Simple Ways to Save On Your Wedding Catering by:Nicola Ray

Today's weddings are normally catered according to a particular tradition: canaps

with the wedding drinks, a three-course, formal meal, and a hot buffet bar near the end of the reception. All these courses really drive up the cost of catering quickly.

But you don't have to follow this tradition, especially when breaking it can give you loads more money in your budget for other things. The following tips will end up saving you tons of money.

Be simple

Footing the bill for a high-class multi-course meal for a hundred people is incredible expensive, but serving a simpler, more laid-back menu can really keep your costs low. Think about having traditional pub foods like fish and chips or bangers and mash (it's what Kate Winslet did!). These foods are crowd-pleasers, and they're better for your budget.

Use a catering school

Many bigger cities have a catering college somewhere, and their students often love to practice catering at wedding receptions. They may do it for practically free.

Check with your local education office to look at catering schools near you. Even if the college doesn't hire out catering teams, you may find some students who will help you on an individual basis.

Go through a local company

Hiring a local restaurant or small catering company rather than a large, nation-wide catering company can save you lots of money. Many smaller companies won't charge as much for catering, and the service and food will still be great.

DIY catering

Find friends and family members who will help you cater your own reception. If each person makes a dish or two, you can easily put together a wonderful buffet-style dinner without much fuss.

See it differently

Worry more about what you want than about what tradition dictates. Instead of a full meal, provide a dessert menu with sweet wines, or simply serve canaps and champagne. For a fun feel, serve a spit-roast or BBQ at an outdoor wedding.

Serve less food

The tradition of serving a sit-down meal followed by a buffet later on is only a recent thin, and there's no rule you have to follow here.

Following the same trends other brides are following will only cost you thousands. If you need to cut money from your budget, consider making your day less stressful by opting for a streamlines, simple reception dinner without the added extras.

About the author

Nicola Ray writes for Cheap Wedding Success, a website dedicated to planning beautiful budget weddings. Youll find hundreds of ideas on cheap wedding dresses, catering, venues, stationery and more at http://www.cheap-wedding-success.co.uk.

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