When it comes to your catering services for your wedding, there are options to make it more affordable. Generally for larger receptions, catering companies will offer discounts on their own.

Saving money on your food and drink can be very easy, but it really depends on how large your reception party will be and what you are planning to serve. I will explain how you can save some money on the catering for your wedding party.

1. You can serve basic entrees where the meals are all inclusive and forego the extras like salads, soups and breads and bring these items yourself.

2. You can choose to go with appetizers instead of full entrees. Many catering companies will offer a variety of appetizers at a special cost.

3. Skip out on the extra services that many catering companies offer such as place settings or servers.

4. Avoid going to a professional caterer and opt to use a small restaurants catering services instead.

5. Picking up the food for your reception instead of letting the catering company deliver it can save you a great deal of money.

6. You can always make the food yourself and experiment with many different tastes or prepare all of your best dishes.

7. Tips are generally included in catering packages so you do not have to provide extra tips during the reception unless someone goes out of their way and/or far over the duties

8. Plan your wedding yourself instead of using a wedding planner

9. Limit your transportation costs by booking the services on off seasons or shopping around for the cheapest costs

10. The very last thing that you can do is elope!

These tips can save you a lot of money on catering because when you skip the extras and forego the delivery charges and set up etc. catering companies will give you good prices.

Of course, you can also opt out of full entrees and serve something altogether different. It can be very easy to get good prices on catering services. Perhaps the best way to do this is to simply limit the guests at your reception that you have to serve.

By turning your wedding reception into a private and intimate celebration, you can limit the amount of guests without offending anyone. Unless you can afford to invite all of your co-workers that you get along with, don’t invite any. It is just good etiquette.

This easy to follow wedding planning checklist will help plan your perfect wedding day and will be helpful for all details of your wedding, from the wedding invitations and the bridesmaid dresses to the groomsmen attire (tuxedos). Keep calm, and keep your wedding planning checklist handy.

Let’s begin. Some of the items that all brides and grooms should be considering:

One Year to Wedding Day:  Bride and groom must discuss budget and add at least 5% to the amount for extras that may come up. Talk about what financial contribution each family can help out with. Determine your ideal location and the size of your wedding party. Budget and timing will help determine if you need help from a wedding planner or wedding consultant. Agree on a date for your wedding. Choose a few places to have your wedding reception and begin to contact them with your chosen date.

Nine -Ten Months:  Pick out your wedding dress. Begin the interviewing process to pick your musicians or dj, caterers, photographers, florist. Pick out your Minister/Priest/Rabbi or Justice of the Peace who will officiate at your wedding.

Six-Eight Months:  Go shopping for your bridesmaid dresses and mother of the bride dress. Choose your music for the wedding reception. Make reservations for your honeymoon and get your travel documents needed such as passport or visas. Send out save the date announcements.

Four-Five Months:  Purchase your wedding invitations. Shop for the grooms attire and choose if you will rent tuxedos. Shop for the groomsmen and ushers attire. Pick out your wedding rings. Select the bakery for your wedding cake and reserve.

Three Months out:  Finalize invitations. Get help in planning out rehearsal dinner reservations. You can delegate to your friends and family.

Two Months out:  Mail invitations. Write vows. Buy gifts for wedding party. Schedule a makeover and hairstyle for your wedding day.

One Month:  Make sure all contracted vendors are finalized and confirmations are obtained. Apply for your marriage license. Choose your seating chart for wedding guests.

Two-Three Days prior:  Treat yourself to a full day at the spa. Pack for your honeymoon.

One day:  Go to lunch with close friend or family and pat yourself on the back for staying organized.