ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
20.08.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Money Saving Ideas for Wedding Catering

Author: MacKenzie Wood Author Ranking Blue | Posted: 01-09-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 264 | Rating:  (229) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!

Many brides will spend over half of their wedding budget providing a full catered meal for their guests, which can be wonderful if your finances permit. However, if you find yourself with limited funds there are several ways to save while still preserving the lavish and elegant atmosphere of a traditional wedding meal.If a full dinner is important to you consider serving buffet style. A served dinner not only requires knowing what each guest would like well in advance (chicken vs. beef, etc.), but also considerable catering staff to serve the meal. Buffets allow greater flexibility for both you and your guests. Last minute changes can be made to the menu without any serious ramifications, and guests can decide what they want to eat and how much of it they want. Plan on saving anywhere from 10% to 50% simply by choosing a buffet. If you really want a served dinner, other options include cutting the overall number of guests or making the reception by invitation only.You may also want to consider an evening ceremony, starting between seven and seven thirty, where you serve hor‘dourves and a dessert. This option allows you to serve a large number of guests exotic food for slightly less than a basic meal, or an array of domestic hor’dourves for significantly less than a full dinner. You can reasonably expect to save at least another 25% over serving a buffet dinner. A pleasant side effect of serving hor’dourves is that you do not need seating for all of your guests at the reception site, which means you can use a smaller facility and do not need chairs and tables available for all of your guests. While this may not seem significant, keep in mind that renting a simple chair will cost at least $1.50 each, a basic table will cost $12.50 or so, a tablecloth will be another $10.00, and you will probably need a centerpiece as well.If your budget is particularly tight and you do not want friends or family to make the food for your reception, do not be afraid to use local bakeries to supply your guests with hor’dourves and even dessert. Your selection may be somewhat limited, yet you will not have to pay the 15-18% gratuity most caterers charge. To customize the presentation, you can go to your local restaurant supply store and buy some inexpensive yet elegant food trays. Most bakeries will be happy to put your order on your own serving dishes.An often overlooked option are small catering operations run by stay-at-home moms and retired chiefs. These businesses are typically suited to smaller weddings; however, they are usually willing to expand their menu to accommodate special and unusual requests.On a final note, be sure to carefully research exactly what each caterer provides. Some simply provide the food, others go so far as to cover non-alcoholic beverages, a dessert, silverware, china, and even tablecloths. It is often more affordable when you work through the numbers to use a caterer with a comprehensive package, but not always. Ask for references from your potential caterer, view pictures of their work, and taste samples of menu items to ensure you make a wise decision.

Rate this Article: Current: 3 / 5 stars - 1 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/money-saving-ideas-for-wedding-catering-207193.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:

Written by MacKenzie Wood, owner of D.I.Y Wedding Planner. Their website specializes in do-it-yourself wedding planning resources such as wedding budgeting tools, "how to" articles, and features a directory with reviews of wedding related businesses. For more information visit www.DIYWeddingPlanner.com.

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

Tips On How To Obtain A Home Improvement Loan
By: Bill McCowen | 28/12/2007 | Home Improvement
Eventually, every house is going to need to be renovated and updated. Adhering to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, all things - including your home - deteriorate over time. What you need to know is when, the work that needs to be done, and how much will it cost. The...

Simple Low-Cost Home Improvement Ideas
By: Bill McCowen | 04/01/2008 | Home Improvement
Home improvements don't have to be major undertakings and you don't need to uproot your family, tear down your house or go thousands of dollars in debt just to get a new look for your home. There are a couple of great ways to make home improvement easier. One is to...

How to Plan a Budget Wedding - the Hidden Secrets
By: Natasha | 09/07/2007 | Weddings
In this article, various tips and great suggestions or 'know hows' is discussed to provide the reader the tools and understandings of the many ways to achieve a budget wedding, but yet an affordable and momentous dream wedding. These very useful tips and suggestions are the hidden secrets towards planning a budget wedding.

How To Choose A Wedding Reception Venue
By: Rebecca Sherman | 09/06/2006 | Marriage
Just as the site of the wedding ceremony often sets the atmosphere for the service, the place chosen for the reception is the key to its enjoyment.

Refinishing Your Hardwood Floors
By: John Rutledge | 15/02/2008 | Home Improvement
Real hardwood floors are a stunning feature and a beautiful investment, but sometimes those striking qualities are covered by years of traffic and dirt. That's where refinishing comes in, but it can be a challenging job for the do-it-yourself handyperson and requires a lot of patience. Overall, the job involves...

Wedding Disasters Solved
By: Stephanie Elms | 03/05/2007 | Marriage
Getting married is such a wonderful and happy time. Planning the wedding and all the events surrounding that day often bring such joyous moments; however, it's not uncommon for everyone to experience some less than desirable situations along the way. Often these situations are not life and death; however, in...

How to Properly Size a Chandelier
By: Lightingshowplace.com | 30/04/2007 | Home Improvement
The following are sizing and positioning guidelines to help you to select the correct chandelier.

Building the Outdoor Play-set / Jungle Gym of your Child’s Dreams… on a Budget!
By: Kari Smith | 07/12/2007 | DIY
Building the play set of your child’s dreams can become a reality. Follow these easy steps to budgeting for the swing set / jungle gym you’ve always wanted.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Upgrade to pressure flush?
By: HandyBob | 23-10-2007
Is there a cost-effective way to retrofit a grafity toilet to a pressure-assist flush?

How would I move Grass Wallpaper
By: jlaakso | 18-10-2007
How would I move Grass Wallpaper

How to install handicap bars in tile shower
By: victorgarfinkle | 11-10-2007
how to install handicap bars in tile shower

Is dating a celebrity, getting pregnant and then ...
By: tul2007tul | 24-09-2007
is dating a celebrity, getting pregnant and then marrying a new trend?

Fixing a Crocs shoe that lost its shape
By: OrenB | 09-09-2007
I left a pair of Crocs shoes in a car on a sunny day, and one of them lost its shape. How can I fix it? I thought I'd use a hair dryer to warm it and then try to get it back to its original shape. Do you think it could work?  

Do I chip in on my girlfriend's friend's gift?
By: Jacen | 04-09-2007
My girlfriend invited me to be her guest at her friend's wedding. I have never met the friend. Am I obligated to chip in on the gift?

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Weddings Articles

Planning a Cheap Wedding - Tips on How to Planning a Cheap Wedding
By: Pius Victor Ephenus | 20/08/2008
There's no doubt about it, weddings can be expensive and as the average cost of a wedding today is 20 to 25 thousand dollars; the wedding industry is estimated at 25.3 billion dollars per year. However, it is possible to plan a cheap wedding if you cannot manage something that requires expensive stationery, photographers, caterers and dresses.

Wedding Celebrations’ Limousines
By: Leo Martinson | 20/08/2008
The text is about the benefit of having a limousine at your wedding ceremony

Make Your Wedding Memorable and Beautiful With Wedding Planners
By: Mario Stewart | 20/08/2008
Wedding is the most memorable moment for any couple. Therefore, wedding arrangements should also be perfect to make this day unforgettable. It requires lots of arrangements from big to small to make this ceremony memorable and beautiful.

Ways to Create Your Wedding Theme
By: Pooja Lapasia | 20/08/2008
This article provides you some ideas to create your wedding theme unique and make your wedding memorable.

Seven Steps for Your Wedding Plan to Come Together
By: Fredeick Stanley | 19/08/2008
Tips on stress free wedding planning

White Wedding Gown….the Ultimate Choice!
By: Camron Hayes | 19/08/2008
Even before the marriage date is fixed, every bride has a dream bridal gown in her mind. The choice of wedding gown is very personal but it has been found that brides from different walks of life still prefer to walk down the aisle in a white wedding gown. To know why continue reading this article……………….

Find Great Honeymoon Travel - Where to Go After the Wedding
By: Bryan Burbank | 18/08/2008
The wedding is always a great celebration but the honeymoon is a time for the bride and the groom to spend some time alone away from family and friends. When choosing a honeymoon destination you should decide whether you want an all inclusive vacation where everything will be included. Many people like to take a cruise because there is so much that is on board to do and being a newlywed couple can make this a great honeymoon choice.

You Can Find a Wedding Photographer - Photos for Album
By: Bryan Burbank | 18/08/2008
When you are planning your big wedding day one of the most important things you will consider is to choose a professional photographer. Out of all the things you will pay for in your wedding the photos that you have will be the memories you will keep. It is important that you find a photographer that both fits into your budget and also is someone you can trust to capture your special day.

More from MacKenzie Wood

Cost Cutting Tips for Wedding Flowers
By: MacKenzie Wood | 05/09/2007 | Weddings
Flowers are treasured for their ability to add romance and elegance to any space; yet, many brides on a budget believe it will be too expensive to create the memorable floral arrangements of their dreams. However, with a little creativity and willingness to try something new, you can easily purchase all of the flowers for your wedding for $200 to $500.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below