Receptions

Food is an integral part of any celebration – after all, what’s a wedding without cake? Aside from renting a reception hall, you’ll also need to consider the cost of your wedding cake and food. A three course meal with filet mignon and mashed potatoes will cost a lot more than a buffet with simple hors d’ouevres. That said, there are a wide variety of options available that will help you cut costs and still provide quality menus for your guests.

The Wedding Cake

Today, there are many different ways to obtain a wedding cake – from professional wedding bakeries to homemade cakes from mom. Ask around – you may have a family member who’s willing to make a cake for you. You can also check your local food stores to see if they make wedding cakes, or find a bakery student or amateur pastry chef looking to add to their portfolio.

Or, for a bit of adventure, you may want to try making your own cake. You can find all kinds of pans, icings, and custom cake decorations on the internet or at baker’s supply stores. If you aren’t confident in your baking skills, you don’t even need to worry about baking from scratch because of the number of powdered cake mixes available at the supermarket – all you need to do is follow the instructions on the box. Practice a few times before the big day and experiment with different types of decorations – your guests will love the personal touch, even if it isn’t perfect!

Catered Dishes from Local Stores

In many cases, you can obtain fruit, veggies, cold cuts, and many other side dishes from your local supermarket. You may also be able to save money on food by visiting a commercial food store – like Gordon Food Service – that provides bulk ingredients to restaurants. Many of these stores will create custom food trays for you that will reduce the amount of prep work you need to do before the big day. If you purchase bulk ingredients for your main dishes, try to find a friend or family member to do the cooking and you’ll save big bucks on your wedding budget.

Restaurant Catering

If you’re set on having rich, formal food at your wedding, restaurant catering is the way to go. However, for the most part, restaurant catering will be one of your more expensive options. Check to see if there are any culinary education programs in your area – they may offer student catering at a discount. New restaurants and caterers in your area may also offer discounts in order to build clientele. In addition, if you use the restaurant as your reception hall, you may find the combined fees to be a more reasonable option.

Bring your own buffets

Without a question, potluck-style receptions are the cheapest and easiest wedding dinner options. Your guests will have an enormous variety of foods to choose from and you’ll save money by not buying any food! When combined with a self-serve buffet, the only thing you’ll need to worry about is cleaning up after the reception is over. However, if you do plan to go this route, consider circulating a sign-up sheet a few weeks before the wedding to ensure that you’ll have a balanced meal.

Even though the cost of food and catering services is getting more expensive, you can still trim the cost down to size. It might be helpful to make a list of all the foods you want to have available, and then do your research to find the cheapest, easiest way to get ahold of them. You may even find that you enjoy your wedding food more knowing that it was obtained at a more affordable price!

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Don’t be fooled – you don’t need to rent out the priciest reception hall to have a beautiful wedding! Depending on the season and the time of day you choose to exchange vows, there are a number of different alternatives you can choose for the location of the reception. You may find that you can have a large gathering at one of these locations for a fraction of what it would cost to rent space in a large building. The reception hall can be one of your biggest expenses – so get creative!

Rent a traditional hall during an off season

As you might expect, rental fees for wedding reception halls will be more expensive during popular times of the year. Therefore, if you can schedule your wedding for a time when there are fewer weddings, you can save a significant amount of money. Typically, rental fees are cheaper during the winter months, so if you have your heart set on getting married in June, you may need to look for other options.

Inquire at hotels and motels

If you’re planning a small wedding, check to see if any local hotels or motels have suitable meeting rooms available. In many cases, these rooms will already have tables and any other facilities you might need, so you won’t need to pay extra to rent these items. They may also set up the facility for you and provide decorations – meaning less work for you! The hotel may also have an on-site catering team that will be cheaper than working with a separate provider.

Locate an outdoor park or campground

If you’re getting married during the warmer months, you may want to have your wedding reception outdoors. You may be able to rent a pavilion at a local park for as little as $50! However, you may need to reserve early, so don’t wait if you’re considering this option. You’ll also need to make sure you have someone available to pick up any litter once the reception is over and you may want to consider a contingency plan, should you face inclement weather.

At home receptions

If you’re planning a small wedding, you may be able to avoid the expense of renting altogether by using someone’s home for the reception. Despite what you might expect from movies like “Father of the Bride”, hosting a reception in your home can be cheap and easy. Of course, you’ll want to take care of any pressing remodeling or landscaping issues and you may want to consider renting a port-a-potty to supplement your existing facility. Best of all, at the end of the day, you won’t need to rush around cleaning up – since it’s your house, you can leave the mess to clean up another day.

When choosing the reception hall for your wedding, it’s important to take your time and consider all of the available options. In some cases, it may be difficult to avoid the expense of a traditional hall or renting a restaurant for the evening. However, some of the seasonal options that are available may make for a much more enjoyable – and much more affordable – setting! Consider your own personal tastes, your budget, and the comfort of your guests and you’re sure to find a perfect option for your reception.

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The gold standard of weddings has always been the open bar – but when you start planning a wedding, you’ll be surprised just how much it will cost you to get Uncle Murray tipsy. As with the price of food, the cost of beverages is also skyrocketing. If you plan to serve alcoholic beverages at your wedding, you may find that the price is well beyond your budget. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to control costs, and still give your guests the beverages they want.

Budget Champagne

Even though champagne is expensive, you’ll still want to have enough for at least one toast with it. Typically, you can purchase champagne at any liquor store, but the cost can add up quickly. If you’re set on having high quality champagne, check to see if there are any vineyards in your local area that make their own. Also, check with your caterer – some will throw in a free champagne toast – or check to see if you can purchase discount champagne online.

Cash Bars

Requesting that guests pay for any food or beverage at a wedding used to be considered tacky, but the cash bar is making a comeback. It’s cost-effective and it puts an emphasis on safe driving and other alcohol-related issues, since guests likely won’t drink to excess when they’re paying for it. If you ask guests to pay for their own alcoholic beverages, you’ll save some money and also instill some measure of control over how much alcohol people consume.

Bring Your Own Beverages

Just like a potluck dinner, give guests an opportunity to contribute their own beverages. Not only will this create a variety of beverage options, it can cut back on your beverage budget dramatically. Many people find this to be a suitable alternative to asking people to pay for alcohol. However, if you’re renting a venue for your wedding, check to see if this is allowed – it isn’t always – and make sure to bring some backups in case you wind up with 30 cases of beer and nothing else.

Buying in Bulk

You’ll need more than just alcohol, though. Buying in bulk can help you save money on soda, coffee, water and any other beverages you’ll need. In many cases, you can purchase these items through discount outlets like Sam’s Club and Costco. This will save you money over traditional grocery stores, but you’ll likely need a membership to get in and this can be pricey. If it’s something you’ll use again, go ahead and get one – otherwise, check to see if a member of your wedding party already has one.

Punch Bowls and Other Accessories

If you aren’t hiring a caterer or paying for this type of service, you’ll need to plan for what to do about dishes, cups, and other accessories. If you find a good deal, you may be able to purchase these items outright and sell them later. If not, check with rental agencies in your area – many rent full wedding sets, although you’ll be responsible for cleaning them all before they’re returned. You can also look into high quality plastic alternatives from discount stores – you’d be amazed at the quality that’s available today.

Although they don’t seem important, beverages can make or break your wedding. Imagine an outdoor summer wedding without enough water available, or a toast without the clink of champagne flutes. But it is possible to navigate budget issues without compromising on quality and appearance. Take the time to find the solution that’s best for you and your budget and you’ll be worry free on your wedding day.Drink Up - Budget Wedding Beverages

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