Decadent, Chocolate Syrup

If you are preparing for your wedding, you are probably surprised by just how much everything costs. You might also assume that wedding catering is going to be very expensive, but it doesn't have to be. If you follow these five tips for saving money on catering for your wedding, you can shave down costs while still serving your guests a wonderful meal.

1. Serve Appetizers Instead

Who says that you have to serve a huge meal at your wedding? Instead, you can try serving plenty of appetizers. They're generally a lot less expensive, but you won't have to pay for as many servers to pass them around to your guests.

2. Opt for Cheaper Cuts of Meat

Although you might be interested in serving lobster and filet mignon at your wedding, doing so might not be very financially feasible. Instead, ask your caterer for cheaper protein options; for example, you might choose to serve chicken or a cheaper cut of beef instead. Talk to your caterer, like Giuseppe's, about your options.

3. Offer Limited Alcohol Options

Even though some people serve unlimited beer, wine, and mixed drinks at weddings, this is a good way to spend a lot of money. If you're looking to shave costs while ensuring that everyone has a good time, consider just serving beer and wine instead. Another option is to serve one or two particular types of cocktails rather than offering a more pricey open bar, or you can limit the number of hours in which the bar is open.

4. Skip the Extra Course

You don't really have to serve a soup, a salad, and an entree before dessert. Consider skipping either the soup or the salad to save a significant amount of money while still ensuring that your guests are full and satisfied. Another extra course that can often be skipped is dessert; if you are providing wedding cake, that is generally enough dessert for most crowds.

5. Offer a Vegetarian Option

Obviously, meat-based entrees are more expensive than vegetarian-friendly dishes. Consider offering a meatless option, such as a tasty pasta dish that is tossed with pasta sauce and fresh vegetables. Not only is this one way to save quite a bit of cash, but it will also help if you have guests who have dietary restrictions.

There are multiple ways that you can cut costs while still serving your guests a delicious and fully satisfying meal.