Planning a wedding is not cheap, but thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can keep costs down. One strategy is to choose event catering that does not break the bank. After all, there are plenty of foods that are just as delicious as steak and lobster -- but that cost only a small fraction of their price. Here are four affordable wedding reception menus that will please guests taste buds for less.
Pulled Pork
Who doesn't like pulled pork? Smokey, spicy, and topped with a sweet barbecue sauce, you can serve it with fluffy buns and let guests assemble their own sandwiches. Pair it with some baked beans and a salad, and you have a complete meal that guests will love. Macaroni and cheese also makes a great side! If the wedding caterers you've been exploring don't offer pulled pork, you may want to look into caterers who specialize in barbecue specifically.
Build-You-Own Burgers
You may not want to serve fast food burgers at your wedding, but "upscale" burgers, made from sirloin beef and topped with your guests' choice of toppings, will delight guests. Consider offering several different patty types: turkey, vegan black bean, beef, and maybe salmon. Good toppings to offer include onions, various cheeses, pulled pork, pickles, bacon, avocado, mustard, balsamic vinegar, lettuce, and tomato.
Specialty Grilled Cheese
This idea works best for a small wedding. Have the caterers bring several sandwich presses and stand along the buffet line. Guests can choose the ingredients for their own grilled cheese and then watch as their specialized sandwiches are made before their eyes. You can provide several good melting cheeses, like cheddar, Gruyere, Swiss, muenster, mozzarella, and pepper jack. Other fillings to include are sliced turkey, bacon, sausage, sauteed onions, pineapple, avocado, tomatoes, garlic, and basil.
Various Pasta Dishes
Another option is to hire a caterer who specializes in Italian cuisine, and serve several types of pasta dishes to your guests. You can let guests choose their dish, or you can serve everyone a "flight" of three or four dishes. Good pasta dishes to include are fettuccini Alfredo, spaghetti Bolognese, linguini with clam sauce, and trenette al pesto. Pair these dishes with some loaves of Italian bread and some fresh green salads, and your guests won't want for a thing.
You don't have to serve prime-cut steak at your wedding for guests to have a good time. The meals above costs a lot less but are incredibly tasty.
