Receptions

When you come back from a wedding and are asked how it was, you typically talk about the music, the people, and the food. The quality and taste of the food are sometimes determinants of the quality and taste of the wedding reception. And to achieve a satisfied palate for your guests, you usually have to pay a pretty penny.

But that doesn’t have to be the case. Recently, pot-luck weddings – where each guest brings something to eat to the wedding – are becoming increasingly popular as a way to keep food costs low at a wedding while still providing a delicious, filling meal for your guests.

Think about the costs that go in to organizing a catered meal for your guests. Meals usually have multiple courses, and for let’s say, 100 people, you pay for 100 salads and 100 entrees in advance whether someone likes salad or not. For the entrée, there is always more than one option in an attempt to accommodate vegetarians and others who prefer certain types of meat over others. And if you try to go for less expensive options or with less expensive caterers, the quality of your food will suffer, and so will the quality of your reception.

So how can a pot-luck reception fit with your wedding goals?

First, just because the food isn’t catered by a professional, it doesn’t mean you will be skimping out on the quality. Some of your friends and family are known for certain dishes, and this way you can have an eclectic variety of food that will fit all your guests’ dietary preferences.

Second, you can still remain in control of the food choices as you would with a catered meal. Rather than going to food tasting appointments at the hotel, you can taste your friends’ concoctions and decide the range and variety of foods you want to have at your wedding.

Third, a pot-luck wedding is a perfect avenue for having a buffet for your guests. While buffets are sometimes viewed as less formal than sit-down meals, they are very guest-friendly, giving everyone a broad menu of options. Furthermore, you will invest less in waiting staff with a buffet since your guests help themselves; perhaps only a staff for clean-up is necessary. Last, since buffets require your guests to get up and walk around, you will see a lot of mingling and action at your wedding, rather than stiff, seated persons who only get up to use the restroom.

Fourth, with everyone bringing food to the wedding, it will provide for a sense of community and spirit among your guests. They will be more than happy to participate in your special day, and their joy will be infectious among all guests. When everyone is working together for a common cause, the unity and sharing will truly add to the festiveness of your wedding reception.

Overall, pot-luck weddings are a unique way to keep food costs low but still put on a memorable, joyous reception. If you were hoping for a casual wedding anyway, especially one that takes place at home or outside (and probably doesn’t ask for black tie attire), then homemade food brought by your guests is a smart, delicious way to save money on your wedding.

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If, like many women, you’ve been dreaming about your wedding day since you were five years old, you know how important it is to make sure that all of your guests have matching dishes, glasses, and silverware. The last thing you want to do is use paper or plastic plates in order to save a few dollars. Therefore – whether you decide to rent or buy – finding affordable dishes and silverware for your wedding is very important.

Rented Items

If you live near any decently-sized city, it should be possible for you to rent your dishes and silverware. To snag a better deal than you’ll get on your own, ask your caterer or restaurant to rent these items for you – as industry members, they’ll likely have access to special discounts from vendors they work with regularly. If your reception is going to be at a hotel, they may also be willing to include these items for an additional fee – or they may include these items for no extra charge.

Discounts and Closeouts

If you’d rather buy your own dishes and silverware, check to see what types of discount and closeout items are available – including both online and offline retailers. If there are any department or home goods stores near you that are going out of business, you may be able to negotiate with them to get an even better deal than what’s advertised. Once the wedding is over, you may also be able to sell off the extra items to future brides or catering companies in your area. You may also decide to simply save these items for future use!

Used Dishes and Silverware

If you like a more eclectic look, you can find all sorts of used dishes and silverware at flea markets and thrift stores. Unfortunately, it may take a bit of work to make sure that you have enough items for each member of your wedding party. In addition, you will also need to carefully inspect every item you buy to make sure it is free of chips and cracks.

You’ll also find great deals by searching online for used dishes and silverware. Among other things, you may be able to locate online flea markets and warehouses that have surplus items. If you can find a reputable discount merchant, you may also be able to find items in a wider variety of patterns.

Dollar Stores and Department Stores

Regardless of the dollar store you visit, chances are you’ll be able to buy dishes, bowls, and glasses in sufficient quantity for your reception. You’ll also want to compare prices with your local department store – you may find that it’s cheaper to purchase several sets of dishes at a department store, rather than buy them individually at a dollar store.

Most brides automatically assume that it’s best to rent dishes and silverware for their weddings. However, consider that dishes and silverware are often lost or broken – which can lead to extra charges from rental agencies. At the same time, if you buy these items for your wedding, you can always store them away for later use. You may even find that it’s cheaper to buy your dishes than to rent them!

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Even if you can’t afford to hire a live string orchestra for your wedding, you’ll still want to have some music playing during your wedding reception. Regardless of whether you want to enjoy dance music or more formal pieces, hiring a DJ or obtaining your own sound mixers, amplifiers and other equipment can be expensive. That said, there are a number of resources you can use to save money on your entertainment.

Hiring Musicians

Depending on where you’re having the wedding reception, you may be able to pay for the services of in-house musicians. In some cases, local restaurants may have existing contracts with musicians in your area that you can hire. If you choose a large enough hotel, they might also offer these services. You can also check to see if any local musicians or bands regularly play at weddings – although if you choose this path, it’s important to interview these groups to make sure they can play the kind of music you’re looking for.

Music Students and Clubs

Chances are, your local high schools and colleges have students taking music classes that may be willing to perform at your wedding. If you want traditional orchestra music, this may be the most affordable option. Just be aware of the limitations of student performers – don’t expect professional quality if you hire high school students to perform. You may also want to include some pre-recorded music in your plans so that you have a variety of musical arrangements available.

Radio DJs

In many cases, you’ll find that radio DJ’s own the necessary equipment to play at your wedding. In addition, they’ll also know how to manage speakers and amplifiers, and how to select appropriate music tracks. If colleges in your area have radio stations, you may also want to ask if any of the student DJ’s will manage your wedding reception music. As with all of these options, you’ll need to compare how much they’ll charge with whether or not they can produce the level of quality that you’re looking for.

Pre-Recorded Music

Today, many couples rely on pre-recorded music for their wedding needs. While this isn’t necessarily a negative thing, it’s crucial to have the appropriate equipment that will produce quality sound. Ask local DJs what type of amplifiers and other equipment they use and then do some research on what models and brands are recommended. You may find that it’s cheaper to purchase your own equipment than to hire a musician or DJ – plus you can sell the equipment later to recoup some of your costs. However, if you decide to use this option, be sure you have someone on hand to handle the sound system while you’re busy with other wedding events.

Without question, music plays an enormous role in separating poorly planned weddings from beautiful ones, so take the time to select individuals and equipment that provide the quality you’re looking for. If financial concerns are an issue, do your research – there are plenty of low cost music options available that will make your wedding magical.

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