With the average UK wedding costing £21,000 and catering being one of the most expensive costs of the day - we take a look at some top tips to reduce your costs.
Do your Research
However far in advance your wedding is planned for the catering should be looked into as soon as possible. Make sure you do your research thoroughly beforehand - you don't always have to use your venues caterers - check when looking at venues. If you can use external caterers this can save money - but make sure you look into both options before you make a decision.
When looking into your own caterers make sure to shop around - gather quotes, check reviews and even meetup with potential caters and gather sample menus. Try to get your potential caterers to compete against one another - telling one company of a lower quote you have received could help you secure a better deal.
When looking into your own caterers make sure to shop around - gather quotes, check reviews and even meetup with potential caters and gather sample menus. Try to get your potential caterers to compete against one another - telling one company of a lower quote you have received could help you secure a better deal.
DIY as Much as You Can
When you are choosing a caterer check what they include within their price - then double check! You don't want to fall flat when you realise a few weeks before that you have to provide your own table linen or glassware. However if you can DIY parts of your catering this could help you to save some costs. If hiring furniture, tableware or table linen is a part of your cost - check whether an event caterer can do these elements for cheaper - you never know.
Most caterers will add a mark-up to items so looking around at other external equipment hire companies could help you to save.
Most caterers will add a mark-up to items so looking around at other external equipment hire companies could help you to save.
Substitute Dessert With Cake
Do you really need a dessert and a cake? Our thoughts on it are no! Use your cake as your dessert and save on an extra course for all guests. DIY-ing your cake will also help you to save on your cake - view some top tips on creating your own Wedding Cake here.
Compromise on Food Served
Choose one expensive or high-end course or drink and then pick affordable food or drink for the rest of your day. For example you could swap champagne with prosecco or Buzz Fizz and you could have inexpensive stater and dessert with a more expensive main.
Two Meals? Opt for one!
The traditional wedding normally consists of the wedding breakfast followed later by a buffet of some sort - why have both? If you are looking to really shave down your budget consider a later wedding - 4pm could work well then serve a buffet at 7pm and your guests will be sorted for the night! Cut your cake a little later to keep your guests satisfied too.