Are you getting married soon and trying to save money? You’re not alone. According to recent surveys, the average wedding costs over $26,000. But there are ways to slash your expenses without sacrificing quality or feeling like you’re on a tight budget. In this post, we’ll outline some of the best ways to save money on food and alcohol at your reception. Keep reading for tips that will help you save big!
Have a Cocktail Hour Instead of a Full Dinner
Skip out on a full meal and instead serve a selection of tasty hors d’oeuvres and appetizers at a cocktail hour! This saves on prep time and labor costs and allows you to focus on serving a few standout dishes rather than a mediocre spread. You and your partner can even get creative and invent some signature cocktails. Your guests will love interacting while they eat, and it’s a fun alternative to a traditional dinner. Guests can also sample multiple bites throughout the night. So why not make the smart financial decision and serve some fabulous finger foods? Just make sure to inform guests of this decision in invitations so they don’t come expecting a full meal.
Serve a Dessert Buffet
In addition to having a cocktail hour instead of a full dinner, you can cut costs by serving a dessert buffet. It will save you money in the long run, and chances are guests will be full from cocktail hour bites and hors d’oeuvres and ready to move on to dessert. Plus, who doesn’t love a buffet of fancy cupcakes and mini pies? Desserts also offer more creative options for personalization, whether it’s creating your own wedding cake or incorporating your favorite treats into the spread.
Choose a Venue That Allows You To Bring Your Own Food and Alcohol
A smart way to save money is by choosing a venue that allows you to bring your own food and alcohol. This gives you the freedom to personalize your menu and can help you save big. Rather than paying inflated prices for catering and open bar packages, you can purchase food and drink from your preferred vendors at wholesale prices or make your own concoctions. Plus, with outside options available, you can easily accommodate picky eaters and special dietary needs.
Limit the Number of Alcoholic Drinks You Serve
Instead of offering a full bar, try serving only beer and wine or beer and soda. This saves money on purchasing alcohol and helps decrease the cost of hiring bartenders. Another option is to serve a signature cocktail instead of having an open bar. You can even have a mocktail bar for designated drivers and non-drinking guests. Whatever option you choose, trimming your alcohol selection can significantly impact your budget without sacrificing the fun vibes of your reception!
Planning a wedding can be a very expensive proposition. But it doesn’t have to be prohibitively costly. There are many ways to save money on food and alcohol at your wedding reception. You can start by serving a selection of hors d’oeuvres or appetizers at a cocktail hour in place of a full meal. Add a dessert buffet to make things even more fun! If you choose a venue that allows you to bring in your own food and alcohol, you can save even more money. These are just some ideas for reducing the cost of feeding your guests at your wedding reception.
