If you’ve got lots of family and friends to invite to your wedding, your biggest problem (after remembering all their names) is how to feed them. Anyone attending a wedding celebration lasting more than a couple of hours expects some kind of sustenance. Catering costs account for over 25% of every wedding budget, so any savings you can make on catering could add a significant amount to your budget.

Here are some great ways to save on wedding catering:

Wedding experts say handing out appetizers and nibbles, rather than having them on a table for guests to help themselves, means guests consume around 40% less during cocktail hour.

Instead of a full sit-down meal, you could make the whole evening a cocktail party. Finger foods are cheaper and still taste delicious, and as long as there’s plenty to go around, no one will miss the full-service meal.

]]>

Presentation is everything. You can make cheaper dishes look fancier by dressing them up on fancy plates or in unique styles. One food stylist suggests serving macaroni and cheese in a martini glass.

Generally speaking, buffet meals cost much less than full plated service. Buffet is also easier to organize, allowing each guest to choose only what he or she wants to eat.

If you’re serving cake, you could always skip the dessert course.

Some foods are pricier at certain times of the year. Discuss seasonal choices with your caterer and find out what stunning dishes are cheaper this season.

If you’re having children at the reception, look for a caterer or wedding venue hire that offers a half-price or free service for children.

If you’re a big foodie and want lots of unique flavours at your wedding, serving a “taster” menu of seven-eight small courses can actually cost less than a heavier three-course meal. Asian-inspired themes and tapas are incredibly popular.

Dressing up plainer, cheaper foods with stunning garnishes will make a cheaper meal look like 5-star cuisine.

To cut costs on the wedding cake, choose a simple one-tier cake to cut and display, then have cheaper sheet cakes of the same flavour in the kitchen for the staff to cut and serve to your guests.

The post Cutting Costs on Wedding Catering appeared first on Catering on the Move.

Catering Costs: What is included, and at what cost.

When searching for a caterer, a few helpful tips will help you choose which caterer will be best for you.

Menu Options: This is very important when asking for quotes. If you know the type of menu that will suit your venue and function, this will help catering businesses quote accurately on menus. Catering can range from delivered platters, corporate functions, weddings to private parties. Advise the type of function when making enquiries of specific menus. This will help your caterer understand the style of catering required.

Easy to understand information: Save yourself time and frustration. Find a caterer with an easy to read website or menu that clearly states menu options, pricing and inclusions. Understanding basic pricing will help keep your total budget in check.

Pricing: Pricing is generally listed as a per person price. A minimum guest number usually applies for the set price per person. Where guest numbers are below minimums, a surcharge may apply. When looking for quotes do check what the price includes.

Staff: While staff costs are included in some prices, others charge separately. Ensure that your quote includes staff to serve if required. If your catering is onsite, then a chef and wait staff may be required to serve and clear.

Plates, Cutlery and Napkins: If you are having a Spit Roast Buffet, Finger Food or Desserts do ask if plates, cutlery and napkins are included in pricing. While platters may be provided to serve Finger Foods, plates and cutlery may not always be included for buffets. Many catering companies are quoting with high quality disposable plates and cutlery, while others provide crockery and stainless steel cutlery. This additional cost needs to be considered, especially at larger weddings as it may increase the per person price quoted.

Cooking & Serving Equipment: Depending on the type of service and menu provided, do double check what cooking and serving equipment is provided in your quote. Nothing is worse than realising you are having finger food delivered for 100 people, and no heating device is provided.

Delivery & Booking Fee: This is generally a separate charge that is fairly small compared to your total quote. These fees are in place to keep per person prices to a minimum. Delivery & Booking Fee may vary depending on the location and additional work required.

Additional Surcharges: These are charges that apply above the quoted price. This may include food costs where Seafood is an option. Public holidays and Sundays may also incur staff surcharges.

Consider your total catering costs and understand what is and what is not included in your quote. Don’t book with one caterer because they offer a great menu in your budget, only to find out that staff or GST is not included in the price.

Having a professional caterer is designed to make your life easier, so make it an enjoyable experience!

The post Catering Costs: What is included, and at what cost appeared first on Catering on the Move.