Let’s face it, weddings are expensive. You need to pay for the venue, the dress, the suit, the rings, decorations, and much more. As you’re approaching your big day, money can start to feel a little tight, and some sacrifices may have to be made. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be the food. There are ways that you can still feed your guests fabulous meals, despite being on a budget.
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour is quickly becoming one of the most important parts of a wedding, and some think it’s even more important than the main entree. This new trend has shown a rise in spending for cocktail to 76% in 2014, up from the previous 69% in 2010. However, there are ways to still have a great cocktail hour, without having to break the bank. Switch out the expensive appetizers for something easy, such as chips and crackers, nuts, and dip. If you’d like something to pass around, look for frozen appetizers at your local grocery store.
Dinner
Dinner can be the biggest money suck, as each entree can cost upwards of $10 a person. And with hundreds of wedding guests, that can start to add up. Instead of opting for a sit-down meal, consider ordering a buffet. Today, 38% of weddings have a buffet, while 34% have a sit-down dinner. Buffet food will keep guests happy, and costs down. If you prefer the sit-down style of meal, look for easy to make food sold in bulk. For example, chicken and mashed potatoes are a cheap meal, but can be jazzed up with certain marinades or mix-ins.
Dessert
Nothing makes a party like the dessert, but pastries can start to add up, and wedding cakes can cost hundreds of dollars. To save money on dessert, purchase a smaller cake for the ceremony, and serve your guests sheet cake from the kitchen. If you want to make a big impression, ask your baker to fake layers of the cake using cardboard covered in fondant. Renting a chocolate fountain is another great way to have dessert on a budget. A chocolate fountain is a machine that serves melted chocolate fondue. Typical fountains resemble a stepped cone, and stand between two to four feet tall with a crown at the top, and stacked tiers over a basin at the bottom. Add some fresh fruit or cookies to your rental chocolate fountain, and the whole party will love it.