Trying to cut food costs... need help

kelllly55 · September 2010

Hi, we are in desperate need of cutting food costs here. Does anyone have suggestions on how to pull off heavy appetizers rather then a sit down dinner? We still want it to be as formal as possible. Any ideas would help, Thanks!

ellone400 · September 2010

try some of these the heavier the better!

BBQ Baby Back Pork Ribs
Biscuits with Baked Virginal Ham
Brochette Bites

Chicken Empanadas
Chicken Piccata with Lemon, Wine and Crapes on French Rolls
Chicken Tenders
Chicken Wings
Chinese Dumplings w/Plum Sauce
Coconut Chicken Skewers with Citrus Sauce
Egg Rolls w/Dipping Sauce
Fried Mozzarella Sticks w/Pizza Sauce
Ginger Beef Sticks
Grilled Cajun Shrimp
Kielbasa in Honey Glaze
Meat Balls in Mushroom Sauce
Meatballs in Peppercorn Sauce
Meatballs Marinara
Medallion Crab Cakes with Tartar Sauce
Mini Beef Wellington
Miniature Crab Cakes
Miniature Spinach Quiche
Mini-Reuben
Peking Duck Rolls with Plum Sauce
Petite Pizza Pieces
Pork & Vegetable Pot Stickers
Potato Skins
Roast Beef on French Rolls with Mayo, Spicy Mustard and Horseradish
Rumaki
Salmon Cakes w/Dill Sauce
Scallops with Bacon
Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms
Spanakopita
Stuffed Mushrooms
Vegetable Stuffed Mushrooms
Veggie or Chicken Quesadillas

you also could use stations.

tldh · September 2010

Great list Ellone.

We are doing heavy apps for our wedding. The caterers said this is becoming more common for a variety of reasons (cost, people don't mingle when they are sitting down and eating, fits a less formal wedding etc.)

We emphasized that the apps have to replace a full meal. They understood completely. When we told our baker and the owners of the private home we are getting married in about this, they both said there will be a ton of food left over because of how well our caterer supplies a heavy apps reception.

You might want to try posting this question with the name of the catering companies you are looking at (or ask for recommendations) on your local board.

kelllly55 · September 2010

Thanks ladies! I feel better knowing this is becoming more common! And what a great list to try. TLDH: are you omitting a seating chart? What else are you doing to make your reception flow with out a dinner? Thanks!!

Ashes_3 · September 2010

I think doing a seating chart with hor dourves dosen't go well!!!

tldh · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_trying-cut-food-costs-need?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:eb746f7e-3910-4830-8f4f-df203e5fa611Post:faa054cd-915c-475c-92cc-f845ee1f5ec0">Re: Trying to cut food costs... need help</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks ladies! I feel better knowing this is becoming more common! And what a great list to try. TLDH: are you omitting a seating chart? What else are you doing to make your reception flow with out a dinner? Thanks!!
Posted by kelllly55[/QUOTE]

No seating chart. There are only 30 guests. One of the reasons we wanted the heavy apps is because we noticed that at these weddings, people walk around and socialize more. It's just a lot more relaxed. They can also dance when they want instead of at timed intervals. My brother is taking care of herding everyone inside from the garden ceremony to get some food and then doing this again for the cake cutting.

marissa_claire · September 2010

If you ARE going to do the hor dourves option, then that means giving up formality. I think it's a great idea but seating charts, tuxes and full-length BM dresses do not go with this option.

Also with this option, you need to put it on your wedding web site or have your family and bridal party spread the word so that people know to expect this. With that many options people shouldn't go hungry, but I've been to a few receptions with just hor dourves and there weren't many options - and you don't want to fill up on veggies and cheese cubes! Needless to say, we left early to grab a real meal, but if I were you I would just make sure that people know that's what they're walking into.

All that being said, it is a great idea. Sometimes when my FI and I go out to eat we just grab appetizers and graze. I think a lot of people will enjoy it, but just make sure they're aware.

AbbeyS2011 · September 2010

That list is making me really hungry right now....

I am having an afternoon wedding/reception, and we will be serving light apps and cake. We want to keep it laid-back and casual, and just enjoy our day!

kaesha · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_trying-cut-food-costs-need?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:eb746f7e-3910-4830-8f4f-df203e5fa611Post:93186caa-92ea-4af1-b88f-7d4b7cb1f28f">Re: Trying to cut food costs... need help</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>If you ARE going to do the hor dourves option, then that means giving up formality.</strong> I think it's a great idea but seating charts, tuxes and full-length BM dresses do not go with this option. Also with this option, you need to put it on your wedding web site or have your family and bridal party spread the word so that people know to expect this. With that many options people shouldn't go hungry, but I've been to a few receptions with just hor dourves and there weren't many options - and you don't want to fill up on veggies and cheese cubes! Needless to say, we left early to grab a real meal, but if I were you I would just make sure that people know that's what they're walking into. All that being said, it is a great idea. Sometimes when my FI and I go out to eat we just grab appetizers and graze. I think a lot of people will enjoy it, but just make sure they're aware.
Posted by marissa_claire[/QUOTE]

I agree, with one exception: an evening wedding + cocktail reception.

MommyMarta08 · September 2010

I am having something similar but it is going to be very formal. We are having a cocktail hour with passed hor douevres (grilled cheese/tomato soup shooters, mini beef wellingtons, shrimp cocktail, new england clam chowder w/ clam cake, etc.) and then we are doing bigger (mini meals) for the regular dinner. We will have a sushi station, and people passing around things like lobster mac n cheese in martini glasses, sliders w/ milkshakes, there will be a gourmet pizza station, short ribs over risotto in mini mason jars, etc. I don't think my event is any less formal than a sit down dinner. I've been to charity events, media parties, etc where things are similarly done.

nancyr · September 2010

I agree w/MommyMarta, I don't think you need to give up on the formal dress option just because you aren't having a sit down dinner or full dinner. I went to college in the south and most of my friends from VA and GA had similar receptions but didn't do away with the formal wedding wear.

cll915 · September 2010

I am having a buffet style dinner broken down into stations so there are attendants at each station. Now-a-days you can ask your reception hall for a cocktail party menu and they will help you customize as needed. I am not doing "assigned" seating and keeping the environment light. I am also doing cupcakes with a small cake for cutting rather than a formal cake.

I am still having a formal dress and including most of the traditional items of a wedding (grand entrance and cake cutting). I put on the formal invitation a cocktail reception to follow. Everyone seems very excited because of how different it will be from the ordinary weddings everyone has.

Trying to cut food costs... need help

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