Be careful on how many hors d'oeuvres you order. Do you
really need eight different varieties? You'd be surprised - some caterers will suggest this!
If you are doing passed hors d'oeuvres - four different varieties is usually sufficient.
When selecting your menu, be careful of all the
"extras" that the catering manger may suggest...such as the five course
dinner...soup and salad... two types of dessert and wedding cake! When everything sounds so
delicious, it's easy to get carried away and so does your catering bill!
Have your caterer prepare just your main dishes and have
friends and family prepare appetizers, side dishes, bread, and salad. Many caterers will only
allow this at a reception held in your home.
If you're trying to keep costs low, stay away from certain
foods… like shrimp, salmon, lobster and beef tenderloin. If you have your heart set on
one of these dishes -- incorporate it not an appetizer rather than the main course.
The more labor intensive the food item is to prepare -- the
more it will cost. Think about this when choosing your main course as well as your side dishes
and hors d'oeuvres.
Food stations can offer your guests variety and save you
money. Pasta stations are very economical. Consider other ethnic types of food for your
stations, such as Chinese, Mexican or Indian.
Don’t assume that a buffet or food stations is less
expensive that a sit down dinner. Talk with your caterer. Remember, it depends more on the
type of food you serve that determines the price.
Be sure to ask your caterer about "guaranteed
numbers". Many caterers will quote prices based upon a minimum or "guaranteed"
number of guests. Many base their figures on a minimum of 100 guests. If your final guest
count is less than a hundred, there may be an additional fee.
Choose simple white table linens instead of a fancy pattern
or an overlay (one table cloth over another). White table linens can be rented for about $3-5
a piece and the patterns can be more than twice that amount. If you want color and pattern,
you can add plenty with your table centerpiece.
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