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Updated Jul 16, 202416 Wedding Food Ideas on a Budget That Taste Great & Save You Money
Step one: Don’t try to do everything yourself.
To have a memorable celebration, it's totally worth dropping a little dough on your guests, even so, it doesn't hurt to get some wedding food ideas on a budget. The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study, which surveyed nearly 10,000 newlyweds, puts the average wedding catering cost at $85 per guest. But we know not everyone wants to spend an arm and a leg, that's why we rounded up 16 food choices to save on wedding catering while keeping the quality intact. Plus, get insider tips from wedding experts on how to be budget-friendly while planning your menu.
In this article: Wedding Food Ideas on a Budget & How to Save Money on Wedding Food
Wedding Food Ideas on a Budget
Before we delve into the logistics of affordable wedding food, let's go over all the fun and tasty options for your potential menu. Keep reading to see what quality choices work with your food preferences and wedding vibe.
1. Charcuterie Boards or Grazing Tables
Photo: Katerina Kutas Photography,Caterer: Preludio Noleggio
A wedding food trend that couples and guests love is grazing tables and charcuterie boards. This option is ideal for to-be-weds having small weddings since the variety of meats, cheeses and fruits can get more expensive the bigger it gets in size. We also love how charcuterie boards and grazing tables are completely customizable, like many of the ideas on our list, so people with dietary restrictions or food allergies don't miss out.
2. Taco Bar
One of our favorite wedding reception food ideas on a budget are taco bars. This can be a DIY wedding food option where guests add their own toppings to their handheld cuisine or the taco bar can be an interactive experience where guests order their custom taco and watch as the chefs make it right in front of them. This is an inexpensive way to offer a large quantity of food without breaking the bank.
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3. Pizza
Photo: Mary Costa Photography
,Caterer: The Urban Oven
Another top affordable wedding food idea on our roundup, pizzas, are known to be crowd-pleasers. While accommodating your guests' food allergies or dietary restrictions, your pizza area can offer a select menu of dough, sauce and toppings options that'll keep everyone happy. Hire a catering team who can work with numerous food preferences and expertly sling pies in front of guests or bring them hot and ready.
4. Food Truck
Food trucks are known as cost-effective options, compared to traditional catering, that still stand out. Whether you want one to serve sweet treats or savory bites, there are endless choices. It's important to note that this is budget-friendly if you're hosting a Sunday or weekday wedding or have a low guest count since food truck caterers tend to charge more otherwise.
5. BBQ Buffet
Photo: Stacey Bishop Photography
A backyard BBQ is one of the best summer wedding food ideas on a budget. This casual choice is ideal for to-be-weds with a small guest list since more people equals more meats which can increase your bill quickly. Also, you can also save money on decor since this cuisine is eaten in a more relaxed environment.
6. Restaurant Catering
Just about every restaurant offers catering now. So if you're looking for wedding buffet ideas from a place you know and love, you're in luck. Besides your local favorites, you can also choose a chain restaurant that fits your wants and needs. To save even more money, consider using a food delivery app to bring the meals to your venue instead of having the restaurant do so. You will have to figure out who sets up the food and ensures it stays fresh. Important note: Some restaurants can't do large events like a catering company can so this idea is great for small weddings.
7. Vegetarian or Vegan Wedding Menu
Let's face it, meat costs more than vegetables. That's why it makes sense to have some or all of your menu vegetarian or vegan-focused if you want to spend less on catering. Find a vegetarian or vegan caterer to craft a tasty menu, leave guests full and saves you money.
8. Artisinal Appetizer Trays
Many grocery stores have appetizers like cheese plates, mini sandwiches, dips and more prepared and ready-to-serve. These low-cost choices will put less strain on your wallet and help you feed guests during cocktail hour. All you have to do is add eye-catching platters and decor to elevate them. Alternatively, if you'd rather leave cocktail hour to the pros, these affordable platters work great as snacks to munch on in the morning while you and the crew get ready.
9. Pasta Station
You can get really creative with a pasta station while still being affordable and delicious. Have guests build their own plate from a selection of sauces and toppings or ask your catering team to take guests' orders and create their dream pasta dish in front of them.
10. Brunch
Depending on how extravagant a couple wants it, a reception or postwedding brunch is one of the best plated or buffet wedding food ideas on a budget. Since a brunch wedding reception usually doesn't happen during the evening, you can save money by choosing an earlier timeline.
11. Slider Station
Sliders are the perfect inexpensive wedding appetizers for those who want to serve guests something heartier than finger sandwiches. We recommended having multiple toppings and sauces at your station so guests can choose their own adventure and be happy with the result.
12. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Tomato Soup
Photo: Summer Leigha Photography
A grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup are some of the most common winter wedding food ideas on a budget. It's a classic pairing that guests of all ages will enjoy, can be elevated with different cheeses, breads and spices and doesn't cost a fortune to make.
13. S'mores Station
Photo: Heather Waraksa
Speaking of classics everyone loves, why not have a s'mores station at your wedding? Perfect for couples having an outdoor wedding or reception, s'mores are a simple wedding food idea on a budget that no one should pass up. Using only three ingredients, you can bring guests back to their childhoods and have a wedding dessert that pleases the taste buds.
14. Sheet Cake
Photo: Melissa Jordan Photography
,Caterer: The Cake Lady
We love that wedding sheet cakes are rising in popularity. If you want this confection to be your sole treat, it can be inexpensive compared to a multitier cake depending on its size and decoration. It can also be cost-effective to have a small cake for you and your partner to cut and serve a plain (but still delectable) sheet cake for your guests.
15. Cookies
Similar to sheet cakes, wedding cookies can be more affordable than a multitier cake depending on how intricate the decorations are, the size and the amount needed. We suggest picking simple cookie flavors, like chocolate chip, peanut butter and oatmeal raisin, to have a lower dessert bill.
16. Candy Bar
Photo: Justin & Mary
A wedding candy bar can be a fun sweet treat that doesn't cost a ton, especially if you buy in bulk. Remember to be conscious of guests' allergies and get creative with putting the candy in different colored vessels.
How to Save Money on Wedding Food
"Affordable wedding catering is about finding the perfect balance between cost and experience. It's important for couples to remember a great meal doesn't have to be extravagant. Sometimes, simplicity, thoughtful presentation and great service can create the most memorable experiences for guests," says Bill Hansen, CEO of Bill Hansen Catering with 55 years of catering experience. Keeping that in mind, let's break down what steps you need to take to achieve your low-cost catering goal.
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Think about this before booking your venue.
"Inquire about the kitchen setup when looking at venues. You can save on wedding catering by renting a venue that has a built-in kitchen so your caterer doesn't need to bring and build their own kitchen setup and equipment," Meg Walker, founder of Made by Meg Catering and the operator of La Venta Inn, says.
Learn what's considered "affordable" wedding catering.
Walker believes there are two types of catering and shares with us what they are. "The first is at a restaurant where the entire team is on-site and you aren't bringing a new company to a different location, and the second is when you have a caterer to your venue. If you're going to a location with a full-time staff, something affordable is what you would expect to pay for a mid-range meal, something between $45–75/head. If you're bringing an entire company to your location where they have to pay for servers and a culinary team and get the equipment to your venue, you would expect to see $95–$150/head." Determine your budget, research what the average cost of catering is at your wedding location and make a list of your potential caterers' costs. Doing those things will put you in the right place to decide what's affordable for your situation.
Remember, simplicity is key.
Unless you're dying to, there's no need to impress your guests with five courses, four entrée options, labor-intensive dishes and expensive ingredients no one can pronounce. Hansen believes a simple and limited menu "that highlights a few standout dishes rather than offering an extensive variety" is best for to-be-weds on a tight catering budget.
Walker puts in her thoughts as well. "Go for three amazing appetizers instead of five. I think three is the minimum for a cocktail hour because you can't get away with less without disappointing guests. Late-night snacks aren't essential for everyone and some people do leave after the cake is served so you don't need late-night service for your full guest list."
But don't cut corners and live with regrets.
"Couples will regret not having enough food for their guests. When the guests ask the servers if there's anything additional coming out of the kitchen, it's embarrassing. Don't put a bunch of appetizer stations together thinking you've made dinner. People expect a full meal to be at a wedding reception," Walker says. Hansen adds, "Couples may also regret skimping on service staff, which can lead to long lines or slow service, which affects their guests' experience."
Don't be afraid to speak honestly with your caterer.
"Write a list of your non-negotiables. Do you want to have high-quality food, a specific nostalgic cuisine, top-tier service, a specific style such as live-action cooking stations or do you just want to feed the masses as quickly as possible to get them on the dance floor? Once you have this list, compare the information from the variety of caterers you've received quotes from and proceed accordingly," Walker says. Hansen says you can also review a caterer's quote and "identify any areas where your caterer might scale back without sacrificing quality. Discuss to see if there are alternative menu options or service styles that could be more budget-friendly." If you don't know how to have that conversation speak to your wedding planner, who can definitely give you the right verbiage and guidance for the conversation.
Find a caterer in your budget.
According to The Knot 2024 Couples Finance and Budgeting Study, catering is the third most important wedding item both partners prioritized while doing their wedding budget breakdown. With that said, you and your partner be on the same page about both your wants and needs and other wedding details before contacting caterers so you can go in as a solid front. "When you are inquiring with caterers, include your full event timeline, the exact venue you're going to have your celebration and every course you want to serve from cocktail hour to dessert," Walker says. Once you do this, Walker suggests one of the questions to ask a caterer up front is what fees are involved, including the wedding cake-cutting fee, tax and service charges.
Before finalizing your caterer, Elizabeth Silverman, passionate foodie and founder of Lovables Catering & Kitchen, advises couples to not settle for someone they don't connect with. "Get three bids from comparable caterers. Sit down with them and tell them your vision of how your day will go. Then figure out who you think you'll work with best, even if they aren't the least expensive. Your peace of mind is worth every penny."
Don't know how to start creating your wedding budget? Try The Knot Budgeter to get you and your partner on track for a memorable and affordable wedding.
Your wedding venue can determine your catering.
Silverman says two places promote an inexpensive wedding menu. "A backyard wedding because you don't have to pay a venue fee and an elopement or small, private wedding. You can go on your honeymoon and then come back and have a party that's less expensive than a 'wedding reception.'" Remember, the more low-key your affair, the less money you'll have to spend.
Have your wedding at an earlier in the day.
Guess what? You'll save money by hosting a morning or afternoon wedding reception since you're choosing a less sought-after time to party. Also, hosting your guests at a time when they're not expecting a full, plated meal means at one, two or even three p.m. you can have a tea reception. Begin by three or four p.m. and serve tea with bite-size eats or have a morning ceremony followed by a brunch reception.
Choose Sunday or weekday for your wedding.
If you're open to it, getting married on a Friday or Sunday is pretty much guaranteed to save you money on all vendor fronts, from the venue to the catering. These days are the cheapest days of the week to get married compared to Saturdays. Since these days of the week are lower in demand, vendors tend to charge less for their services.
Please note: The Knot and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, financial or tax advice and should not be used as such. You should always consult with your financial and tax advisors about your specific circumstances. This information contained herein is not necessarily exhaustive, complete, accurate or up to date and we undertake no responsibility to update. In addition, we do not take responsibility for information contained in any external links, over which we have no control.
