Reception Food On A Tight Budget

Well, it all depends on the day she is having it and time of the year, but normally you can find some really good deals. If she can`t afford it, she should cut back her guest list. Making that much food is a HUGE undertaking and with everything else going on, she and her future husband will have no time for that. Also, who would serve the food? She`d have to pay for a wait staff. She should just really shop around. Good luck!

You need to start looking now and often. There are good deals out there. I would not recomend making the food yourselves because its alot of work. There are cheap caterers out there. Just look for smaller busineses. Have a sunday wedding and maybe even at the off season. Or just have orderves. Cut down on other wedding stuff.

I feel for her. I am doing the same as her catering myself. But for a much smaller crowd about 150 invited so say 100. Email at marinaeaston@yahoo.ca and I`ll send you links to some sites that may help

I would like to have links to websites that might be helpful for someone planning to cater a reception of 200 people themselves. I plan to do this in April and make the food myself with the help of a few friends.

This may be too late for you but I though I would post it anyway...

There are heaps of ideas I can think of to bring down the costs of a summer reception (I have heaps of ideas for winter too), but here goes:

* A spit roat/ bbq company that provide, spit roasted meats, salads, buns, sauces etc (there are a number of these here in Australia where I live and I am sure there are some where you live)...

* BBQ - you could purchase the meats, breads, sauces etc yourself, and then pay someone to make to salads and stuff and also pay someone to cook and serve it (try someone from a local tech school or catering school or people studying to be a cook/ chef etc)...

* Picnic, you could have someone pack individual picnics for each person, somehting like chicken, salad, bread etc, again go for students who are studying in this area, friends, etc

* Chicken and salad (buy roast/bbq chickens and pre-prepared salads, then have someone make up some simple salads as well), again include bread rolls etc..

* Cold Deli meat platters, cheese platters, salads, antipaasto, fresh crusty bread etc.

If you want to have waiting staff as well, again go for students, who are cheaper, just ask them to wear simple black pants and white shirts...

Just a few quick ideas...
Hope they help

Sharon

I don`t know what her theme is, but I`m getting my catered from a hawiian resturant, its comming to about 6 per person. I also looked at chinese, asian, and american foods. Chains are usually good. Then you can hire wait staff on the side, or use the wait from where you get it. Anything labeled wedding reception or wedding sites are going to be much more expensive.

Hello, I am catering director by trade and thought what a great idea catering my own wedding would be!!!!! Dont do it,, I had all the equipment, trucks, china, glassware, linens, etc.. At my disposal and it was still a nightmare!!!!!!!!! I was so stressed out and it is what I do for a living. Its not worth the stress on you and your familly. Also most people dont have the kitchen space or refridgeration to accomidate that much food. Cut down on your guest count and go for something casual.
Good Luck,Alli