Wedding Caterers - Ways to Make Your Largest Wedding Expense Palatable
- Date: 2007-04-04 - Word Count: 408
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As far as wedding expenses go, your catering or food bill is typically your largest expense. Therefore, choose your wedding caterer carefully. Make sure to attend a "tasting" and check references! Following are some tips for keeping your catering bill palatable:
Hire a caterer that supplies you with everything you'll need for your big day, such as glassware, plates, tablecloths, etc. (and notify the venue of this so they will not charge you for the same items). Pick food items that are in-season.
Buffets cost less and provide your guests with an opportunity to select what they want. Ask about the availability of children's plates.
Be sure to read the contract to see if gratuity is added.
If your reception will be held at a family members' house, have relatives bring a food dish and host a fun, informal buffet.
Be careful on how many hors d'oeuvres you order. Do you really need eight different varieties? Four different varieties are usually sufficient.
When selecting your menu, be careful of all the "extras" that the catering manager may suggest, such as a five course dinner, two types of dessert, etc.
Have your caterer prepare just your main dishes and have friends and family prepare appetizers, side dishes, bread and salad. Many caterers will only allow this at a reception held in your home.
If you're trying to keep costs low, stay away from 'fancy' foods like shrimp, salmon, lobster and beef tenderloin. Incorporate these items as an appetizer rather than the main course.
The more labor-intensive the food item is to prepare, the more it will cost. Think about this when choosing your main course as well as your side dishes and hors d'oeuvres.
Food stations can offer your guests variety and save you money. Pasta, Chinese, Mexican or Indian stations are very economical.
Ask your caterer about "guaranteed numbers". Many caterers will quote prices based upon a minimum or "guaranteed" number of guests. If your final guest count is less than their guaranteed number, there may be an additional fee.
Choose simple white table linens instead of a fancy pattern or an overlay (one table cloth over another). If you want color and pattern, you can add plenty with your table centerpiece.
Use these tips to contain your catering costs. Think of it this way: Maintaining a wedding budget may mean more money can be allocated to the honeymoon, or even towards a down payment on a home!
Hire a caterer that supplies you with everything you'll need for your big day, such as glassware, plates, tablecloths, etc. (and notify the venue of this so they will not charge you for the same items). Pick food items that are in-season.
Buffets cost less and provide your guests with an opportunity to select what they want. Ask about the availability of children's plates.
Be sure to read the contract to see if gratuity is added.
If your reception will be held at a family members' house, have relatives bring a food dish and host a fun, informal buffet.
Be careful on how many hors d'oeuvres you order. Do you really need eight different varieties? Four different varieties are usually sufficient.
When selecting your menu, be careful of all the "extras" that the catering manager may suggest, such as a five course dinner, two types of dessert, etc.
Have your caterer prepare just your main dishes and have friends and family prepare appetizers, side dishes, bread and salad. Many caterers will only allow this at a reception held in your home.
If you're trying to keep costs low, stay away from 'fancy' foods like shrimp, salmon, lobster and beef tenderloin. Incorporate these items as an appetizer rather than the main course.
The more labor-intensive the food item is to prepare, the more it will cost. Think about this when choosing your main course as well as your side dishes and hors d'oeuvres.
Food stations can offer your guests variety and save you money. Pasta, Chinese, Mexican or Indian stations are very economical.
Ask your caterer about "guaranteed numbers". Many caterers will quote prices based upon a minimum or "guaranteed" number of guests. If your final guest count is less than their guaranteed number, there may be an additional fee.
Choose simple white table linens instead of a fancy pattern or an overlay (one table cloth over another). If you want color and pattern, you can add plenty with your table centerpiece.
Use these tips to contain your catering costs. Think of it this way: Maintaining a wedding budget may mean more money can be allocated to the honeymoon, or even towards a down payment on a home!
Related Tags: wedding, caterer, catering, caterers, wedding caterer, wedding caterers, wedding expense
Hilary Basile is a writer for http://www.myguidesusa.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com, you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life's major events. Whether you're planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you'll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com. Find wedding planning tips and resources at http://www.myguidesusa.com/weddings
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