Ten tips to cut your wedding reception costs

Looking for ways to cut your reception cost without compromising on style? Then look no further. These handy hints will have you well on your way to planning your dream wedding reception, minus the high price tag.

1. Much of your reception costs will go on beer and wine, so find a reception venue which lets you to bring your own alcohol. Just be careful to check what corkage fees apply.

2. Buy your alcohol from a wholesaler who allows you to return unopened bottles.

3. Have a lunchtime or afternoon reception. People tend to drink less during the day than at night.

4. Ask your venue staff to serve welcome drinks from trays. This will limit the cost of alcohol as guests will not end up putting a drink down, forgetting about it and then going to the bar for another.

5. Cut down your guest list so you can lavish more food, wine and attention on those special people invited to celebrate with you. You could decide not to invite business associates, colleagues and acquaintances.

6. Choose inexpensive menu choices like pasta and chicken and ask the chef to dress them up with a delicious sauce.

7. Hire your decorations directly from the rental company rather than going through your venue coordinator. You will make huge savings.

8. Stop the free bar during the meal and position a few bottles of wine on each table. Guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness and you will save money.

9. Go for a buffet rather than table service. Buffets require fewer serving staff which makes them a less expensive choice, even though the food may be of just as high quality.

10. Spend your money on a really delicious wedding cake like chocolate fudge cake with raspberry coulis, and serve it up as dessert. After all, by the time guests have eaten the dessert they are usually too full to manage cake as well.

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