So you are getting married, you are planning your wedding and your budget is tight, how to do it differently without compromising on how you want your day to be? Well, there are so many options and with catering the options are almost endless. Here are just a few ideas I have come across with my couples being creative, as well as fabulous vendors I have found in my travels as a civil celebrant.
Grazing Platters: This catering option seems to be having another moment after years in the background. Think platters, think wooden boards, think charcuterie board, tapas on a platter if you like. This is an easy way to cater for the masses when you are tight on time, budget or both. Plus, grazing platters are so versatile it is no sweat to cater for dietary requirements. Options include whole tables to individual boxes. What's not to love, especially for elopements and micro-weddings when your ceremony and reception plan is for a couple of merry hours rather than a marathon 8 hour sit down affair. Here are a couple of lovely local vendors I have come across (but not used yet) @boardsbybrenna @premium.balloons.and.catering @deluxegrazing
BYO or Bring An Item: Eloping? Just having a few close friends and family? Keeping costs down? Consider doing a BYO, and take it one step further by asking each guest to bring a specific item for a picnic with enough portions for your guest list. Think of it as a Pot Luck Wedding Picnic or Choose Your Own Adventure Picnic.
Pot Luck Wedding: In lieu of gifts ask guests to bring their favourite dish for the reception. You can even allocate courses to ensure everything is covered with appetisers, mains and dessert/petit four. Consider dietary needs are covered with sufficient options for vegetarians, vegans and specific medical dietary needs such as coeliacs.
Make It Interactive: If you don't have hundreds to feed consider making an element of your catering interactive. Simples ideas start with fondue, raclette and fondue fountains or you can get more adventurous and have a make your own station. Think Sushi, Voulevants, Charcuterie or even Cupcakes or Cookies. You could even have a 'cook together' dinner experience as your reception. If guest numbers are small consider making dinner together guided by a chef in a small intimate kitchen setting before breaking bread together and toasting your nuptials?
There are no hard and fast rules. In fact consider burning anything that says it is a must have, must do or rude not to. One of the things that grates me about the wedding industry is much of the consumption is built on fear of missing out or fear of offending. Don't be bound by tradition. Think about your priority areas, then plan the other elements to be cost effective, relatively stress free and fun. It is your wedding, no rules. The marriage ceremony only requires around 8 sentences to be legal, along with the paperwork so feel free to think outside the box. Bite, nibble or indulge to your delight. Enjoy every forkful and moment of your wedding day.
Happy planning.
