Ways to Save on Your Catering Costs

By Catering Staff | June 17, 2016

In many ways, hiring the services of a catering company like Chipotle for your special event can be more expensive than cooking your own food and making your own drinks. But you don’t have to fret as there are several ways to save on your catering costs without sacrificing on the great food quality and presentation, among other aspects.  

Keep Your Event Short But Sweet

You can plan for a cocktail reception over three hours, for example, instead of a seat-in dinner with dessert lasting for over five hours. Your guests will appreciate the opportunities to mingle and enjoy the energetic ambiance, too

Cut Down on Labor

You have to discuss the costs for an un-staffed event (i.e., no waiters and chefs at the event) – or at least, only the minimum number of staff required to set up and clean up the venue). Basically, the catering company will prepare the food, set up the venue, and make suggestions about portioning and serving the food, among others. You will save on catering costs considering that labor expenses form a substantial part of the package.

Take Advantage of Promotions

With an intensive online and local search, you will likely find catering companies that offer discounts on large packages, during off seasons (i.e., non-holidays), and for valued customers. You should take advantage of these promotional offers especially when you have a large guest list for your wedding, anniversary, or birthday.

Limit the Bar Offerings

But you have to make the limited bar offerings more attractive to your guests. For example, you can limit your drinks menu to beer, wine and a single specialty drink but with a twist, such as local microbrews for the beer and lesser-known yet still quality wines that can be paired with small complementary plates.  You may even stick to sparkling wine cocktails in several seasonal flavors for greater savings, too.

Control the Dish Portions

While you may be able to control the portions in a sit-down dinner, you have to deal with the increased labor costs (i.e., waiters). You may then decide on a buffet only to discover that the guests have heaped generous portions of the food on their plates, which can result in the food running out and plenty of leftovers. The possible compromise: Get a few servers to dole out the portions to guests so as to control the portions.

Other ways to save on your catering costs include skipping on the special linen and table service; discussing substitutes to expensive dishes; and being smart with your venue, such as one with a pre-existing kitchen. You will find that the best catering companies are willing and able to accommodate your requests for cost-saving measures especially when they want to keep your business.