After all the formal parts of your wedding day are over, you can finally spend time with your family and friends at the reception. Sharing a wonderful meal with your loved ones is one of the best ways to get to know them better and show your appreciation for all the help they’ve given you. The food you serve can also tell your partner more about you and how you feel about each other.
“The food at a wedding gives each couple a chance to tell a story and make the event their own,” Southern California Wedding Catering Services Experts suggest. Whether you make the same food you had on your first date or use ingredients from your hometown, the meal at your reception gives guests a chance to learn more about you.
Even though it’s an important part of your big day, catering is the second most expensive part of your wedding. The most expensive part is the place. Prices aren’t set, which is a good thing. There are steps you can take to cut the cost of your wedding meal by a large amount. Experts say there are eight ways to save money on your wedding food.
Cloths for Tables and Napkins
Unless you are looking at a package deal, you will have to pay extra for plates and napkins. Know that tables come in different sizes, such as regular rounds for eight people and giant rounds for ten people. In the same way, tablecloths come in different lengths, such as standard and floor-length. The price goes up with the size of the cover.
So, ask your chef if they can supply linens and how much it will cost. Doing it yourself might save you money, but it will add something you don’t need to your list of things to do for your wedding. Also, it’s not going to be easy at all to deal with too many sellers.
Use Disposable Dinnerware
Catering costs are made up of more than just the cost of food. This includes napkins, drinks, plates, and silverware. Some couples can’t have their wedding without elegant linen napkins and fine china, but if you want to save money on food, you could use disposable dinnerware instead. Or you could use real plates only for dinner and use paper plates for starters and cake.
It might also help to work with a caterer who includes the cost of linens and dishes in the total price, so you don’t have to set aside money for these things individually. Southern California Wedding Catering Services Experts always recommend using disposable dishwashers.
Don’t Have a Plate Dinner
Plated meals are one of the most common types of wedding menus, but they also cost the most. If you have a formal sit-down dinner at your wedding, not only do you have to pay for the food, but you also have to pay staff to set out the food, serve it, and clean up afterward. A buffet-style meal is less expensive because it takes less time to set up, and people can serve themselves. We say that buffets save money because they use less wait staff and cooking staff than plated or family-style meals.
Limit Your Bar
If you and your partner don’t care much about having a fully stocked open bar and a wide range of cocktails, limiting your drink options is a great way to save money on catering. Instead of stocking your bar with every kind of booze and mixer you can think of, it can save you a lot of money to just have wine and beer. If you want your drink menu to have a little more variety, think about adding one or two unique drinks.
You can easily find bartending services that fit your needs and budget, whether you want to keep it simple with beer and wine or add some unique cocktails.
Offer Fewer Courses
If you really want a plated dinner, you don’t have to blow your budget; just cut down on the number of items you serve. A full meal with a salad as an appetizer, a main dish with multiple sides, and a slice of wedding cake is more than enough. Southern California Wedding Catering Services Experts suggest that you serve one less meal to cut costs. “Offer only two courses instead of three (soup or salad and a main dish), and choose a single main dish.
Find Out What Comes with the Package.
If you choose a catering plan for your wedding, make sure you know what’s included and what’s not. Don’t forget that the cost of food is only a small part of your total bill. All of these extra costs, like taxes, service fees, and lease fees, can have a big effect. So, ask about any extra costs before you choose a chef. Get a full rate and decide based on the price of the catered menu.
Make the Dishes Easier
Choose your things carefully for a more cost-effective catering experience. A menu can help you stay within budget, we say with confidence. Lobster, oysters, or filet mignon as a major dish will run up the bill. Keeping the planning and presentation easy will also keep you from spending a lot of money. Don’t cover up the natural flavors of your baked potatoes or sautéed mushrooms with fancy sauces and garnishes. Instead, let them shine on their own. This is the recommendation from Southern California Wedding Catering Services Experts for you and your family.