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Newbie August 2022 Alberta

Catering Woes

Jannell, on February 19, 2020 at 20:49 Posted in Wedding reception 0 13

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Hello all you lovely brides! I'm going through a bit of a tough time with catering and I'm hoping to get some opinions from you guys. I've asked within my family circle and have gotten opinions from them but I'm hoping some outside perspective will help, it takes a village right?

I've been at it for 3 or more weeks now (time is kind of running together at this point) and I have catering quotes coming out of my ying yang! I'm feeling pretty lost (maybe to many choices now? Haha) I hate to write a novel but I feel there needs to be a run down of what we're looking for, budget so on and so forth.
Our budget is pretty tight being between $2000 and $3000 and honestly that's my first question, I also hate to pry but what did everyone spend on a catering? Preferably those who were on a tight budget, cuz man! Did I look at some numbers with AH-LOT of zeros behind them!We're keeping the menu really simple and light, its august 21st 2021, so smack dab in the middle of the summer. I'm stuck between food stations and a buffet, I'm really not sure which is more cost effective and the quotes I've been getting back haven't been the most detail oriented in price break downs or are so exuberant that I crumpled up that piece of paper and tossed it across the room...or imagined doing it because it was via email. Staff to bus and clean dishes is a must for me, I really don't want family to be working during the wedding. And maybe that's where the high numbers are coming from? I really don't know anymore and I'm getting to the point of saying screw it! Everyone is getting pizza!
Thank you, you beautiful brides, for taking the time to read my S.O.S. If you have a spare minute and could throw this girl a bone it'd be soo appreciated!

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13 Comments

Latest activity by Sarah, on February 21, 2020 at 22:56

Expert August 2021 British Columbia
Sarah · On February 21, 2020 at 22:56
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We are having friends make the food for us.We are spending $1500 for 120 people and will have a chow mein bar,Taco bar,pasta bar,dessert bar and a candy bar.To keep costs lower we are also doing a toonie bar and using any earnings for our honeymoon.
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Expert August 2021 British Columbia
Sarah · On February 21, 2020 at 22:53
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I hired an acquaintance that has a very tight family budget and for $300 she’s over the moon to clear plates and wash dishes.
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Newbie August 2022 Alberta
Jannell · On February 21, 2020 at 19:39
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I must say! Thank you all so much for your wonderful opinions and comments! I've a little bit of restructuring to do but I think I've narrowed it down.

Thank you all again! ❤
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Frequent user April 2021 Ontario
Megan · On February 20, 2020 at 11:16
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We ended up going with food stations through a fairly new caterer, and it's about $40/person. So $3,400 for 85 people. Their buffet option was cheaper because it involves much less labour.
My friend spent $1000 on a gourmet pizza food truck. Another friend spent $25/person on a gourmet BBQ buffet.
Make a spreadsheet with boxes to tick off what's included (service, cutlery, linens, if you need an additional tip).
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Curious September 2020 Alberta
Taylor · On February 20, 2020 at 09:56
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The most cost effective caterer we were able to find in our area was about $15 per person for a buffet, and was about $10 per person cheaper than any of the other quotes we got. We are having a small wedding and ended up deciding to go the self-catering route (sort of) and hiring a friend to just make our main dish for us (bbq) because it will save us a TON of money.
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Super May 2022 Ontario
Erin · On February 20, 2020 at 09:53
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I hear you about keeping your budget and applaud you for staying firm in your decision to stay within your budget, so many times you will hear oh it's just an extra$$ but all those extra $$ add up! We have 100 guests and to save money we decided on an evening ceremony with a cocktail style reception to follow. So we have a variety of apps, hot and cold. Our total budget is $8000 and our catering costs will be $1800.00
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Top October 2019 Manitoba
Tori · On February 20, 2020 at 09:47
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Over here in Manitoba we got Danny's Whole Hog BBQ - and for 200 people it came out to $4,800 roughly. We got the buns, pulled pork, sauces, BBQ chicken, caesar salad, loaded baked potatos, mac & cheese, mixed veggies, and then we also had the dessert of mixed dainties (tarts, nanaimo bars, brownies, and carrot cake). It was $20/person and then milage for the drive as well as 12% taxes. They only supplied paper plates and plastic cutlery though so we went with a rental place to get dishes and cutlery.
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Frequent user October 2020 Saskatchewan
Marcy · On February 20, 2020 at 07:54
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We were in the same situation. My FH wanted everyone who was invited to also be invited to the supper, so that might we really needed to watch our budget. We’re getting married in a small town - so that helps with the price. Our budget was between $2000-$2500 for the meal. I contacted SO many caterers. Basically, I ended up making an excel spreadsheet listing each one, what they offered, what the price was per person and then if there were any additional fees, like mileage, dish washing etc. this helped to put it into focus a bit. Also, I found most people were pretty reasonable to work with. I gave them our budget per person and asked them to provide me with what they could do for that price. Rather me trying to sort through and put together a menu. If they want your business they will be as helpful as possible! Also not sure if it’s an option with your venue, but we hired a local fundraising group to bus tables and do dishes. This cut down the costs significantly, as our caterer was charging an additional $4-5 per person for that service. Instead, we are paying the local group $300 to wash dishes and clear tables. Good luck!
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Curious September 2021 Ontario
Tinaka · On February 20, 2020 at 07:44
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Hey, dont knock pizza thats what we're serving! Lol

But in all seriousness I totally get what you're feeling catering has been the biggest problem for me. Heck im struggling to even get quotes at this point, it seems like as soon as they hear what we want our guest list to be ( about 50) and how we want just pizza and salads they don't even bother responding.
Lucky that I have found someone willing to do our wedding, we are quoted for about 20 per person and will be a buffet. The caterer is great and also will bring plates and cuttlery for no extra charge to us!
Have you tried thinking outside the box with catering? Does your town have a college with a culinary program? Id reach out to them see if they would be willing. I know it would be cheaper and would give the students a great opportunity.
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Curious September 2019 Ontario
Megan · On February 20, 2020 at 07:01
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I had the situation where my location didn't have a kitchen so finding a cost effective catering option was thrown out the window haha. My only option was a pig roast which I didn't want and with a couple vegan/vegetarian's it was a rude option for those guests. I didn't want to spend a fortune on food so we ended up finding a local "wood fire" pizza company and actually went the pizza route. Guests and family were hesitant at first with the idea but on the day of they ended up really liking it. We did a buffet style and had a family friend (he thankfully volunteered) replenish the pizzas and used contractor lights under wire baskets (covered in fabric from the dollarstore) to act as pedestals and keep the pizza warm. A little DIY but my husband could use the contractor lights after the wedding in our garage so it was worth the budget. We had a local pub cater a poutine bar and mix of appetizers from their menu to help round out the pizza. I set up the area for those and when they delivered the food they kindly put the food in the containers for us and guests served themselves. It was more low key which wasn't ideal but my budget was important and my husband wanted the venue so we made it worked. Plus now my parents rave about the pizza at our wedding haha!
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Top August 2017 Ontario
Vinod · On February 20, 2020 at 02:11
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Buffet style seems less expensive and the way to cut down on the cost.
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Frequent user August 2022 Alberta
Elizabeth · On February 20, 2020 at 01:37
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We’ve been looking all over southern Alberta and the lowest I’ve come across is 6K for 125ppl buffet style with a late night snack. Most places will require you to spend a minimum also so that’s something to keep in mind!
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Devoted May 2021 Ontario
Natasha · On February 19, 2020 at 22:40
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In my experience usually buffet style has a premium price point because you just generally need more food. Plated or stations usually have more labour involved so it can honestly even out in the final breakdown. For 100 guests we have a plated meal with apps and late night and are spending about 9k. Try restaurants maybe - if you aren’t having luck with traditional style catering companies.
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