How to cut catering costs

It depends on what time your wedding is. If your wedding is near or before a normal dinner time (5-8 PM) you must serve dinner. Plates per person can range from $22-$100 per person. My reception dinner is at 7:30 in the evening and we're averaging $88 a person. You could look into buffet ... but catering is one of the most expensive budget killers for a wedding. You'll need to shop around and get estimates. Remember you'll also need to rent linens and place settings for both.

I specifically chose a venue that allows me to bring my own food. My mom is a former caterer, so she is providing a simple, but delicious buffet. Generally, buffets are less expensive than table service. It would be inconsiderate of your guests not to provide a meal if they are going to be there in the evening. Most will assume that there will be dinner, and thus won't eat before hand

People always think buffet is cheaper, but its definitely not. Here are a few ways of cutting it down that I've learned (I'm an event planner)

- This is in extreme cases, but I've done it. Ask the venue if there are any events going on the day before or after yours. Usually, if you piggy back off of someone else's menu it can be a tad cheaper because the venue isn't getting a whole new menu to work with. (this can also help with decor)

- Try family style - its similar to buffet except, the estimate of how many people will eat what can be more accurate. It also cuts down a bit on the service part.

- Pick the cheapest items on the menu

- Similar to buffet style, appetizers can be more expensive than you think it will be as well. So I wouldn't go with that option (plus you'll have this constant worry that there won't be enough food for everyone)

Beef and seafood tends to be more expensive, so maybe look at chicken and pork, or even vegetarian options.

I would recommend that you call a few caterers and get some menus and pricing first. You are looking to cut costs, but you don't know what the cost is yet. Your budget might be enough to cover what you want. Call a few places, tell them what you have budget wise to spend per person and see if they can work up a menu within those parameters.

Crystal S has the best plan so far in my opinion. Ideally, think of the menu you really want. Give the caterers you call something to go off of before deciding if you can/cannot afford it. Let them know your budget, etc. If you don't know your budget yet, well, stop everything, and figure it out

If it doesn't work out, I would change the time of your wedding. Brunch weddings (morning ceremonies) are so much cheaper to do. Early afternoon weddings are easy to do because they are just app's, and not an actual meal. There are a few ways you could cut costs, but you need to know your budget, have your *ideal* menu in mind, and then see who can give you the best price.

We are planning 2 dinners, one in Redington Shores FL right after our ceremony, and a reception in Northeast Ohio when we return home. We are having a sit down dinner at a seafood restaurant in FL, guests get a selection of 6 different entrees, plus we will have appetizers, all for $18/person. When we return home we are having a buffet service with a bbq theme; including pulled pork, chicken, redskin potatoes, green beans, mac n cheese, and rolls and salad for $17/person. We cut out a salad course in Florida, and have a family member preparing the appetizers in Ohio to help keep our costs down.

Definitely call!!! As stated above a dinner can range. In my are I've seen anywhere from $13-$125 pp. Are you looking at venues that offer catering or not? This also indicated cost. If your venue has catering they often don't charge for linens etc.

At most places I looked at buffet was more expensive than sit down. With buffet that have to make more food, with a seated dinner its easier to estimate the cost for the venue/caterer.

My venue is doing the catering which is gonna run us $20.95 pp. CHICKEN is the cheapest direction lol even if you were to have fam members pitch in and cook, chicken smothered in a broth/gravy with rice a vegetable and roll . my cousin served this at her wedding and it was VERY INEXPENSIVE.

You could ask for just stationary hors d'ouvers instead of passed and do a buffet instead of plated because that cuts down on servers. You could serve a cheaper meat (chicken) instead of steak or fish. Serve cupcakes instead of cake if the venue/caterer has a cake cutting fee. Ask about linens. Sometimes white linens are less to rent from the caterer than colorful ones.

Sitting hors d'oeuvres (lots of dips and dippers as opposed to separate little items like tartlettes and things that need to be handmade).

Plated will usually be cheaper. It's a controllable amount of food. Do an interesting chicken dish. Family style is fun too, if your caterer doesn't have to rent a million platters.

Less courses; Salad (maybe embellished with fresh mozzarella or some other cool garnish), entree, dessert. Cake as dessert

As much as I love just appetizers, it's usually not a less expensive way to go.

I would also ask the caterer what they can do most cost effectively.