Reception: Food on a Budget

The meal or refreshments for your wedding reception can cut into a large part of your budget. Although there is “general and traditional” etiquette, you don’t necessarily have to follow. This is your wedding and it should reflect who you are and not a matter of trying to impress to the point you go in debt. Whether refined or downscaled, your reception can have style and stay within your budget.

Tips for early afternoon weddings:

A dessert buffet - have an assortment of cookies, mini cakes, pastries, truffles, along with punch and coffee. If you have a friend or family member who is a great cook, they may be more than willing to offer their baking skills. It would make the perfect wedding gift.

Tea-party style - a large variety of finger sandwiches, toasted panini, small cakes, tarts and tea, coffee and champagne.

Picnic - if you’re having an outdoor summer wedding, especially near or in a park, going picnic style may work very well. Include fried chicken, slaw, green beans, corn on the cob, potato salad, baked beans, rolls, chips and dips, simple desserts and drinks. Wine, whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic would add a nice touch.

Tips for evening weddings:

A buffet - a variety of pasta, rice, potatoes and bread, along with vegetables and/or garden salad, roasted chicken, sliced turkey, cabbage rolls and simple desserts. Soup would also work well.

Simple - a variety of sliced meats such as roast beef, ham and turkey and a variety of sliced cheese such as provolone, swiss, cheddar. Add in fruits such as grapes, strawberries, sliced apples with dip, a variety of salads and a variety of bread and crackers.

Cocktail-hour style - keep it simple with only cocktail food and drinks. Serve a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks with garnishes such as olives, lemon or lime and cherries. For food, include cheese and crackers, canapés, chips and salsa, raw vegetables with dip, pigs in a blanket and a variety of nuts.

Other tips:

Having the reception catered can be more expensive, but it can also lessen the pressure. This is an individual decision. If you cater your own reception, enlist friends and family members to help. Most people genuinely enjoy being part of the wedding in some way. You can also buy prepared fruit, vegetable, cheese and meat trays at a quality deli, which will save you time and be good on your budget.

If your budget doesn’t allow for a large wedding cake, have a small one made, just for the bride and groom, and then have sheet cakes for the guests.

Simple wedding receptions can be elegant and certainly just as memorable as more elaborate receptions.