Food can take a huge chunk out of your wedding budget. It's often difficult to figure out what's acceptable as it is an area in which expert's (etiquette or otherwise) opinions vary widely.
It can also be difficult to choose what type of food to serve at your reception...especially when you consider all of the different varieties of food available to you.
If you are having your reception at a hall that offers food service as part of the package, choose your menu wisely. While you may dream of a steak and lobster meal at your reception, this will be quite expensive and is not really viable when throwing a wedding on a budget. Ask what is their specialty. This is usually less expensive but because they are used to making it chances are it will be very tasty.
There’s nothing wrong with an elegantly prepared chicken breast for your wedding meal. Perhaps offer a vegetarian alternative as well.Consider having hors d’ouevres if your reception hall will be catering. Almost always, these will be cheaper than a sit down meal, and guests can enjoy them just as much.
Here are some general tips for your wedding dinner catered by your reception hall:• It's a myth that a buffet-style meal is less expensive than a served one. In reality, buffets require more food and more labor so their cost is higher.
• If you are working with a smaller group (say 40 to 70), piggyback onto another group's menu. This allows the hotel to buy in bulk and lowers your price.
• Whenever possible, order in bulk yourself.
• Allow the chef to try out his new, original recipes with your group. Most welcome the chance to be creative and lower the price per serving in exchange for the group's feedback. Be careful that it's not something too exotic, though. Lamb or swordfish might not appeal to everyone in your party!
• Find out how the caterer/hotel taxes food. If gratuity is part of the taxed bill, the cost will be more.For halls that will allow you to bring in your own caterer, the key here is to shop around. Check with a local family restaurant and see if they have bulk meals they will offer for your reception.
If a family member cooks at a restaurant they may help prepare a buffet. Buffets can save money if you have people who are in the food industry. Making homemade potato salad is reasonable. Chill it and put on ice. Relish trays can be made for a fraction of what precut ones cost. The food will be fresher also.
If family members have roasters consider making scalloped potatoes, baked beans, baked ham, meat balls in a sauce. These are make it and plug them in. This can save you big time!
The truly frugal bride will probably want to do what we did at my second wedding. As I’ve mentioned – what is this, the hundredth time? – Family and friends pitched in a lot for us as a wedding gift.
My uncle has a business where he smokes meat for people. He smoked some pork butts that I got discounted from the local butcher. We shredded the meat and added barbeque sauce for pork sandwiches. The buns were bought at Aldi for $.29 a package.
My dad has a rather large family which provides me with 4 aunts along with 2 other ladies I consider family making 6 “aunts” in total. Each offered up a dish for my reception. One made macaroni salad, one made potato salad. We had coleslaw, a green tossed salad, green bean casserole, and baked beans. I bought huge bags of potato chips and all the utensils in bulk at Sam’s Club, and we had a simple, homemade, and very tasty meal.
Along those lines, you may want to explore a potluck reception.The Potluck Reception
Don't be shy to pursue this potluck reception idea. It is truly the traditional way to celebrate. And, it is truly the number one low budget wedding option.
Today's weddings are so commercialized. You will
learn that caterers offer very limited menus to very limited budgets! Guests will likely be very pleased and welcome the idea of a potluck reception.
The potluck reception goes well with any wedding theme. If you are shy about approaching this option you can simply call it an "Old Time Traditional Wedding Celebration" The potluck dinner will suit this theme quite naturally and no-one will even question it!
You may even want to pick an "Old Time" theme for your decorating and favors. This will further incorporate the idea of an old time tradition theme. Why not try a 50's theme or a 20's theme. These are both popular old time themes.
Simply slip an added note with the invite, or on the invite, to give guests this option. For example the note might read...
~Our reception will be an "Old Time Traditional Celebration" with a
potluck dinner.
Have them call to get or offer suggestions on a dish so you have control over the menu. No one is obligated to participate, but I'm sure you will be surprised at how many guests will opt for this.
You and your guests will be equally surprised at the great variety and quality of the dishes provided. Guests will want to bring only their best recipes to a grand occasion such as a wedding reception!
Breakfast is often served around 8:00 a.m., Lunch at 12:00 p.m. and Dinner at 6:00 p.m., and these are the times in which a full meal is generally expected by guests. These times also vary depending on your area. You should hold your reception two hours before or after these times if not considering a full meal.
Cake and Punch Reception - The most common time of day that this type of reception is held is early afternoon (approximately 2:00 p.m.), but it can also occur in mid-morning (approximately 10:00 a.m.). A cake and punch reception generally consists of the wedding cake and refreshments. Refreshments can include: punch, coffee, tea, champagne, etc. You can also supplement the wedding cake with other types of cake in different flavors and textures.
Dessert Reception - This type of reception is one in which desserts are served. Desserts can include pies, cakes, doughnuts, cookies, pastries, brownies, etc. Another option, which can be combined with a normal dessert reception if you'd like, is a sundae bar.
In this type of reception, you serve bowls of ice cream (usually vanilla) and let your guests choose their topping. Toppings can include chocolate or fudge sauce, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, crushed walnuts, whipped cream, fruit toppings, etc. Basically, the same things you'd find in any sundae bar. Summer is the most common time of year for a sundae bar. A normal dessert bar can be used year round though as there are desserts specific to season. For example, pumpkin pie and apple pie would be a great choice for fall weddings. This type of reception is also an example of an inexpensive choice if you purchase the items on your own.
Hors D'ouevres Reception - There are actually two distinct types of hors d'ouevres receptions. The first is light hors d'ouerves and consists of a lighter fare than the second which is a heavy hors d'ouerves menu.A light menu often includes items such as: crackers, vegetable platters with dip, fruit, cheese, etc. A heavy hors d'ouerves often includes these as well as items such as: meat
and cheese trays, chicken fingers, egg rolls, etc.These types of receptions are also (casually) called "finger-food receptions" in some areas. In order to save money on this type of reception, check your local grocery store deli for prices on "meat and cheese" trays as well as "vegetable" and "cracker and cheese" platters. Their prices are often very reasonable. Another option is to buy the
ingredients yourself.
reception is a relic from a bygone era.
Salad Reception - This choice is becoming more popular and is a viable choice for vegetarians who don't want to serve a full meal. Items served can include: green (lettuce, spinach) salads, fruit salads, pasta salads, potato salads (lacto-ovo), coleslaw (lacto- ovo), etc.
A veggie bar (to supplement green salads) can be added as well and may have such choices as: chopped onions, carrots (baby or sliced), celery, broccoli, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, etc.
A salad dressing bar can be chosen as well and may include such choices as: vinegar and oil, Italian dressing, garlic and olive oil, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice, etc. If you're a lacto-ovo vegetarian other dressing choices could include: bleu cheese, green goddess, ranch, French, etc. This type of reception is also inexpensive if you prepare most of the items yourself.
Some other general ideas for do-it-yourself food at the reception include:• Try a pasta reception in which your guests are served plain pasta with their choice of toppings.
• Have a Mexican buffet
• Provide simple lunch meats and cheeses with bread for sandwiches
• If you’re a member of a church and will be having your reception there, check with the ladies auxiliary and see if they’ll do the food in exchange for a donation to their organization.
• Try a local service organization: the Kiwanis, the Jaycees• Call a community college and see if their culinary students would cook for you if you provide the food
Depending on your reception time will allow guests to assume you will serve a meal. A reception following a 3:00 wedding is assumed to have a mea. You probably are aware of how this works.
Another important aspect of cuisine at the wedding is the cake. You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a delicious and beautiful wedding cake.