When was the last time you went to an Applebee’s type restaurant and escaped for less than $20-$25 per person, and had a beverage, salad, and adult entrée? Pretty difficult, right?
There is no way around it, catering can be pricey and just doesn’t work for every budget. Food trucks are an option but may provide a less formal feel than you were going for. Cooking yourself is also an option but adds MOUNDS of stress and isn’t necessarily saving money (see workshop #20).
If you’re open to a non-traditional wedding day timeline, below are a few fun options that will help cut down on the cost of feeding guests but are still sure to be crowd pleasers! Options 1 & 2 are great for those that still want an evening party with dancing into the night. Options 3 & 4? Awesome for those that are looking for a slightly more low-key reception, are non-dancers, or found a killer deal on a venue for daytime receptions.
- Cocktail Party Reception
- Aim for a 7pm or 8pm ceremony (after peak dinner hours, in case guests would like to go to dinner beforehand)
- Set up an appetizer menu for guests to enjoy during the reception
- Opt for appetizers that are not labor intensive to make (costs more)
- Offer appetizers passed by serving staff (guests are less likely to take a handful from a person, vs filling a plate from a buffet table and then only eating half).
- Consider appetizer stations that are mini versions of heavier meals (create your own sliders, meatballs & mac’n’cheese cups, chips & salsa bar, etc.)
- Offer carb heavy options to fill guests up
- Dessert Reception
- A dessert reception is ideal for either late night (similar timing to a cocktail reception) or the middle of the afternoon between lunch and dinner
- Have fun with options! Cookies, brownies, pies, cake, candy, you name it!
- Desserts don’t always have to be sweet! Popcorn bars, create your own trail mix cups, or maybe a flavored potato chip bar??
- Have family members that love to bake and a venue that allows outside food? Nearly every delicious bite for a dessert reception can be made in advance and frozen or kept in airtight containers. Not to mention, how special to have family recipes served at your wedding!
- Brunch Reception
- Open to a late morning ceremony? Or even a reverse wedding (ceremony AFTER the reception)? Brunch menus are fantastic for earlier weddings.
- Brunch menus may incur similar costs as a dinner menu if hot foods such as breakfast meats, waffles, omelets, etc. are offered. BUT… where you will save is the cost of alcohol (which can be HEFTY). See the end of this post for other cost savings you may receive by hosting early in the day.
- Lunch Reception
- Lunchtime ceremony work for you? Invite guests to a light lunch afterward and save bigtime!
- Generally, lunch menus can be less costly since less food is served.
- Having a winter wedding? Offer a soup bar!
- Want something interactive for guests? Set up a salad bar!
- Mini/tea sandwiches, soups, salads (green, pasta, potato or otherwise) are all fantastic meal options for a lunch reception.
If you opt to not host a “traditional” dinner (I use that term loosely), be sure to convey that information to your guests via your invite or wedding website. Setting the expectation ahead of time allows guests to plan accordingly (they may want to eat something heavier before/after). Feel free to borrow any of the lines below to include at the bottom of your invite:
- Cocktail reception with appetizers and desserts, to follow.
- Dessert reception with dancing, to follow.
- Join us for a brunch reception, immediately following our ceremony.
- Wedding luncheon with light refreshments, to follow.
On top of potential food cost savings, hosting a non-dinner reception might even save money on other reception costs or allows you to have a more relaxed/drawn out day (more time to decorate and get ready). Consider this:
- When touring venues, ask if there is a discounted rates for a Sunday morning/afternoon (great for lunch/brunch), or shorter receptions (cocktail/dessert). Late night ceremonies and receptions may mean you won’t need access at 9am to decorate. Most venues charge by the day, but it NEVER hurts to ask.
- If your venue charges by the hour, you may save on having a shorter reception. Not offering a full dinner (cocktail/dessert) saves an hour or more of time. On the flip side, not hosting hours of dancing after a brunch/lunch reception will also be reason for a shorter reception.
- When booking your DJ, ask if there is a package that is a shorter number of hours.
- Not interested in dancing after a brunch/lunch reception? Pass on the cost of a DJ and rent speakers to play soft background music from a laptop or phone.
- Cocktail and dessert receptions encourage guests to mingle. Not only does this save you the headache of a seating chart, you will not need seating tables for every single guest. Now you’re saving on the cost of linens, rentals, centerpieces, chargers, etc.! A mix of traditional seating tables, taller cocktail tables to stand at, or cushy seating (rentable) works perfectly.
- As mentioned earlier, brunch and lunch receptions are a GREAT way to save on bar and alcohol costs. Coffee, juices, sparkling water & soda are more than enough for a daytime reception if alcohol is not your jam.
Just a little… food for thought (sorry, I had to).
Helping YOU say ‘I-DO’,
Your WedUcator