Inexpensive Wedding Reception Food

However high a bird may soar, it seeks its food on earth. – Proverb

A Few Inexpensive Wedding Reception Food Ideas

If your wedding is not going to be professionally catered by a private caterer or by the reception venue, there are many inexpensive wedding food ideas that family and friends can prepare to create a great wedding reception meal. Be sure to ask your venue if self-catering is allowed.

If casual is OK, then a pot luck is always a great economical idea that allows your closest family and friends to share their personal favorite dishes as part of their wedding gift. You can also put “qualified” family members in charge of running a barbeque or grill. In either case, consider buying good quality, themed, disposable ware (utensils, table cloths, etc.) and you are set!

Calculating How Much Food to Serve

As for figuring the amount of food to serve (and then figuring the cost per person), if the wedding will be self-catered, consider that a pot luck will always provide more food than all the guests can eat. Otherwise, just think to make enough for a small group, like for a simple family picnic, and then multiply to cover the entire guest list.

Cheap Caterers for Weddings

Even with a caterer, it’s possible to provide a more elegant or gourmet feel to your reception meal, but still save some money. Here are some suggestions for your catered wedding food ideas on a budget:

Have a catering service deliver prepared items and come back for the cleanup but not stay for serving at the reception.
Make your wedding menu of elegant finger foods and appetizers and skip the plated meal.
Set the time of the wedding for a brunch or luncheon reception
If you are flexible with the wedding day, then reserve a wedding date that is not a Friday or Saturday night.