People dream about their wedding day. While some focus more on their attire, others are more concerned about the menu. Whatever the case may be, planning a wedding can be stressful. Also, to make matters worse, a preferred catering service may not be available to work at your event. When you are facing such a difficult situation, you will have no other choice but to take matters into your own hands. Gather up a few friends and family members who are willing to chip in, to feed your wedding guests and then get started creating the menu.
Start With a Budget
Most couples who are planning a wedding will be forced to work with a limited budget. If the bride and groom’s parents are not willing to chip in, the expenses will be the couple’s responsibility. Depending on how many guests you have on your list, it could cost up to hundreds of dollars for the food alone. This is why it is crucial to determine how much money you have to spend on this event, before making the first purchase. Be sure to include the decorations, linens, and beverages in your budget as well.
Affordable but Elegant Appetizers
Every couple wants to present their guests with the best appetizers. However, limited cash flow can prevent this from happening. If you have a knack for cooking, you will be able to create some of the most elegant appetizers at a fraction of the cost that is charged by caterers. Some great appetizer ideas include white bean dip, olive straws, sausage rolls and stuffed cheese puffs. All of these appetizers will taste delicious and look great spread out on a tray.
Salads
Salads are genuinely not that difficult to make. Moreover, the foods utilized to prepare these meals are generally not very expensive. You can make a delicious and elegant-looking salad with only a few ingredients. For example, a spicy carrot salad consists of just grated carrots, water, lemon juice, salt, pepper, parsley, red pepper flakes and minced garlic.
Create your catering menu in minutes. Also, you can save money in the process. Other great ways to save money is to offer a limited open bar, request guests to bring a dish and rent linens and decorations instead of buying.
Entrees
When most couples think of their wedding reception, they think of expensive dishes that everyone will devour. However, a limited budget will not permit such lavish meals. So, it is up to you and your partner to selectively choose an entrée that can be prepared quickly and also be affordable. A wedding reception menu does not need to consist of the most luxurious ingredients. However, it does need to include foods that taste delicious.
Any dish that contains poultry can be prepared to taste delicious. Poultry is an inexpensive food that is available in both boneless and bone-in portions. Chicken is one of the most affordable kinds of poultry, next to turkey, and duck. It is also very accessible and can be prepared in many different ways.
Just remember, that most of your guests will appreciate all the effort you put into the meal. So those who do were not meant to be there in the first place.
