Fortunately, there are several party planning hacks you can use to limit your bar menu to lower costs without being a party pooper. First, limit your wine menu to three house options, for example, red, white, and rose. You could even send out a pre-event email to run a poll on what your guests prefer to drink and only stock up on their choices.

This allows you to buy in bulk rather than stocking a wide range of expensive bottles nobody will drink. Finally, scale your spirit offerings back to one or two signature cocktails.

Set your delicious food up in one or two signposted corners of your venue and let people help themselves. It gives your event a more relaxed atmosphere and often leads to jovial conversation and mingling while guests stand around the stations. To make it more fun, you can group foods together so that each station offers a different cuisine or type of meal.

This is also really helpful for crowd control as it spreads people throughout the venue. But an easy way to elevate your dishes is to add some fresh and succulent seasonal ingredients, like fresh fruit or aromatic herbs.

You can add certain herbs to your signature cocktails, cook inexpensive dishes like fries in a specialty oil, or serve up autumnal staples like pumpkin or parsnips rather than broccoli and mash.

That adds a seasonal element to your event , making it more fun and quirky. If you collaborate with local farmers, you may be able to buy seasonal ingredients in bulk.

Instead of setting up a huge hearty meal for your guests, you can set up grazing tables filled with many smaller snacks. This eliminates the need for catering staff or plated dinners and gives your event a casual and homey feel.

For lessons on how to do it, look at event creators like Grin and Graze It and their recent Holiday Charcuterie Workshop. They put together unique and exciting grazing tables with their guests, creating gorgeous event centerpieces at the same time.

There are so many affordable catering ideas for you to choose from. Enzo Carletti is a public relations and marketing specialist with a decade of experience in event management, hospitality, and live music production.

For Canadian Music Week and NXNE, he managed venues, volunteers and production logistics for a variety of artists and festival events. Having begun his career as a full-time chef, in his spare time, Enzo enjoys hosting culinary events and educating foodies on agriculture.

Home Affordable Catering Ideas for Event Planners on A Budget. Event management. by Enzo Carletti Jan 2 So having great food is a must. Table of contents 1. Rent out food trucks 2.

Set up a buffet 3. Make sure your guest numbers are precise 4. Choose a cost-effective cuisine for your menu 5. Portion your food like a sushi master 6. Introduce food in windows 7. Scale back the drinks menu at your open bar 8. Set up self-serve stations 9. Use seasonal ingredients to glow up cheaper dishes To help you get started, here are 10 pro tips proven to make catering costs more affordable.

Rent out food trucks Hiring food trucks is one of the easiest ways to feed a large crowd on a tight catering budget. View this post on Instagram. Ready to start planning your next event? Click To Tweet.

Everyone knows meat is expensive. The good news is there are plenty of ways to create a classy and enjoyable menu based on vegetables, regardless of the event type. For example, these vegetarian wedding menu ideas look absolutely stunning. Want to make it fancier? Include a larger quantity of affordable, heavier snacks like mini grilled cheese sandwiches, tortellini and sauce cups, or even items like spinach puffs.

This tip is also great for if you have a lot of children or grown up picky eaters or want to save on wait staff expenses. Which means that a slightly smaller plate might subconsciously discourage them from wasting food or taking too much of your carefully alloted dishes.

Finally, here are other ways to keep event catering costs down. Soups, spruced up canned goods, and all manner of delectable roasted creations combat common colds and ward off overspending on event food. Check out these light, refreshing, and floral ideas for some spring event food and beverage inspiration.

Next, be sure to brush up on your catering preparation plan. Then, get unique budget-friendly centerpiece ideas or summer event decor ideas. The cheapest food to cater is any rice or noodle-based cultural cuisine.

Pizza is also a reliably cheap option. Catering costs can vary widely depending on cuisine, location, and level of service.

Change the Time of the Event Go Vegetarian Offer Cheap Food Options

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Budget-Friendly Catering - Choose Smaller Plates Change the Time of the Event Go Vegetarian Offer Cheap Food Options

Beef, chicken, shrimp and burgers are examples of more affordable protein options that are just as mouthwatering as an expensive steak. Serving some vegetarian options also caters to a more diverse crowd and helps keep costs low.

Some catering businesses charge by the hour, especially if servers are included. For example, you can save costs by trimming your four-hour corporate lunch to two hours. Serving alcohol — such as via an open bar — can increase your catering price.

If you want to offer alcohol to your guests but are looking to keep catering costs low, consider serving only wine and beer. Limiting alcohol to wine and beer can help you keep costs under control. When it comes to all beverages, you might just want to supply your own.

Most guests will be happy with simple soft drinks, water and assorted teas! When catering to large groups , the time of day can also influence your bill. Depending on the caterer you choose, you might find that their dinnertime offerings are pricier than their daytime menus.

Breakfast and lunch options are generally cheaper than dinner. Lighter fares or finger foods can also be more affordable than a full-course meal, and these snacky options are perfect for happy hour events. Most caterers also have seasonal menus, which may include more affordable in-season items.

Affordable meals can make just as much of an impression as pricier options. Here are our top recommendations for the cheapest catering options.

Breakfast foods tend to be less expensive than dinner menu items. For instance, catering a party with a breakfast buffet, yogurt bar and fresh fruit may help you save on costs compared to a steak and shrimp plated dinner. A corporate gathering where everyone eats scrambled eggs and cheesy grits or a daytime wedding with waffles on the menu will keep people talking.

Brunch is perfect for events like bridal showers , baby showers, graduation parties, birthday parties and much more. As the name suggests, a typical brunch menu includes breakfast and lunch foods that your guests can enjoy and that are relatively easy to prepare. Eggs, bacon, fruit, biscuits, oatmeal, scones, sandwiches and bakery goods are just some of the options you can have at your event.

Serving brunch also creates a more casual and relaxed atmosphere. A top concern with catering for any event is food waste. Boxed lunches are perfect for work meetings or special events where employees can enjoy their meals together and feel more productive.

This is one of the best cheap lunch catering ideas because it offers a personalization solution. Each person can choose from a limited menu or mix and match items to get exactly what they want. Usually, sides and desserts are the same for everyone, but your guests can choose from various flavorful entrees that meet their tastes and dietary restrictions.

This option removes the issues of food waste while ensuring everyone gets to choose from a handful of items. Catering delectable Southern dishes can make any event feel more personable and inviting.

This menu choice could be perfect for your backyard wedding or family reunion over the holidays. Some common Southern BBQ items include:. You can find many caterers who offer BBQ options and work with them to find the perfect menu that fits your needs.

Though this option is cheaper, it will leave your guests feeling just as satisfied. Similar to a buffet, a soup and salad bar is one of the most budget-friendly catering options out there. Generally, meats and specialty items tend to be more expensive. Sticking to simpler foods like salad and soup can prevent you from overspending while providing plenty of choice.

Your guests can choose from several classic mouthwatering soups, such as:. After that, they can create a salad of their choice from a limited menu.

This type of catering is perfect for a business lunch or early morning meeting that is shorter in duration or falls outside of regular meal times. This build-your-own menu gives guests just what they need to feel full and satisfied without needing a three-course meal.

Catering finger foods like sandwiches, pigs in a blanket and buffalo chicken dip is a great way to offer plenty of variety on a budget. Like the other casual options we mentioned, having a spread of finger foods also makes it easier for guests to mingle at your event without being tied to a table.

With finger foods, you promote more socialization and engagement while providing a large selection of delicious options. Finger foods can be well-suited for large sports gatherings , birthday parties, pool parties or even cocktail hour at your wedding. Other examples of finger foods might include sliders, meatballs, spring rolls, crab cakes and hummus.

Not all events necessarily require a sit-down formal dinner. While charcuterie boards are certainly popular and delicious, having a wide variety of meats may be a bit more expensive. Not to mention, menus heavily relying on charcuterie meat can exclude vegetarian or vegan guests.

With a lighter afternoon tea menu, you can save money on the cured meats. For example, your social event menu could include a pimento cheese tea sandwich, cheese and crackers, or chicken salad croissants.

Like finger foods and cheese boards, catering assorted snack items can also be a cost-effective way of feeding your guests. Some caterers offer sides or snack options that you can pick and choose from to create a simple lunch.

If you want more of an afternoon appetizer theme, combining several snack items can give you a flavorful yet cheaper menu. Grilled items like burgers, hot dogs, and other summer favorites are great affordable options for catering events. BBQ provides a fun atmosphere and allows guests to choose their preferred grilled items, making it a popular choice for casual events and family gatherings.

Budget-friendly ethnic cuisine options like Mexican, Indian, Thai, or Chinese dishes can provide a unique and affordable catering experience for your event. Chicken and vegetarian dishes are great cost-effective options when considering how much food per person to serve at a catering event.

A taco bar with delicious ground beef, succulent shredded chicken, flavorful refried beans, crunchy chips, zesty salsa, and a variety of toppings is an excellent choice for an affordable wedding budget.

Going vegetarian is another fantastic way to save money and provide a complete meal for your guests. Offering a variety of ethnic cuisine dishes allows you to cater to diverse tastes and preferences while staying within budget.

These options not only provide an exciting dining experience, but also allow you to showcase your creativity and cultural appreciation. Food trucks offer a variety of street foods and are a cost-effective, creative, and mobile option for catering events, providing a unique and fun experience for guests.

Explore the opportunity to reduce the menu to only a few items rather than the full list to help reduce the cost of hiring a food truck.

A food truck can serve a menu of amazing food, such as tacos, ice cream, hot dogs, burgers, and potato salad. The mobility and convenience of food trucks make them an excellent choice for outdoor events and venues with limited space.

Support a local catering setup by using food trucks and watch yourself save money when using these cheap catering ideas.

Sharing large platters of yummy food like roasted chicken or lasagna is a great way to bond with family and friends. This creates an interactive dining experience while saving money on catering.

Family-style meals offer an engaging dining experience while being cost-effective for catering. Caterers can set up the room and offer serving tips upon delivery. Then your team can take over for self-serve. This is one of the cheap catering ideas to reduce labor costs and catering prices.

Hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza, quiche, barbecue, taco bars, and pasta are all great classic comfort food options for generous servings. It also comes in handy when considering how much food per person to serve at an event.

Family-style meals encourage guests to share and interact with one another, making them a perfect option for events that prioritize socializing and bonding. Plus, you can forego wait staff and the large expense that may come with it! Perfect for a more relaxed event or meal. Potlucks are an affordable and engaging catering option where guests contribute their own dishes to share.

Having a few different people bring their favorite meals or sides in a crockpot is sure to be a delicious hit while also not breaking your bank.

Potlucks are both an economical catering option and affordable, yet engaging catering option that is very budget-friendly. Everyone is contributing! The collaborative nature of a potluck allows guests to showcase their culinary talents. It also provides a diverse range of dishes for everyone to enjoy.

While potlucks may require a bit more coordination and communication, the end result is a unique and memorable dining experience. This option allows guests to connect over their shared love of food. Any type of event can be creatively transformed into a delightful brunch, including a wedding reception.

Brunch catering is an exciting catering option that offers a delicious variety of breakfast and lunch items. Some of the most delightful brunch catering ideas include buffet style pancakes, waffles, fresh berries, grapefruits, bananas, colorful fruit trays, delectable tea cakes, yogurt bars, and scrumptious pastries.

Your picky eaters are sure to enjoy this versatile options. Use different food stations, mixing between breakfast foods and lunch foods, and keep everyone happy. Brunch is a flexible catering option that provides breakfast and lunch items, is customizable to your wedding menu preferences, and encourages friendly conversation among guests.

By having a relaxed atmosphere and the versatility of brunch, guests can enjoy a variety of dishes that cater to their individual tastes and preferences while also being cheap catering options.

Make it buffet style for the ultimate versatile catering option and utilize budget friendly ingredients! Serve a variety of sweet treats such as cookies, cakes, and fruit cups as an affordable, easy-to-handle, and versatile dessert option for any event.

Desserts are a great economical choice, and can be easily prepared in large quantities to serve a large number of people, costing less money while being just as yummy. Offering more variety of desserts can help save money by encouraging people to enjoy smaller bites and be just as satisfied, helping you determine how much food to serve per person.

Include a veggie tray for a nutritious touch for the healthy eaters at a dessert party. Desserts add the perfect finish to a well-prepared meal. They can also be the perfect topic for conversation during dinner.

These meals can be customized to suit personal dietary needs, such as those who follow a gluten-free or vegan diet. With a wide range of sweet treats to choose from, your guests will be sure to have a memorable and fun experience.

Serve soups, stews, and salads as a main dish or side as an excellent, budget-friendly, and easily-customizable cheap catering idea. Baked potato bars, soup bars, and pasta bars — all sure to be a hit at a wedding reception.

Plated meals are the most luxurious serving style for weddings and can be very expensive. Buffet style meals are a cheap catering alternative to feed a large number of people and they give your guests the freedom to choose their preferred dishes.

Thus, helping you manage your wedding budget! Keep it fun while keeping costs low. Soups and salads provide a healthy alternative to heavier main courses. These food options are a great way to create a meal for a wide range of tastes and preferences.

Use this catering idea at your next event! When knowing how many people will be at your event, you can better plan your menu and your budget. Appetizer spreads are a cheap, versatile, and easy-to-handle option to serve small bite-sized dishes to guests before the main course.

Usually at less cost than other dishes, appetizer spreads can be prepared in large quantities, and can be tailored to meet dietary restrictions or preferences. You can also consider vegetables platters with dips or cheese and cracker trays, classic appetizers that are sure to be a hit with your guests.

With an array of appetizers available, your guests can sample different flavors and find their favorites. Make your next event a truly memorable experience for all different tastes.

Take a look at our 4 Mouth-Watering Appetizers for your Next Catering Event to get your creative juices flowing! Create the perfect menu by checking out food ideas for event catering. By exploring these 10 budget-friendly catering ideas, you can provide a delicious and satisfying experience for your guests without breaking the bank.

Remember, the key to hosting a successful event lies in creativity, adaptability, and, of course, delicious food. So why not step out of the box and experiment with these effective money-saving catering options? Your guests will appreciate the unique experience, and your wallet will thank you too.

Choose cost-effective menu items. While you might have your heart set on serving a particular cuisine for your big event, switching up your menu Change the Time of the Event Budget Meals · Budget Recipes · Frugal Meals · Freezer Meals · Meals For A See Ree's list of favorite freezer-friendly recipes: Budget-Friendly Catering

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