Planning A Wedding on a Small Budget - Reception
Planning for The Cake and Reception without Going over Budget
Jun 6, 2009
After the vows are taken and rings are exchanged, it's time for the wedding reception. After breaking down the reception, the food and the cake can be two of the biggest expenses after the reception hall itself. Keeping in mind a couple's budget, it is possible to plan a great reception without spending an extravagant amount of money.
Pick a LocationDecide on a venue for the reception. If the couple knows that they want an indoor reception, keep in mind local organizations that have halls that family members or the bride or groom may be members of and could have access to for a discounted price. Churches may also have fellowship halls that can be rented as a package when reserving the church.
If an outdoor reception is in order, get quotes on renting tables, chairs, and possibly tents unless someone has access to enough to seat all of the wedding guests and the bridal party. It is also important to have a rain alternative in mind, just to be safe.
Reception DinnerIf the reception is indoors, ask the owners of the venue if catering services are available and at what cost. Some venues have rules about bringing in outside catering services and may charge an additional fee if their catering staff isn't used. Check before booking the locaiton.
If the reception is outdoors, make the reception a picnic and ask guests to bring a covered dish. Provide a main course, such as chicken, beef, or a vegetarian option, and ask guests to supplement the meal. Not only will this save some money that could be spent on the cake, but it may spark conversations among guests as to who brought what and how to get a recipe.
If using a catering service, keep the number of options simple, but different enough to please everyone. If you know that a majority of the guests will not eat something, then don't put it on the menu. However, keep in mind guests' dietary needs and try to work with them within a budget.
Alcohol is another part of the reception that can quickly become costly. Many venues charge an insurance fee if alcohol is going to be present just to be safe and to cover any possible damages, while others require that you use an approved bartender. If alcohol is a necessity, then consider a cash-only bar, only serving drinks during dinner, or limiting the kinds of alcohol that will be served to avoid thousands of dollars in alcohol-related expenses.
The CakeWhen a wedding reception is mentioned, one of the first things that comes to mind is the cake. Cakes can cost anywhere from a few dollars to a few thousand dollars, so it is important to keep in mind just what the bride and groom want and how much is money there is for the cake.
Before ordering the cake, get estimates from several different bakeries on similar cakes. If a couple is looking for a simple, traditional cake, then go with the bakery that best fits those needs. If an elaborate cake is what a couple is looking for, then consider the bakery's options before placing an order.
If there are going to be a large number of guests at the reception but there isn't a lot of money set aside for the cake, consider ordering a smaller wedding cake to cut and serve and then order decorated cup cakes to help supplement the wedding cake. Cup cakes are often priced by the dozen, so have a count in mind so the order doesn't include the correct number of cup cakes.
Sometimes, bakeries charge an additional fee for cake accessories such as columns in between cake layers and the topper. Craft and party planning stores such as The Flower Factory may have these supplies or other necessities for the reception at a fraction of the cost.
The wedding reception doesn't have to cost a significant poriton of a wedding budget in order to be fun. Keeping in mind available options and doing a little research can save money that may be used elsewhere for the perfect wedding day.
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