Summer Wedding Food Ideas On A Budget

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When you begin planning your wedding you soon realize that one of the biggest budget items is the catering cost. The upside though, is that this is also the area where some creative thinking can help you to save a lot of money and stretch your budget further. In this article, we’ll discuss some excellent wedding food ideas that will make your summer wedding look fabulous while still staying on a budget.

Staying on a budget for a summer wedding can be achieved by using the things we love about summer eating; lighter options, eating outdoors, and socializing. Swap the traditional three-course dinner for grazing tables, picnic food or food stations. Use clever food styling to make affordable food look like a feast.

The key thing when planning a summer wedding menu is to think about how you want people to feel during your reception. Think about the space they will be in – will it be open and airy? Will they be trying to find places to cool down and relax?  How will the food you serve complement the vibe you’re trying to create? 

Budget-Friendly Summer Wedding Food Ideas

Weddings are expensive, but everyone wants the best for their big day. However, wanting the best for your wedding day does not necessarily mean spending a fortune on it. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of ways in which you can stay on a budget while still having the wedding reception. 

Keep reading to find out more. 

Food presentation	Suitable venue	Types of food
Grazing tables	Restaurant/Backyard/ Beach/ Specific wedding venue	Meat, cheese, bread, nuts, fruit, olives, crackers, veggies, etc
Themed food stations	Restaurant/ Backyard/ Beach/ Specific wedding venue	Breakfast, tacos, sushi, burgers, hot dogs, pasta etc
Picnic food	Backyard/ Beach/ Restaurant/ Terrace/ Specific wedding venue	Individual salad boxes, gourmet sandwiches and wraps, mini hot dogs, tiny quiches and pies, dessert cups etc
Finger food	Backyard/ Beach/ Restaurant/ Terrace/ Specific wedding venue	Tiny tacos, mini burgers, chicken kebabs, bruschetta, mini grilled cheese sandwiches, chili cups.

Grazing Tables

If you’re hoping to make a big impression with your wedding catering, a grazing table is a fantastic idea. A beautiful table laden with delicious meats, cheese, crackers, veggies and fruit makes a wonderful display for your guests.

A grazing table is also very cost and time effective if you can do this yourself. Purchasing the ingredients from a discount store such as Costco or Aldi will save a huge amount of money compared to having this catered by external vendors. In this example Michelle was able to make an amazing table for $5 per head.

The key things to consider if you go with a grazing table are the following:

• To minimize food spoilage the table needs to be laid just before guests arrive, so you will probably need to have someone do this for you, perhaps a relative or close friend.
• Consider the temperature at the venue. During summer you will want the majority of food to be consumed within the first hour or or so, so it doesnt’ risk food safety temperature levels. 
• An alternative to a whole table laid out could be individual charcuterie cups, or smaller platters, so you can serve some at the table, and keep the remainders refrigerated until needed. 

Picnic Food

Picnic food is a great way of reminding everyone the joys of summer during your wedding. Whilst it isn’t the most formal of choices, it can work brilliantly for your big day as it can be super flexible to serve, it’s easy to DIY, and can be largely made ahead. It’s also incredibly easy to allow for any dietary requirements your guest have, by serving a variety of foods like sandwiches, salads, and wraps.

A picnic themed wedding is also be super affordable. Whether you buy food in bulk and make it yourself, or hire a professional caterer, you will definitely have a big reduction in your catering budget compared to a traditional 3 course meal. 

Your guests will love these options:

• Individual salad boxes
• Gourmet sandwiches and wraps
• Mini hot dogs
• Tiny quiches and pies
• Dessert cups

Themed Food Stations

Having your guests serve themselves at small food stations, rather than be served at a table, can be a great opportunity for guests to mingle and hang out while enjoying your wedding celebration. It is a great food presentation option for almost any wedding venue type, such as a wedding in a backyard, on the beach, or in an outdoor wedding venue that you may select. 

Using themed decor at the station can turn what is actually a cheaper food choice into a memorable, even kitsch, experience for your guests.  This kind of setup will give you the chance to serve affordable food that will still look fabulous. You can also serve a couple of different types of food wouldn’t have complemented each other in a buffet by setting them up at different stations. This is also a great option when you and your partner cant quite agree on what to serve – you can serve both of your favorites!

Some great options for food stations:

• Breakfast for dinner
• Tacos
• Sushi
• Burgers 
• Hot dogs
• Pasta
• Loaded potatoes
• Fondue

Any type of food with an element of DIY for the guest, such as adding their own toppings or creating their own combinations is sure to be a hit.

Finger Food

Choosing a cocktail style reception, where your guests are mostly standing and mingling, is a great way to save money in your wedding budget. By serving only finger foods you will cut the cost of catering as you won’t need to serve 3 whole courses to every single guest. 

By having a variety of options you can include some lower cost items to reduce the total cost. If you’re going to DIY this option you can look to spend around $10-$15 per guest.  

Some ideas for foods you could serve:

• Tiny tacos
• Mini burgers
• Chicken kebabs
• Bruschetta
• Mini grilled cheese sandwiches
• Chili cups

Food Presentation and Styling

Choosing the right servingware and accessories will elevate the presentation of your affordable food choices. 

Follow these tips to create memorable food displays for your big day:

Use Height

When laying out a grazing table or food station, be sure to use different heights in your servingware to make the food display attractive to your guests. Tall vases and cake stands are useful. You can also use upturned bowls as a base to make plates stand taller.

Interesting sevingware and packaging

Once you’ve settled on a type of food to serve, the next crucial decsion is what to serve it in, or on.

Your guests will love these ideas:

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FAQs:     

Is It Mandatory To Have Appetizers At A Wedding? 

Appetizers are absolutely optional. Serving only two courses at a sit down wedding reception meal is completely fine, and a great way to save on your catering budget. Many guests will prefer to have more time for dancing and mingling than being stuck a their tables for an extra food course!

What Can You Serve Instead Of A Meal At A Wedding? 

Instead of a traditional sit down wedding meal, there are a number of options. You can set up food stations where people can serve appetizers themselves. You can have different stations for chacuterie, finger foods, and desserts. A grazing table is a terrific option instead of a full meal.

Can I Make My Own Food For My Wedding? 

Generally, anything that can be made ahead could be made into a wedding meal, therefore, you can absolutely make your own food for your wedding. You will just need to make sure you have facilities to reheat the dishes, or keep them warm before serving them. 

Is It Rude Not To Serve Dinner At A Wedding? 

You do not have to serve traditional three-course meals, but you need to provide some food for your guests. If you want to save money, you can go with snacks and desserts, but there must be some kind of food or refreshment. 

Still Working Out Your Wedding Budget?

• Download our Free Wedding Budget Calculator spreadsheet.  This will show you how to decide your budget in 5 easy steps – Debt Free!
• Read how to calculate your ideal budget based on your salary.  Use our free tool to work out your budget super fast!
• Find out how a Wedding Planner can save you money. They can help you save more than you think!