| Low Cost Catering
Service |
| Most people plans to spend less financially in their special celebrations or parties in this contemporary time because of high-priced costs of living and additional taxes. However, they still want to celebrate it to thank for their blessings and to prepare food for their guests or to share it with their loved ones. The budget intended for the catering services should be planned according to the needs and numbers of attendees because the expenses are costly especially in wedding occasions. We want to be practical and at the same time, to save money and to stretch our resources at hand. In any occasions, Caterers must be flexible to follow the wishes of their clients. The goal of this article is to help individuals to search for a better way to do this. You can find a several solutions to your problems by reading the contents below. |
First Consideration:
We must bear in mind that the time of your event plays an important role in the type of menu that you are planning. Your guests will expect different types and amounts of food depending on the time of the day of your affair. General Meal Times: |
| Breakfast |
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. |
| Brunch |
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
| Lunch |
12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
| High Tea/Snacks |
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Dinner/Cocktails |
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| Passed or Stationary Hors d'oeuvres |
8 p.m. and later |
| Dessert |
9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. |
|
Second
Consideration:
If you cannot afford a fully catered event here are some low-cost party ideas. Do not forget to serve beverages and wedding cake if you are getting married. Even the simplest of foods can appear special when presented with flair. In addition, time of year and the corresponding temperatures should be a large factor in menu planning. Generally, buffets are cheaper than sit-down meals because the caterer has to provide less waitstaff. |
A
Tea Reception
A tea reception is inexpensive and it should be held between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tea and coffee is served with a variety of "tea sandwiches" also known as "dainties." The crusts are cut-off of these small sandwiches. Tarts, scones, and pastries may be served, as well. Make sure that you add "Tea Reception Following Ceremony" on your wedding invitations. |
A
Salad Luncheon/Reception
A salad luncheon reception is wonderful if your wedding is
late morning. In addition, this type of meal is cheaper than
a sit-down meal or buffet. Offer a wide selection of salads
such various pasta salads, potato, rice salads, Chinese salads,
coleslaw, fruit salads, gelatins with fruit, and green salads.
Provide a few salad dressings, fruits, and breads. Include
"Salad Reception Following Ceremony" in your invitation. |
Hors
d'oeuvres Reception or Deli/Party Trays Reception
This type of reception/event is appropriate between 11 a.m.
and 5 p.m. or after an evening wedding. Provide light finger
foods such as chips and dips, fruit and vegetable platters,
cheeses, and crackers. Write "Light Hors d'oeuvres Reception
Following Ceremony" on the invitations. If you would
like to include more substantial foods that are more filling
include meat and cheese trays, shrimp cocktails, oysters,
egg rolls, sausages, chicken wings, and tea sandwiches. Include
"Hors d'oeuvres Reception Following Ceremony" if
you are serving appetizers with meats. |
Hors
d'oeuvres and Cocktail Reception
This type of reception or party is similar to the one above
in regards to time and menus. However, you are serving hors
d'oeuvres, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages. Include
"Hors d'oeuvres and Cocktail Reception Following Ceremony"
on your invitations. Request your caterer to include bartending
staff. |
Decadent
Dessert Reception or Dessert Party
This type of reception is suitable between 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
or after an evening wedding. Serve an extensive assortment
of rich desserts such as cheese cakes, tarts, tortes, cookies,
pies, cakes, pastries, cobblers, biscotti, ice cream, sundaes,
and candies. Serve coffee, tea, and other beverages. Add "Dessert
Reception Following Ceremony" to your invitations. |
A
Simple Cake and Punch Reception
You can "Let them eat cake" as long as your event
is not during a normal mealtime. Have a simple but elegant
cake and punch reception. It must be planned for the mid morning,
for the mid afternoon, or for after an evening wedding. In
addition, you may include some candies, cookies, and nuts
to the menu. Be certain to include "Cake and Punch Reception
Following Ceremony." This will inform the guests ahead
of time not to expect a full meal. |
Other
Cost Considerations Location/Rental Equipment
Does the site include tables or chairs or do you have to rent them? Do not forget that you may need to rent tents, linens, and kitchen facilities. You may cut costs by using paper and plastic goods instead of glassware, china plates, cloth napkins, and silverware. |
Waitstaff/Duration
of the Event
How long is the event? If the event runs over you may have
to pay overtime charges. How long do you have the reception
site/facilities for? Does the time of the rental of the site
and the waitstaff include the time of the set-up and clean
up? Ask your caterer to start cleaning up while your guests
are still there. If you cannot afford waitstaff consider ordering
drop-off food or self-serve buffet food. Or you can have your
friends pick up some deli trays or take out food and set up
the food with their assistance. |
Excerpts from:
Low Cost Catering Ideas written by Frances King
http://www.foreverwed1.com/articles/cater/458541a.html |
| More of the
Cost-Cutting Catering Services |
| You will continue to save more with practical
advices by following Catering Money Saving Tips below: |
| 1. Be careful on
how many hors d'oeuvres you order. If you are doing passed hors
d'oeuvres - four different varieties is usually sufficient. |
| 2. When selecting
your menu, be careful of all the "extras" that the
catering manager may suggest. When everything sounds so delicious,
it's easy to get carried away and so does your catering bill! |
| 3. Have your caterer
prepare just your main dishes. Have friends and family prepare
appetizers, side dishes, bread, and salad. Many caterers will
only allow this at a reception held in your home. |
| 4. 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. |
| 5. 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. |
| 6. 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. |
| 7. Don't assume
that a buffet or food stations is less expensive than a sit
down dinner. Talk with your caterer. Remember, it depends more
on the type of food you serve that determines the price |
| 8. 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. |
| 9. Choose simple
white table linens instead of a fancy pattern or an overlay
(one table cloth over another). If you want color and pattern,
you can add plenty with your table centerpiece. |
| Excerpts from http://www.foreverwed1.com/articles/cater/01.htm |
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