How to Save Money on Catering

A caterer is usually the most expensive part of a wedding budget. Here's some ways to help save some money:

- Make your own appetizers. If you have a Sams or Costco membership, you can buy boxes of appetizers for a fraction of the cost your caterer would charge you. Then you just have to heat them up and place them on trays.

- Skip the salad course and the soup course. Between appetizers at your cocktail hour and your main course, your guests won't miss it.

- Make sure your seafood is in season. If it's not, it's going to cost you an arm and a leg.

- Arrange for a different meal for your vendors. They do not have to eat the same thing as your guests. Caterers will usually give you vendor meals at a discounted price.

- Try to get your cake cutting fee waived. Also, try to waive the corkage fee.

- Ask a friend to keep an eye on uncorking. You pay for every bottle of wine opened, even if it's not touched.

- Remove the bar stools from the bar. That will keep people from sitting and getting drink after drink.

- Remove bar snacks from the bar. The salt makes guests want to drink more.

- Close your bar about an hour before the reception ends. This way, you also don't have to worry about your friends and family driving drunk.

- Ask if they'll serve coffee at the end of the night for free. Caterers are normally willing to throw in some freebies if you use them.