Five Quick Tips for Saving on Wedding Catering Budget
Having to cut back on the wedding budget is never a topic a bride wants to discuss, but with some practical, simple suggestions, it may not be as painful as you might think. The following are some areas to consider when planning a wedding reception and trying to maintain a reasonable budget.
1. SIZE definitely matters! In this case, smaller may actually be better for your wedding catering budget. You can either plan a "fabulous" meal and party for a smaller number of guests or choose to have an "average" meal and party for a large gathering of family friends and acquaintances. Plan a realistic guest list that includes people who are really important to you and have had an impact on your life.
2. Incorporate DIY aspects. Research vendors who allow for some DIY (do-it-yourself) aspects to be incorporated into your reception. Consider replacing expensive pre-dinner hors doeuvres with a fun and even funky snack table that includes snack items that are favorites of the bride and groom or some food that was significant in their courtship.
3. KISS – always keep it simple, seriously….Centerpieces, decorations, favors, etc. are areas that can range from one extreme to the other. Enlist the help of family and friends who have talent in these areas. Always, remember that simple and elegant are not mutually exclusive.
4. How IMPORTANT is it? This is a great question to ask to determine whether or not, and how much of, the wedding catering budget to allocate to any aspect of the reception. Often there can be a great deal of money, time and energy placed on items that may not impact or enhance the guests' experience. Determine whether you or any of your guests would have an enhanced experience with the inclusion of a certain item or aspect. Guests will remember food, fellowship, and fun much more readily than party favors, decorations, etc.
5. PRIORITIZE – Setting appropriate priorities will eliminate not only stress on the wedding budget but, and more importantly, also eliminate stress of the bride, groom and wedding families. Allocate your dollars and energy to the things that are truly important. Weddings, like life, often require realistic expectations and boundaries. Don't stress yourselves – or your budget – by focusing on extraneous details.
Budgeting for your wedding dream reception doesn't need to become a nightmare. Quick reflection and a little ingenuity can yield significant budget savings that can keep you sleeping like a baby throughout the reception planning experience.
1. SIZE definitely matters! In this case, smaller may actually be better for your wedding catering budget. You can either plan a "fabulous" meal and party for a smaller number of guests or choose to have an "average" meal and party for a large gathering of family friends and acquaintances. Plan a realistic guest list that includes people who are really important to you and have had an impact on your life.
2. Incorporate DIY aspects. Research vendors who allow for some DIY (do-it-yourself) aspects to be incorporated into your reception. Consider replacing expensive pre-dinner hors doeuvres with a fun and even funky snack table that includes snack items that are favorites of the bride and groom or some food that was significant in their courtship.
3. KISS – always keep it simple, seriously….Centerpieces, decorations, favors, etc. are areas that can range from one extreme to the other. Enlist the help of family and friends who have talent in these areas. Always, remember that simple and elegant are not mutually exclusive.
4. How IMPORTANT is it? This is a great question to ask to determine whether or not, and how much of, the wedding catering budget to allocate to any aspect of the reception. Often there can be a great deal of money, time and energy placed on items that may not impact or enhance the guests' experience. Determine whether you or any of your guests would have an enhanced experience with the inclusion of a certain item or aspect. Guests will remember food, fellowship, and fun much more readily than party favors, decorations, etc.
5. PRIORITIZE – Setting appropriate priorities will eliminate not only stress on the wedding budget but, and more importantly, also eliminate stress of the bride, groom and wedding families. Allocate your dollars and energy to the things that are truly important. Weddings, like life, often require realistic expectations and boundaries. Don't stress yourselves – or your budget – by focusing on extraneous details.
Budgeting for your wedding dream reception doesn't need to become a nightmare. Quick reflection and a little ingenuity can yield significant budget savings that can keep you sleeping like a baby throughout the reception planning experience.
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