Okay, maybe your initial response is "YES, of course I need a caterer!" The general expectation these is that you will serve some sort of food or meal, and clearly the focus of the Good Bride will not be on garnishing the finger sandwiches and heating up meatballs at the last minute. But let's look back to the weddings of the 50s, 60s, and 70s for a bit. We recall (or have heard about) a time when wedding food usually meant either a buffet of food prepared by various friends and relatives, or cake, punch, mints, and nuts for an afternoon reception. Since that time, we've moved through an era of somewhat-affordable catering by local restaurants into very-pricey venues with often-mediocre menus priced at $25-$100 per guest. And these days, it is the exception rather than the rule to find one who will allow you to bring in your own alcohol or cake. The reasonable Good Bride should carefully consider these options when selecting a reception location. Among the better, more responsible choices:
- If your location allows, enlist the help of family and friends to prepare food a menu, incorporating favorites of the two of you. Hire someone who is not a wedding guest to take care of setup, replenishment, and cleanup. You will not only be pleased with the quality, but will save up to 90 percent.
- Use a hybrid approach, using some foods from a caterer, and other favorites that you, your family or friends have prepared. Bring your own alcohol, if you plan to serve alcohol. Enlist the caterer for the responsibility of setup, replenishment, and cleanup. This option may cost a little more than the first option, but will still save you mega-bucks, particularly on alcohol.
- Fully catered, but with simple, affordable selections. The actual food is not what the guests will remember - it is the feeling, the atmosphere, and the magic.
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