Can't Afford A Cater!! Wedding In Six Days

Do you have good friends who can cook? At this point, with the money you have, self cater or a luncheon reception is your best option.

What time is your ceremony? Depending, you could do dessert and self-catered apps instead?

What about heavy appetizers? Maybe have the caterer do some hot ones and get trays from sams club to set out?

Don't be embarrased btw. Your weddding will still be wonderful!

Maybe take out a small loan?

The ceremony is at 3:00pm at a church and the reception is at 4:30pm. I wanted to take out a small loan but fiance said no.

I would see what could be cut, OR call around for another caterer most likely. I'm sorry that happened. Does your venue allow you to bring food in? If anything talk to your venue too sometimes they know places, I would talk tot he catering company and they might be able to help.

Sorry, I'm against loans...period.

Maybe cut down on the menu or contact a restaurant that may be able to provide platters or something?

Talk to the caterer and see what they can suggest. Maybe some less expensive dining options? Cut out a course and/or the alcohol? If you get another caterer, at this point, won't you lose your deposit?

Thank you all for the advice. Yea the reception hall is at a park building, they allow outside food. I'm going to call restaurants tomorrow morning to see what can be done at short notice. The menu was

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Grilled Chicken/Leg Quarters

White Rolls

Fruit- Strawberries,Grapes,Pineapples,Canalop

Grilled Salad w/ ranch lattice,tomatoes,croutons

Green beans w/ red potatoes chopped onions

The cater was charging us 1,200 for this menu and we were going to buy our own food for him to make. We were going to use our own servers.

What do you think we can cut from the menu?

Oh we are buying our own alcohol.

Maybe cut back on some of the fruit. Offer salad without the chicken. Maybe no green beans?

I would call the caterer and let them know of the situation. Ask what they can do for $600, or if they have a payment plan. I'm sure they can do a different main dish for cheaper.

Also, if you are buying your own alcohol, can you offer less selection and use those savings to fund the food?

I'm going to call the caterer tomorrow morning and see. Also my mother in law is buying the alcohol.

Can your MIL contribute to the food instead of the alcohol and cut back there? Maybe do watermelon and grapes since they are less expensive? Pineapple is a more expensive fruit so some can be saved there. You are already having a salad, so do you need the green beans? Are you paying the servers? Can you cut back there or maybe hire some college students? Just trying to brainstorm to save you some money.

Hi, Mrs. Kari.

The servers are friends from my church,they are doing it for free. My MIL is doing a brisket and his step-dad is making fried fish. the thing is shes making the brisket on Wednesday, and the fish on Friday. I don't think I'm going to be eating the food at my wedding.

I would talk to your MIL about the situation and eliminate the alcohol if I can contribute that money to food. I know it's not what you want to do the night before your wedding, but you and FI (and anyone that offers to help) can certainly do a fruit and cheese platter, and a salad. It won't take long.

How many people are you having? I would talk to the caterer first after this to see what he can do for $600 if you've reduced the time he's spending by half (since you're already paying for the food). Also, what foods are less expensive? Perhaps a pasta with a meat sauce?

Is there a penalty if you break your contract? If not, you might want to check out local restaurants. I've seen them do amazing platters for very little. I was at a HS graduation party this weekend where they ordered platters of stuffed shells and chicken tenders very inexpensively and they were delicious.

How close are you to the caterer? Is there anyway they will allow you to pay right after the wedding with money you get? Though I know it's not good to count on money you aren't positive you are getting...

Can you/FH/friends/family make some of that stuff or buy it for cheaper? if you have a friend with a grill, they could grill stuff for you, you can make a fruit salad pretty easy, rolls are cheap if you buy them in bulk from Sam's Club or BJ's or something. you can also ask the caterer what they will do for $600 or see if you could set up a payment plan with them since it's not like you have time to save the money right now.

Work with the caterer and see what they can come up with for you - congrats on your big day!

At this point you are so close to your wedding, are you under contract with this person? If so, you may be responsible to pay regardless. I would typically never suggest this, but if it were me I would be opening up a credit card and having it rushed.