Working With A Wedding Caterer
On A Tight Budget
By guest authors and expert wedding caterers
Sally Harrison & Suke Wibaut
We've all heard the news, credit crunch, banks in crisis, doom and gloom, but you're getting married and it's going to be great! One of the biggest expenses is the food and the thought of doing it yourself can be pretty daunting.
The alternative is to use a wedding caterer. Try to choose a privately run local business as they tend not to be so restricted by their overheads and can be more flexible. Make sure they are registered with the environmental health authority, are properly insured and have been in business for a number of years.
Using a wedding caterer even when on a budget will give you access to their experience of organising the smooth running of your special day. They're usually adept at dealing with problems that may arise, often nothing to do with the catering itself, for example, wobbly cakes, running repairs on dresses, wasp stings – the list is endless!
From your first contact with your wedding caterer explain you are working to a specific budget and would they be able to work to these figures, if they aren't then move on and find someone who will. Ask for sample menus and if you have ideas of your own, see if they would be prepared to work with you.
Having a good relationship with your caterer is really important, feeling comfortable that your day will be managed in a professional but friendly fashion is the key.
A word to the wise, make sure they prepare and cook their food using fresh ingredients. How disappointing it would be if, on the day your food has emerged from a deep fat fryer straight from the frozen food counter at your local cash and carry.
If you're looking for ideas on how far your budget might stretch, here are three budgets with examples of what you could expect. Remember these are for the food only unless specified.
£5.00 per person
'Impossible' you may say, but surprisingly the less money you have the more imaginative you become and with a helpful caterer it can be achieved. Consider:
- Dainty sandwiches, pretty cakes and scones and cream.
- One pot hot dishes such as cottage pie, sausage and mash or a hearty soup with crusty bread for a winter wedding.
- Lasagne or chilli con carne with garlic ciabatta and a crisp green salad.
£15.00 per person
Now your choices become more varied and could include:
- Finger buffets, perhaps choose a theme, 1970's with a Black Forest Gateau as a wedding cake.
- Hot and cold buffets two courses with crockery etc included in the price.
- A ‘Victorian’ style picnic with poached chicken in a tarragon sauce, breaded ham, cucumber sandwiches, baby scones and delicious trifle all washed down with homemade lemonade.
- A spit-roast pig for a minimum of 50 people, (make sure it is cooked on site and not reheated). Served with bread rolls, homemade apple sauce, salads and puds.
- A Spanish style meal with tapas and sangria to greet your guests followed by Paella and a creamy sponge wedding cake for pud.
- Blinis topped with caviar, sour cream and smoked salmon served with shots of lemon vodka for a small reception with close friends and family.
£30.00 per person
This amount will give you an almost unlimited choice of menu, including a full three course sit down dinner with an evening buffet.
We are Sally Harrison & Suke Wibaut, both professionally trained cooks and we met in 1990 through our respective businesses in London.
Now based in the Surrey countryside, we run Sally Harrisons Good Food in a friendly fashion. Many of our customers have spanned the years, from an 18th birthday celebration to their wedding day and now christening parties for their children.
We have a lot of fun working together and compliment each others cooking skills, always looking for fresh new ideas for our menus.Our delivery service is proving popular currently for those on a tighter budget but still wanting to entertain in style.
Related articles:
DIY Catering For Your Wedding – Hints and Tips
Tips For Cutting Your Catering Costs
Got A Catering Question You Need Answering?
Easy Wedding Food For Buffets
Where To Start When Catering Your Own Wedding
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