One of the aspects of weddings guests look forward to the most is the food to be served. More than anything, the food and beverages in a wedding reception help people socialize and celebrate the union of two people. However, without careful planning, food and drinks can become more expensive than you wedding cake ideas. Significantly reducing the cost of your wedding food can be achieved in multiple ways.

First, you can ask your guests to contribute to a potluck or a BYOB reception. Additionally, you can lessen the amount of food and drinks to be served or look for cheaper alternative ingredients. Some of the event’s details, such as the time, location, and guest list, also influence the pricing for your wedding food. Moreover, you can decrease the amount of staffing and outsourced labor needed in various ways, such as renting food trucks, building do-it-yourself food stations, using disposable utensils and serving ware, and more.

With these wedding food cost-cutting ideas and tips, you can save more of your money to devote to other aspects of the wedding or to your upcoming married life. Simply put, potlucks are events or parties where guests have to contribute a meal or dish to be shared. This is a perfect way to celebrate the union of two families: by coming together and bringing what they can to the table. In other cultures, potlucks are a common way to provide food at weddings. North American cultures, however, seem to shy away from the concept of a potluck, as people often look down on potluck weddings as inferior. Having people bring and share a meal will significantly cut down your expenses.

However, potluck weddings need meticulous planning so that food options will not be duplicated. Likewise, everyone must be aware of their responsibilities and duties. In the same vein, a booze potluck is also a good option to reduce your expenses. Rather than shouldering all of your guests’ cocktail needs, encourage them to bring any alcoholic beverage or liquor that they have. These mixers may include fruit juice, soda, and so on. Additionally, provide ice, napkins, glasses, and any tool your guests might need to mix their cocktail.

Family-style service refers to placing communal dishes directly on the guests’ tables. Each table gets its own set of meals, and the guests will serve themselves. Not only will this ensure that everyone gets to eat the same food, but this will also encourage socialization and interaction within the table. Additionally, opting for a family-style service reduces costs for labor, plating, and service. Not all food will work well with family-style service.