FOOD AND DRINK

Finding ways to trim the wedding catering budget

FOOD and alcohol, along with the venue, are the most expensive parts of a wedding. On average, Australians spend $18,000 on the three. Sometimes it can be difficult to keep costs low, especially if venues do not allow you to self-cater or bring your own drinks. Here are some tips and things to think about if you want to keep food and drinks cost low.

Catering on a budget

If you re after a formal sit-down meal, it doesn’t have to cost a small fortune. There are plenty of professional and affordable caterers available to put together your ideal wedding meal. Do your research to find the best deal and make sure your venue is happy to work with an outside caterer.

DIY Food

If your venue allows, why not self-cater some of the food, if not all of the food, at your wedding?

Appetisers can be very expensive to organise, so why not hold a cooking session the day before the wedding with some family and friends where you make some nibbles? Making your own will allow you to make some fancy things at a cheap cost. If you don’t have time to make some, buy things from supermarkets, either fresh or frozen. Also, to save even more money do not have servers. Just ask a family member or friend to place the appetisers on tables for people to enjoy.

Do you need alcohol?

Do you and your partner not drink much? If you don’t drink usually then why have alcohol at your wedding? It would just be an extra cost that is not about you on a day that is all about you. If you do want to have a drinks package, consider having an open bar for only two hours instead of four. Or if you venue allows it, bring your own alcohol.