It's not going to be a surprise to hear that food is becoming more expensive. You see this price increase at the grocery store and when eating out. You also may see it when choosing a menu with your wedding caterers. The cumulative costs of the meal you're serving each guest represent a significant percentage of your overall wedding budget (and that may not even include drinks). What are some ways to truly save money on wedding catering without cheapening the experience?

Cost Per Person 

The per-person cost of a sit-down meal at a wedding is more than the ingredients on the plate. The way those ingredients were prepared, where they came from, the taxes included in their purchase, the fee charged for flatware rental at your wedding reception, and the salaries for the servers ferrying plates back and forth—these all contribute to the cost per person. So how can you reduce these costs? For starters, you don't necessarily need servers.

Think About a Buffet

Instead of a standard fixed meal, served over several courses, think about a buffet. The spread can feature a wide variety of choices to cater to all dietary needs and restrictions. Catering staff simply top-up buffet items as needed, greatly reducing the cost associated with serving the meal. The constant stream of guests eagerly serving themselves also adds some atmosphere. 

Local and Seasonal Ingredients

A buffet allows for a wider variety of cuisines too, united under a general theme (which may be nothing more than their suitability to share the same plate). A well-stocked wedding buffet looks bountiful, and a versatile selection allows for versatile sourcing. Ensure that your caterer's prospective menu showcases local and seasonal ingredients. These maximize freshness (and flavor) while also being less expensive than imported and out-of-season ingredients. 

Plant-Based Menu

If you or your soon-to-be spouse are vegan or vegetarian, this way of living could be incorporated into your menu. Sure, there could be a few carnivores amongst your guests who might wonder where the meat is, but it's your special day, and so it's your call. And once the meat has been eliminated from your menu, that menu suddenly becomes a lot more cost-effective. You may want to check the price of a plant-based menu with your prospective caterer. 

By choosing a wedding buffet and being selective about what's included in that buffet, your wedding meal doesn't have to cost more than the honeymoon.

Contact a company like Savini's Pomodoro to learn more.