Wedding Reception Menu Ideas on a Budget

Everything has to be special when it comes to weddings and wedding receptions, be it invitation cards, wedding gowns, wedding cakes, wedding rings, and of course, the food. After all it is the taste of the food that people will remember whenever they will think of your wedding or wedding reception. Knowing this fact, many people do not compromise on their menu ideas and spend lots of money on the catering and food arrangements. But remember that tasty food need not be costly all the time and costly food may not be tasty every time. Hence, it is essential for you to choose some smart menu that would be delicious as well as light on your pocket so that your guests can relish on the variety of mouth-watering delicacies and remember your wedding forever!

One of the major factor that you must consider while planning reception menu is the time of the day you will hold the reception. The time factor plays a key role in deciding the menu of the reception. This article shares some of the resourceful wedding reception menu ideas on a budget based on the time of the reception party.

Brunch Reception: It is one of the most cost-effective reception parties that can help you save a lot money on food. Being held in the morning as a brunch party you can serve people with variety of light finger foods or snacks that are inexpensive compared to three course meals. All you have to do is present these snacks in an appealing and attractive manner. Given below are following options of snacks that you can serve.

Drinks

• Tea
• Coffee
• Fruit Juices

Snacks

• Bagel
• Smoked salmon
• Omelets
• Breads
• Muffins
• Deviled eggs
• Chips and dip
• Hot dog
• Sweet corn
• Cookies
• Crackers
• Cheese Sticks

Desserts

• Pancake
• Pastries
• Chocolate brownies
• Ice creams

Lunch Reception: Lunch parties or midday parties can also help you save a lot of money. By choosing the traditional menu you can save a lot of money. Though people would expect some heavy meals you can surprise them with delectable dishes which would be filling too. Following are some of the dishes you can serve at midday parties.

Drinks

• Iced Tea
• Mocktails
• Wine

Lunch Dishes

• Sandwiches
• Pasta
• Chicken wedges
• Fried chicken
• Pizza
• Burger
• Fried fish
• Sausages
• Chicken rolls
• Cheese balls
• Different types of salads

Desserts

• Pancake
• Pastries
• Chocolate brownies
• Ice creams

Dinner Reception: Now this is the time where you may have to pay a little extra for food. People generally expect a formal party with three course meal at dinner receptions. But if you choose good appetizers and starters then the main dish can be a little simpler. For example, you can have variety of drinks and starters and limited choices for the main dish, say chicken dishes as chicken is inexpensive and is liked by many people. Given below are some of the options you can choose from.

Drinks

• Cocktails
• Wine
• Champagne
• Fruit Juices

Appetizers

• Different types of soups
• Chicken roll
• Kebab
• Spring rolls
• Cutlets
• Dim sums

Main Dish

• Chicken Pasta Soup
• Roasted Chicken
• Chicken Alfredo
• Chicken Kiev
• Stuffed Chicken Breasts
• Chicken Casserole
• Chicken Parmesan
• Chicken Cordon Bleu
• Barbecue Chicken
• Whole Baked Chicken
• Grilled Chicken

Desserts

• Different Cakes
• Chocolate Brownies with ice cream
• Chocolate Fudge
• Caramel Custard
• Cheesecakes

These were some of the options that can very well fall into your budget. Apart from choosing the menu there are other ways to bring down the cost of the food. First of all decide what kind of sitting arrangement you will provide your guests with, buffet, sit down meals, or you will have specific food stalls. Generally buffet is known to be the most cost-efficient where people can eat whatever they want in an informal manner and the caterer can charge you per plate basis. Another idea of cutting the cost is arranging your own catering. If you are using the catering service of the hotel where you are having the reception, there are chances they would ask you to pay a little extra but if you hire an outside catering you can settle for a good bargain price. Using these tricks you will probably able to save some more money on food.

So, with these wedding reception menu ideas on a budget you can plan a great menu for your own wedding reception and make the event memorable for you and your loved ones!