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4 Sneaky Ways to Cut Back on Costs on Wedding Catering Services

What are some sneaky ways to cut back on wedding catering services costs?

  1. Enjoy a buffet style reception
  2. Don’t be tempted to go fancy
  3. Consider food in season
  4. Skip the full bar and champagne

 

If you’re set to be wed sometime in the near future, then you should already know that weddings are expensive and cost about half a million pesos. In fact, even if you aren’t expecting to walk down the aisle anytime soon, you’re probably aware of this universally-known fact.

However, you might not be aware that a majority of your budget is going to be spent on wedding catering services. Especially if you want to hire the best catering in Manila, this will take up a large chunk of your expenses.

The main reason for this is the importance of food during such events, most especially for Filipinos. Not that many would be willing to admit it but we can tell you that most guests are expecting to have a taste of scrumptious food and refreshing drinks during the reception. These are expectations that soon-to-be-weds would want to meet or, better yet, exceed, eventually leading to them spending a fortune to make sure that everything is no less than perfect.

We understand the desire to impress guests and make sure they have a good time during your wedding but you don’t have to empty your packets solely for that purpose. There are actually ways to keep everyone happy while keeping your wallets full, and that’s what we have listed here. Continue reading to find out how you can sneakily cut back on wedding catering costs!

 Enjoy a Buffet Style Reception

Enjoy a Buffet Style Reception

Sit-down dinners are more convenient for your guests but much too costly for your pockets because you’re going to need an extensive serving staff to tend to each table. This can cause your catering bill to skyrocket and you surely don’t want that to happen.

Instead of going traditional, opt for a buffet. If you do, you’re going to have fewer expenses to think of and your guests are going to be a lot happier since they’d be able to get as much food as they want!

 

Don’t Be Tempted to Go Fancy

Going fancy is a strong temptation that you must learn to avoid if you really want to cut back on costs. Food such as steak, duck, and salmon are much too fancy and are just going to balloon your expenses, so don’t go with those.

Try going for comfort food meals such as pizza, mac and cheese, tomato soup, and the like. It’s a huge wedding trend nowadays and your guests are sure to go crazy for them.

 Consider Food in Season

Consider Food in Season

Another way to come up with a menu that is both cost-effective and filling is to choose food that is in season and can be found locally. Fruits and vegetables that are in season aren’t just cheaper, they also tend to be fresher. At the end of the day, your caterer will be able to make significantly more amazing meals for less the price.

 

Skip the Full Bar and Champagne

Booze can really push the price of your wedding catering services which is why it is highly suggested that you skip the full bar and offer two practical alternatives. One is to stick strictly to beer and wine and the other is to serve signature cocktails concocted by you and your spouse. This is sure to save you a bit of money and lower the chance of you having to usher your friends home.

Another thing you can skip is the champagne for your toast. Let the guests toast with the drinks they already have and have you and your partner drink cheaper but equally delicious sparkling wine – no one will be able to tell the difference.

 

Key Takeaway

There’s no reason for you to empty your pockets to serve fancy meals and drinks to your guests during the reception of your wedding. They may have expectations but you aren’t obligated to meet them. Besides, they’d be just as happy to eat comfort food or fresher food that are in season than if they were served fancy dishes. What’s important here is to make sure that you’re giving them absolute delicious meals that they won’t be able to forget – something you can do if you hire the best catering in Manila!

How to Make Your Wedding the Best Without Compromising Your Budget

What are some of the factors you could consider cutting some costs on without compromising your wedding?

1. The guest list
2. The invitations
3. The wedding car
4. The reception venue
5. The wedding rings

So, here’s a fact: the wedding catering, the cake, the invitations, the venue, and the bride’s gown [most especially] will all cost you sums of money; although, you got to keep in mind that this occasion could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Therefore, spending some cash on these things should be worth it. But be careful not to go overboard. After all, you have to be wary of your budget.

This, however, does not mean you have to settle on cheap and substandard items for your special day; doing this could very much be a recipe for disaster. Hence, you really have to be smart about how you go about planning your wedding. To help you out, here are simple factors for you to consider to cut some costs for your wedding day:

THE GUEST LIST

THE GUEST LIST

Yes, the guest list. Remember, you don’t need to get a bunch of families to your wedding day. The only people you really need to invite are those who have played a significant part in you and your fiancé’s lives. In fact, you could keep the occasion as intimate as you want.

For example, you originally have 150 people in mind to invite to your wedding. Don’t feel pressure to maintain this number, you could cut this number down into something you know you are comfortable with. By doing this, you will be able to save money and allocate it to somewhere else.

 

THE INVITATIONS

THE INVITATIONS

Invitations could be a great representation of your wedding, as you get to send them over to your guests. This means that a great presentation is a must. If you are trying to cut some extra cost on this item, then you could focus on a particular element that you’d want to highlight in the invite’s designs, instead of going all out. Remember, your invites could still look creative, fabulous, or formal (whichever you prefer) without the extra frills that may cost you a lot.

Apart from that, you also need to consider what materials you should use in order to avoid going over your budget. Today, one of the top reasons why invitations are expensive is because of the kind of material used for its printing. Typography style, as well as other details, could also be another reason. Hence, it can be pretty wise to just invest on a specific element, rather than spending on all these details that wouldn’t do much on your wedding day.

Or if you’re into arts, why not try crafting them yourself?

THE WEDDING CAR

THE WEDDING CAR

Who wants a limousine for their wedding day? Everybody does. But let’s be practical, often times, a city car is enough to make the wedding look grand. It does not really matter what type of wedding car you choose, just as long as it’s formal looking, matches your theme, and of course, can get you to and from your venue.

Even more so, you could pick a very simple auto; one that exudes simplicity is enough to turn heads on your special day.

THE RECEPTION VENUE

THE RECEPTION VENUE

Most people would think that setting up the reception at their place, is cheaper. We’d hate to break it to you, but this is not entirely true.

This is a common misconception, especially since not everyone actually has all the stuff that professional wedding catering services would need for them to have a proper set up. It is also extremely stressful. Plus, it would often consist of extra charges for the needed tools and equipment – unless, of course, your wedding caterer is adept in providing this kind of service.

In order to save some money on your venue, talk to your wedding catering provider to see whether they have some packages that includes venues. Availing for these services are usually much easier since they already include all the necessary items to make your wedding day worth remembering.

THE WEDDING RINGS

THE WEDDING RINGS

Many would probably disagree on this one, but if you really want to play around your budget and still make your wedding the best yet, you could perhaps choose inexpensive wedding rings. For now, you could select gold or silver wedding bands, and later on invest in something more shiny and sparkly – let’s say on your anniversary.

The advantage of doing this is that you get to pick something better in the future, given that you’ll need not to think about other costs. This could pretty much be your solution to avoid spending so much money on special day.

KEY TAKEAWAY

Have you decided on how you’d trim down your budget? Be sure to consider the factors listed above. Truly, a wedding is a most complicated event to plan out with all the details that comes along with it. However, it’s also one of the most significant and memorable moments for you and your spouse-to-be.

With the right planning and budgeting, you wouldn’t fail on achieving a wedding that is worth it.