How To Save Money On Your Wedding Catering
Catering can be a big cost for your wedding, but there are ways to save money and still have the wedding catering that you want. Here are some tips on how to save money on your wedding catering.
- There are a few ways you can find quotes. One way is to search on the web. Websites like Thumbtack and Yelp are good places to find quotes. You can also contact catering companies directly. Talk to friends and family and see if they can recommend anyone. You can also ask your venue if they have a recommended caterer. Don’t forget to call around different caterers to get different quotes. This is the best way to compare prices and find the best deal!
- Ask if the caterer has any discounts or promotions that you can take advantage of. If so, get a list of the options so you can survey your guests and see what they would prefer. This will help cut down on costs, as you can serve some items at a reduced cost and others at full price. You can also find out if they have any recommendations, or if they can create a custom dish or dessert for you that will save you money and still be a hit.
- If you’re looking to cut costs by having a combined wedding, you may want to try to find a deal on your wedding caterer. Check with their team to see if there are any promotions for booking both the rehearsal dinner and the wedding reception for your big day. Fun fact: Did you know a wedding rehearsal is optional, but a wedding rehearsal dinner is not? It’s a meal for out-of-town guests or for family members who couldn’t make it to the wedding itself. The typical wedding rehearsal dinner includes a full meal, so try to make sure it is scheduled at mealtime so that out-of-town guests can attend!
- A sit-down meal at a restaurant typically costs more than a buffet-style meal. While this may seem like a more enjoyable option, it can be costly in many ways: more time, more money, and less selection. If you are looking to save as much money as you can, skip the sit-down meal. It’s more cost-efficient to eat buffet style or takeout. The staff will typically be less in this type of establishment, there will be less preparation time, and a buffet-style meal can be more enjoyable. You can check out the selection beforehand, decide what you want to try, and pay for the meal. If you opt for the sit-down meal, you are limited to the options provided.
- Having the wedding at a different time of the day than prime time is a good idea. Weddings during the morning or afternoon can allow you to avoid peak times. The same goes for having your wedding day on a weekend instead of a weekday. You’ll save a lot of money on catering costs as well!
- Your reception is a big investment that you make early on in your planning process. You will likely be paying for it in several ways, but there are ways that you can save a bit of money. The first thing that you should consider is having a shorter reception. This is becoming more common nowadays and a lot of couples are opting for a cocktail-style reception that lasts for less than an hour. This will not only save you from paying for a band or DJ, but it will also save you from paying for a venue as well. The only thing that you will have to pay for is the drinks. If you want to save money, you should also consider having an alcohol-free reception. This way, you won’t have to pay for a bartender and you can save a lot of money on your overall catering costs.
- One of the best ways to save money on your wedding is to rely on the generosity of your friends and family! Getting everyone involved in the food preparation or serving at the reception can be a great way to reduce costs without losing the people that you love! Only have a five-person wedding? Ask some friends to perform a skit or sing a song as a way to entertain your guests. While you may not have considered this, it’s a great way to make your event unique and memorable.
There are many ways that you can save money on your wedding catering without sacrificing the quality of the food or the experience that you want your guests to have. By shopping around, taking advantage of discounts, and being willing to negotiate, you can make sure that your wedding catering is affordable and still everything that you’ve dreamed of!