Your wedding is the day of your dreams coming true. Every couple dreams of a wedding day that encompasses all of the emotions to make memories that will last a lifetime. A celebration full of love and laughter can only be completed with a meal that leaves the guests satiated and happy. This is where smart wedding catering, especially Indian Catering in USA, comes into play.
As one of the most important aspects of a successful wedding party, wedding food catering can quickly become one of the most expensive aspects of the budget. However, if you know your way around the wedding food catering industry, you will realize that you can save money without sacrificing taste or style.
A little creativity and smart planning can take you a long way and help you serve incredible food, delight your guests, and still keep your budget in check. This article will share ten ways you can save money on your wedding catering. This way, you can cut your costs without trimming corners.
Why Catering Costs Add Up at Weddings
When you are planning your wedding, it is quite expected that the budget may not be able to hold the weight of your expectations and dreams. On the surface, food may not seem like such a big aspect, but catering actually is a combination of multiple hidden costs that can add up fast. Once you understand these reasons, it becomes even more evident why you need to choose affordable Indian wedding catering.
When you want all the important people in your life to make it to your wedding, the guest count will eventually increase the prices. Even a modest increase of 20 to 30 guests can add thousands of dollars to the final bill.
The use of upscale ingredients and an elaborate 3-course plated dinner with premium selections, along with custom menu requests, push the prices upward.
Beyond the quoted per-plate price, mandatory charges for service, gratuity, local taxes, and other hidden charges can make a significant dent in your budget.
All of these reasons are self-explanatory, but you need to understand that you can save yourself from the sharks if you find a reliable wedding caterer to help you through it. This is where Tabla Indian Restaurant comes into the picture. You can opt for budget wedding catering services so that your guests can enjoy amazing dishes while you save some bucks.
10 Practical Ways to Save on Wedding Catering
While wedding catering can be quite expensive, it doesn’t have to drain your budget completely. There are certain practical, strategic choices that you can make to ensure you don’t end up losing all of your savings. Here is a list of 10 practical ways to stretch your catering dollars without compromising quality.
1. Pick a Venue With Flexible Catering Options
The basic rookie error most couples end up making is choosing a venue that doesn’t allow them to opt for catering from outside the premises. Instead, look for a place that allows you to bring in your own caterer, food trucks, or even a trusted restaurant.
2. Shorten the Guest List
While the idea may sound outrageous at first, shortening the guest list can significantly reduce costs. By inviting only your closest family and friends, you are making the gathering more intimate and meaningful while offering the guests higher quality food, better service, and a chance to truly connect.
3. Go for Buffets or Food Stations
Choosing a buffet or food station instead of a traditional plated dinner makes it a more casual affair where everyone is relaxed and having a great time. This way, you can incorporate variety and interactivity. From pasta bars to taco counters or even live grill corners, it gives a personalized experience.
4. Feature Seasonal & Local Ingredients
Choose ingredients that are readily available and local. When building your menu this way, you cut down on pricey imports and support local farmers and businesses.
5. Reduce Rental Costs with Smart Dinnerware Choices
Rather than splurging on expensive silverware, you can opt for classic designs that look elegant without inflating the bill. Also, you can check if the venue’s in-house options are included in your package to save on additional costs.
6. Simplify the Bar Menu
Open bars stocked with liquor sound like a great idea, but only until the bill arrives. Choose a few crowd-pleasers with signature cocktails, along with wine and beer, to keep it simple and smart.
7. Limit Starters and Hors d’Oeuvres
Go easy on the pre-dinner bites. Stick to three to four well-chosen starters that balance flavor and variety. This way, your guests will eagerly look forward to the dinner, and no food ends up getting wasted.
8. Choose Budget-Friendly Main Courses
Since the main course is the centerpiece of the meal, make sure that it is built around budget-friendly choices. Pasta, risotto, roasted chicken, or vegetarian entrées are some of the top picks for a budget-friendly main course option.
9. Keep the Cake Simple
Instead of a multi-tiered fondant masterpiece, you can go for something budget-friendly and looks adorable at the same time. Many couples have started offering four options, such as cupcakes or even cake pops placed together to make for a memorable wedding cake.
10. Be Transparent About Your Budget with Your Caterer
Do not make the grave mistake of shying away from sharing your real budget with your caterer. Your caterer has the ability to work within a small budget only if you share the reality of it. Moreover, your caterer can come up with amazing wedding catering tips that will astonish you and assist you in the end.
Hopefully, all these wedding catering ideas will help you plan your wedding party within a budget and better than any wedding party you have attended so far.
Why Working with a Professional Caterer Still Matters
After going through these meticulously curated practical tips, you might not feel the need to reach out to a professional caterer. But this is where you might mess up. Check the reasons explaining why working with a professional caterer still matters.
- A professional caterer can help you plan portions, so you don’t over-order.
- With a professional caterer by your side, handling dietary restrictions becomes seamless.
- The food will be served at the right temperature and properly stored to ensure food safety.
- You can let the caterer deal with the stress of planning and execution while you prep for your big day.
Final Words
With all these tricks up your sleeve, you will be able to plan the perfect wedding of your dreams even when walking a tightrope with your budget. Reach out to Tabla Indian Restaurant, part of a growing Indian Food Franchise, to get hold of their amazing catering services for your upcoming big day.
