Expensive DC/Metro Area Catering!

Would an elegant buffet with the same elegant dishes and silver make a significant price difference, and would your caterer be open to that idea? Waitstaff costs (and gratuities) could be reduced, Open bar for the first two hours or so of reception and then switch to cash bar? Do you have a planner that could help you cut costs with his/her knowledge and connections and possible discounts? An event of the caliber you are looking at will take some professional guidance. I wish you all the best!

I know! I live in NorthernVa I haven't picked a catering company yet. Half aren't even responding to me. I'm getting very fustrated by the high prices and lack of responsiveness. Everything else is super expensive around here too. Photography prices are nuts!!! This is a hard place to live. I'm moving back home with my parents so I won't have pay rent anymore and can save more money for the wedding.

I know it sucks doesn't it? Luckily we found a venue that did their own catering - and we're getting married on a Sunday which cut the price per head from $150 tax and gratuity to $100 [including tax and gratuity] AND no food and beverage min [if we did a Saturday we'd have to spend $20k!]. Keep looking - you'll find what you want, just keep at it! Good luck!

Does your venue have specific caterers you have to use? If not you can try Charm City Catering: http://www.charmcitycatering.com/index.htm They are in Baltimore, so they may travel to DC. I can't use them for my venue because the venue is all inclusive, but when I was researching I found they had lots of different menu options for different budgets. Also, if you haven't done so you may want to go to a local bridal show. I had luck finding vendors at this one: http://bridalshowcase.com/ so you may want to check out the next one they have to see if there are any caterers there. In addition, their website is a good resources to at least get some contact information of vendors: http://bridalshowcase.com/exhibitors.html?ActiveCategories.SelectedCategory.ID=448 Good luck!

I live in the DC area and it is ridiculous how expensive EVERYTHING is, the wedding venues are totally in line with that. We ended up finding our dream venue up in Philly. But that was after searching all over this area for a reasonable place. Sorry but I didn't find one! Good Luck in your searching!

I found a good photographer for a good price. If interested email me and I can send you a link to her stuff and my engagement pictures.

An elegant twist to buffet is meal stations. They should cost less because they are not a plated dinner but are set up like a buffet without the buffet feel.

I started looking in the DC metro area. The problem that I had was that a lot of the more reasonable venues had been used by so many people...like Martins. They are nice but I wanted something different. Dazzling venues like the 4 Seasons (yes I lost my mind and called them) had a $55,000 food and beverage minnimum for a Sat night wedding YIKES!!!!! Baltimore is slightly better but not much. You may have to check other areas of Maryland like the Eastern Shore to get a better price. Friday and Sunday's are cheaper and beer and wine instead of full bar can help cut costs as well. Be careful regarding the buffet...some places charge you more because they make 20% more food to accomodate guests that want 2nd helpings.

I totally relate to you. My wedding will also be in the DC area, since that's where my FH is from and lives. Not being familiar with the area made the vendors search a nightmare.

What I can suggest is cutting down the guestlist. The caterer I chose in the end was super professional and responsive and helped me work out a menu that fit into the budget (for intance cutting some of the hor d'houevre). So talking to them and telling them what you would like and your budget always helps. But keep in mind that your vision might not fit your budget, so be prepared to compromise.

As soon as you have the vendors down, the fun part starts. Planning the decoration and dress is fun. Vendors search not.

I am a Catering Sales Manager in DC at a hotel. And yes, DC is expensive any way you look at it. But if you email me what your budget is, how many people, and what you would like included, I would be delighted to see what I can do for you. We have a great Chef and we always do customize menus to work around bugets.... email me at work and I'll check right away for you. and don't forget to let me know the date and I'll check availability as well. *****.******@*****************.***.

Hi! I totally understand what you're saying. I am a planner (atouchofoohlala.com) 301-467-6787, and I have had several clients with your same dilema. If you like, you can give me a call, and I can refer you to some places that are very nice, and possibly more friendly on your budget. The best to you, and by the way, I know that you'll find a plce to make your dreams turn into a reality.

Are you able to get outside of DC at all? I don't have specific venue suggestions, but things in general are cheaper in Northern VA and Maryland the further out you go. I would recommend looking into places like in Loudoun county or something. Dunno... good luck (we are in DC and having our wedding out of town for this exact reason!)

I am in the DC area as well. It is getting expensive for me but I am so glady I am having my wedding at Martins Crosswinds were everything is included. When I was looking at venu I was trying to cut down cost on the food but have it be good. Don't think this is tacky but one of my option was Boston Market. They cater to weddings in professional wear with nice professional catering dishes. Check out their website. Another one that I had found the cheapest was R&J caters company in VA. Hope all is well. If you need additional help let me know. And I am having my brother to do the invitations since he his good at computer graphics and knowing how to do things.

Not tacky at all! Boston market is delicious! mmmm....

If you haven't booked your venue yet....You can save a lot of money by booking a VFW or American Legion hall. THey aren't the nicest looking places, but you can decorate the hall to make it look nice...That will free up more money to spend on catering. Also, The Holiday Inn in Gaithersburg should be able to provide the reception room and catering for under 10K. I've been to a wedding with Boston Market as catering...It wasn't the worst food I have had at a wedding, but please don't use Boston Market as your caterer. They charge like $14-$20 per person and it includes lemonade, and ice tea. Their staff dresses in black pants and a white shirt, but it's not nice enough for a wedding IMO. Also, if you want a plated dinner...check out Magianos off of Wisconsin Ave. It's right near Chevy Chase, but technically in D.C....They give HUGE portions, and the room where they host weddings in is really nice. Pretty much in the D.C. area it's real hard not to spend at least 20K on a wedding

Does your venue have a preferred caterers list? If not I would recommend using a smaller, independent catering company as opposed to one of the larger establishments that are going to charge you the kind of quotes you've been getting. I personally recommend Catering by Frances 240 370 5549. She is amazing to work with, her food is to die for and she is affordable.

So glad I live in Indiana! Well, I'm only glad I'm getting married in Indiana for cost purposes. I'll eventually stray towards palm trees once all the kids are out of the house. I've seen many posts in reference to East Coast wedding costs. Scares the heck out of me.

Check in the southern maryalnd area. I live in calvert county and we have a few catering companys (like maryland country caterers) that have fairly good food for good prices and many will deliver to the DC area because its a direct shot up Rt 4

I Live in Richmond but i'm from the DC Metro area so I know exactly what you mean. We are having our Wedding in Maryland since that is where all of the family is. I'm in the process of finding a caterer also. I'm to the point now that I may just buy the food and have family cook it and set it up buffet style. My family members can throw down so i'm not worried about how it will taste. We will have people serve themselves but we will do table by table so there won't be a long line waiting for food. It's less expensive to buy the food yourself. It's a little work but I tell you. I refuse to go into my marriage in debt! Your wedding can still be really classy and nice.

I'm not from your area, but check out the internet/phonebook/friends and see if there are any caterers near you that run small businesses. Typically, they are more realistic and are willing to sit down with you to do tastings and consultations at little to no cost. That way, you can design a menu specific to you but not have to spend $20,000. I saw that number, and my jaw dropped, to be honest. I am in the St. Louis area, and I understand it isn't DC, but WOW! Like others said, try the independent caterer if you're able. They are usually more flexible and more able to work within a budget. Good luck to you!