This question has been asked many times by brides each and every year. I am sure that many brides ask the question “should count my wedding vendors in the head count for the meal?” A true professional will not expect it, but will definitely appreciate the gesture.

Something to keep in mind, it that your wedding photographer and DJ will be spending upwards of 10 hours just on preparation and services for your wedding day. This means that hey might be running low on energy if they are not able to get something into their stomachs. Some wedding companies will have a stipulation in their contract that states they must be fed while attending the reception. Not everyone should be considered for the seating during the dinner. A majority of brides will fix this problem by having a vendor table and inviting their photographer, DJ, videographer, wedding planner to have a seat at it. This also works well, because then all these people will have something in common to easily talk about. …click here to read more

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Need inspiring ideas to take your wedding reception beyond the ordinary? When it comes to building a menu that will excite and entice, couples are steering away from the traditional chicken-and-beef cliché and venturing towards something more contemporary and memorable. You are only limited by your imagination. Do something daring, and feature a reception menu that will and tantalize all the senses. Here is a list of the hottest menu ideas and catering trends:

Go Ethnic

Gain inspiration from our friends across the border or overseas, and feature an ethnic menu. It’s a great opportunity to honor your heritage or just an excuse to serve something fun. Consider an Italian pasta station or a Chinese wok station. How about a build-your-own taco bar? Or take your guests on a world tour, and serve a little bit of everything.

Comfort Food Goes Chic

Pay homage to your family upbringing and serve comfort foods, straight up with a chic twist. Everyone loves macaroni and cheese; add some pizza to an old favorite by adding gruyere and fontina cheeses. Stuff mini sirloin hamburgers with blue cheese and top them with caramelized onions. Comfort foods can also be served family-style, setting a relaxed and festive mood for the wedding reception.

Reflect a Theme

Tie it all together, and choose your reception menu based on the season, theme or color of your wedding. Feature apple-maple glazed chicken with pumpkin cheesecake during the fall, or try lemon grilled salmon with a steamed fresh vegetable medley during the summer. Stocking a buffet with all food from the same family on the color wheel can make for a fascinating presentation (albeit, a little rough on your caterer). One of our favorite menu ideas – connect your guests to the wedding celebration and recreate your first meal has a couple or revolve your cuisine around your honeymoon destination.

Buzz on Bars

They’re not just for drinks anymore…Take your guests on a culinary journey of the senses with strategically placed food stations. Dynamic bars with bite sized samples allow guests to mingle and savor a number of flavors. So when you think catering – think tiny and scattered.

Cocktails & Appetizers

Looking to break the traditional five course mold? Base your entire wedding reception on cocktails and appetizers. This catering style allows for more variety and affords ample opportunity for creative presentation ideas. Serve a signature drink at a customized drink station. Feature shrimp and grits martinis. You’re only limited by your imagination. The constant flow of stimulating culinary works of art and eye-catching spirits creates an intimate social atmosphere for your guests.

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Even low budget weddings can take a huge bite out of savings and often end in huge debt obligations.

Planning a wedding yourself not only saves money but, gives that personal touch that provides lasting family memories.

Personal touches like creating your own wedding favors and planning your own reception can be particularly satisfying.

You will take great pride in your accomplishments when planning a low budget wedding. Not only in your creations but in the huge savings you will boast about.

A low budget wedding will have much the same wedding costs as the higher counterparts, but you can save money in each area to stay within your budget.

The only way to avoid the costs is simply not to have a formal wedding. If you’re footing the bill yourself and just can’t see yourself starting your married life with a financial burden, you could always opt for a courthouse ceremony and intimate dinner.

A formal ceremony can then be planned well in advance. A re-taking of wedding vows is common practice today, and it’s a very romantic anniversary date! Consider this if your funds are extremely limited and you will be financing most of the wedding budget.

However, if it breaks your heart to forego the formal ceremony, and you have limited funds, save as much money as possible using low budget wedding ideas. Here’s a real wedding budget saver that can reduce the cost of the wedding reception greatly.

>The Wedding Reception

The reception alone will bust your wedding budget if you’re not careful. Of course, the most obvious way to save money on the reception is to keep it small.

Where you host this grand occasion could make or break you.

Your low budget wedding remedy? Find a reception location that’s free or low cost.

A free location may include, your home, or a friend or family member’s home. A low cost option might include the Church reception hall, the local fire department’s reception room, and club hall rentals. Most will have a kitchen area for preparing and serving food.

Sometimes you will even find a local restaurant that specializes in low budget wedding receptions. These will likely offer a package for the reception which may include dinner and limited beverage with the rental of restaurant space or banquet rooms. Check hotels in your area for banquet rooms as well. Some may rent the banquet room alone and/or offer reception packages as an option.

Leave no stone unturned in your search! You may happen upon a gem of a deal that will save you a lot of money. Ask around. Get recommendations from friends and family. Do a local search on the internet. We have several plantations in our area who offer wedding reception packages. These are elegant locations and are usually competitively priced; including options for the low budget wedding.

Make a list or chart to record all your findings. Record not only price but services available, and packages available. Then you can compare where you will get the most for your money.

For instance, you may be able to rent a space for a really cheap rate and hire outside catering for the dinner. But, if you find a location that costs more but will offer you a package that includes the catering, it may be the better deal in the long run.

The one big exception to this scenario is if you opt for a potluck reception. Many guests may be pleased, if not relieved, to be given the choice to bring a reception dish in place of a wedding gift. You will find that low budget reception packages usually come with a low budget menu as well. If you choose this option, you will save greatly on catering expenses. I am certain your guests will be more pleased with the menu selections. This would be your best low budget wedding option and will save the most money.

The Potluck Reception

Don’t be shy to pursue this potluck reception idea. It is truly the traditional way to celebrate. And, it is truly the number one low budget wedding option.

Today’s weddings are so commercialized. You will learn that caterers offer very limited menus to very limited budgets! Guests will likely be very pleased and welcome the idea of a potluck reception.

If you are shy about approaching this option you can simply call it an “Old Time Traditional Wedding Celebration” The potluck dinner will suit this theme quite naturally and no-one will even question it!

You may even want to pick an “Old Time” theme for your decorating and favors. This will further incorporate the idea of an old time tradition theme. Perhaps a 50’s theme or a 20’s theme. These are both popular old time themes.

Simply slip an added note with the invite, or on the invite, to give guests this option. For example the note might read…

Our reception will be an “Old Time Traditional Celebration” with a potluck dinner. ____ Please check here if you would like to bring a dish for the reception in place of a wedding gift. Call with dish suggestions please.

Have them call to get or offer suggestions on a dish so you have control over the menu. No one is obligated to participate, but I’m sure you will be surprised at how many guests will opt for this.

You and your guest will be equally surprised at the great variety and quality of the dishes provided. Guests will want to bring only their best recipes to a grand occasion such as a wedding reception!

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