Wedding venue plays a big role in keeping the costs of wedding food down. If you choose your venue well, then you’ll have a far wider range of options than if you’re locked into a hotel’s preferred set of caterers.

If you are locked into a hotel or other strict wedding venue . . .  

1. Serve your dinner buffet style and order for fewer guests than you’ll actually have. You can usually get away with ordering for 85 percent of your actual number of guests: hotels typically put out too much food.
2. Don’t tell them the event is for a wedding to start with. Like most businesses, they’ll start marking up the instant they realize it’s a wedding.
3. Negotiate with your hotel and really get into the nitty gritty with them. Instead of salmon, can they make flounder? How about using a cheaper cut of beef for the carving station? Can we serve two desserts instead of three? 
4. Serve lunch instead of dinner, or better yet, serve breakfast foods. Breakfast menus are always cheaper, and can add a quirky touch to your wedding.  

 

If your wedding venue is open . . .

1. Ask your favorite restaurant to cater. Restaurants are often less expensive than professional caterers. Of course, you’ll have to worry about silverware and plateware, but depending on your venue, you may be able to rent them.
2. If you can’t afford upscale food, then why not run in the opposite direction? How about barbecue served on brown crate paper with kegs of imported beer? Brides, I know at the word “barbecue” you instinctively reached out to protect your future wedding dress, but you can always add a playful touch to messy dinners by donning oversized bibs or even aprons.  
3. Cut dinner entirely, and double the number of passed appetizers. The appetizers tend to taste better than catered food that’s been sitting out for too long anyway, and if you serve enough booze, the majority of your guests won’t even notice.
4. Go the other way and eliminate appetizers: the savings won’t be as much as getting rid of dinner, but every little bit helps.
5. In cities, look into the possibility of getting food trucks or carts at your reception. It’s a quirky touch that guests are sure to love, and can be just as affordable as catering: and you won’t have to rent silver or plateware.
6. If you’re really on a tight budget, ask your guests to skip the gifts, and bring in their own dishes.