it's important to focus on seasonal ingredients when planning your meal.
- So, instead of spending a lot of money on a massive, elaborate wedding cake, why not go with a cheaper, more accessible option like a candy bar that everyone is sure to enjoy?
- Your guests will feel like they are getting a special treat instead of a piece of store-bought sheet cake sliced up in the rear if you pick out all your favourites from a bulk store and present them in a cute way.
- They insist on having their reception in the evening so that their guests can party until the small hours of the morning.
- The cost of food and drink for a wedding reception can be drastically reduced by holding the event during the day, when lunch or brunch can be served instead of evening.
- You want your guests to leave your wedding celebration feeling elated for you and well fed.
- Picking a caterer who shares your wedding's aesthetic and financial goals will alleviate stress and, ideally, save you money.