Eat, drink and be merry — a phrase we all like to live by, no matter what time of year it is. Weddings are an ideal place to do this, and as the hosts, you want to make sure your guests are having as good of a time as you are. I’ve been a guest to many weddings and know first-hand that one of the things people look forward to is the delicious wedding food. Whether it’s the cocktail hour appetizers, buffet style meals, or sit-down dinner portions, there’s just something amazing about it. However, I also know that this area can break the bank for couples; it is one of the priciest aspects of a wedding. I’m going to give you the Top 7 tips I’ve come across of how you, as a wedding couple, can save big money on food without anyone knowing the difference.
1. If you decide on a having a cocktail hour with appetizers, don’t offer a cheese platter. Cheeses are costly and usually the least popular food item at weddings.
2. Try not to repeat items in the main dinner platter that you already served at the cocktail hour. For example, if you’re serving pasta as a dinner dish, don’t have a pasta station for guests beforehand. Not only is this saving you money, but it’s also saving your guests room for different food!
3. There’s always an excess of food at weddings—one reason is because hosts offer so much food before the actual meal and then serve a 5-course dinner. If you have a buffet beforehand, opt for a 2 or 3 course meal. Your budget will notice a difference; your guests won’t.
4. This one is so obvious and easy, but could save you hundreds: ask about pricing! Different meats and seafood are different prices during the year, based on what’s in season and what’s not. Simply ask the chef what the cheapest option will be at the time of your celebration.
5. If you have an open bar, don’t go for the top shelf liquors. Most people usually can’t tell the difference (especially if you’re having a signature drink or an array of mixed drinks), and it will save you big money.
6. Use bite-sized desserts to control portions AND your budget. Most people take a lot just so they can try everything, and end up leaving most of the plate behind. This will allow your guests to sample everything while wasting nothing!
7. My favorite tip for cake-savings, also given by the Cake Boss himself (for those of you who don’t watch TLC, Carlo’s Bake Shop is a family run bakery in Hoboken that has its own reality show). He says instead of going for a 5-tier cake, you can save big by choosing a 3-tier cake and simply having a sheet cake of the same flavor in the back for the chefs to cut up and serve. Your guests will have no clue, but you will when you see how much smaller the bill is.
Hopefully you can use these tips for some big time savings. Now you really CAN eat, drink and be merry.... knowing that you just saved a bundle! =)
-Kaitlyn
Photo sources:
www.stylemepretty.com
www.a-wedding-reception.com
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