With close to 400 guests, how can we include a dinner without spending $6000?

by Carrie H
(Omaha, NE)

I am getting married in fall of 2010 and our budget is about $8000. With close to 400 guests how can we reduce the cost for a dinner at the reception? We both don't want to cut this part out to save money.

Hi Carrie

Wow! 400 guests is a lot of people to feed!

To feed this many people on a tight budget you will need to be creative.

Have a look at cheap wedding reception menu ideas for alternatives to a sit down meal.

As your wedding is in the fall you could look at serving spicey pumpkin soup and crusty bread, the soup is cheap to make and the bread you could buy from a local baker or store.

Or think about the style of food that you and your guests love, food from around the world can add an exotic twist to your reception and instead of serving lots you could have small tasters at buffet bars dotted around the room.

Call in as much help as you can to cater for this number, if you can manage to cook the food yourselves you will save a fortune.

Good luck with your plans.

Suz