Alternative Food Ideas To The Seated Dinner

Wedding planning can get expensive, and if you’re finding that your wedding is getting to be too much for your budget before you’ve even gotten to the food, we have some alternative food ideas to the seated dinner. They can still keep with the formal theme, they’ll just save you some money in the process.

1. Serve breakfast or lunch

Traditionally, weddings are more often in the afternoon/evening and featured a seated dinner after the ceremony. However, if you’re not afraid of veering away from tradition or even have wanted something a bit sooner than that, serving breakfast or a brunch/lunch option is a great idea. You can have your ceremony in the morning, followed by a delicious breakfast that will give your guests the energy to hit the dance floor. Breakfasts can be served buffet style, and various stations can be set up to serve some of your favorite foods. This can help you to save on money, and give your guests variety. Same thing with lunch options, it can be lighter fare, served in a more casual style.

2. Serve cocktails instead

Cocktail parties are a little more casual, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still be elegant. Have servers wander around with a variety of appetizers and smaller bites for your guests, and let them pick and choose what sounds good to them. It will fill them up for a night of dancing, and keep them busy while you are taking pictures.

3. Order pizza

I know, this one sounds out there, but if you are going for a casual wedding, then this fits the bill perfectly. Order pizzas for you and your guests, and enjoy a slice with all your friends and family. It’s a great way to keep costs down while ensuring that everyone loves the food served.

4. Food trucks

Bringing in food trucks is a newer trend, but it is taking the industry by storm. Everyone loves food trucks, and it gives your guests some flexibility as to when they want to eat, and what they want to eat. The only downside is not everyone will eat at the same time, but it will be a wedding to remember.

5. Have afternoon tea beforehand

This one is a bit unique and very selective to a wedding theme, but it’s a great way to save on food. Invite your guests to an afternoon tea, complete with finger sandwiches and other small savories that will fill them up before the ceremony. Then, offer the same small bites after, and get the reception started right away.

Some of these alternative food ideas to the seated dinner are a bit more non-traditional, but if it fits your theme, sounds good, and saves you money, there’s no harm in going with it. Every wedding is unique to the couple, so choose the option that fits the two of you best.