There’s nothing worse than sitting down to tabulate the budget for food at your wedding only to realize that your options for feeding your guests consist of boxed macaroni and cheese, dollar-Chinese take-out, or recycled cans of Spam that have been in your cupboard since…hey, where did all that Spam come from? If you’re beginning to worry that your reception is going to look like a college cafeteria (but you simply don’t have a lot of money to play with), don’t despair. There are a lot of ways to get the gourmet foods you crave without spending an arm and a leg at some fancy, organic restaurant that caters to the rich and famous. Gourmet meals are within reach for even the thriftiest brides, and here are a few things you need to know to make your wedding food look twice as good (at a fraction of the cost).
- DIY. These three words (do it yourself) should be every frugal bride’s mantra. Yes, you are already stressed to the max and short on time. But there is no better way to save money on your wedding than by adopting a DIY attitude. And often, you can find some friends and family to help.
- Pay for buffet. There is no better way to serve food at less cost than to have a catering company set up buffet tables. You can get a lot of good food without the added expense of waiters (since guests will form a line and get their own meals). In addition, hot plates will ensure that the food is ready when you are so that wedding guests aren’t left starving for an hour after the ceremony or arrive at the reception only to find that everything is cold because the day got off to a late start (as weddings are wont to do).
- Go back to school. Culinary schools that are training their students in the fine art of catering are often willing to offer some serious discounts on otherwise costly fare in order to help their charges gain experience. This is a great way to get the gourmet foods you desire without the added cost of a five-star chef.
- Let your fingers do the walking. Save on the cost of a wait-staff by offering a selection of finger foods that guests can grab on their own. You can often get a wide variety of options that will no doubt appeal to even the pickiest guest (Great-aunt Dottie sure does love those cream-cheese-stuffed figs) and you can also save on providing full service dinnerware (china and utensils are not really necessary, although you will need plenty of napkins).
- Forget the open bar…BYOB! Of course you want to serve wine, champagne, beer, and other spirits to your guests, but an open bar can quickly get out of hand. While most establishments will charge you a minor fee for bringing your own alcohol, you stand to see a significant savings by hitting up the liquor store before the festivities begin. This will also serve to limit the libations on-site and ensure that everyone has a good time without getting sick, blacking out, or otherwise ruining your special day.
About the Author: Sarah Danielson is a writer for a culinary colleges website where you can browse schools and the latest trends in the culinary arena.
