It’s a no brainer that having food at a wedding is a must. According to Brides, food and drink typically accounts for at least 40% of your total wedding budget. However, that catering bill doesn’t just mean the actual food—you’re paying for preparation, equipment, staff, and more.

But what if you want amazing food on a budget? And you’re thinking, “how do I feed all of those people?!” We’ve gathered some of our favorite big crowd/low budget food options, so you don’t have to sacrifice taste or aesthetic!

Grazing Tables/Charcuterie Boards

Not only are grazing tables one of the hottest food trends, they’re also incredibly, budget-friendly. Meats + cheeses will be the majority of the expense here, but you can add so many inexpensive goodies that you can buy in bulk from Costco. Think olives, crackers, fruit, nuts, breads, cut veggies, dip, etc. A little something for all taste buds. This is an especially great option if you’re hosting your wedding at a time that doesn’t demand a full meal.

Brunch

Bringing your favorite “Sunday Funday” meal to your wedding is a sure way to make sure no one goes hungry, without breaking the bank. Eggs parfaits, pancakes, waffles, fruit - all of your brunch staples will cost significantly less than other dinner meal alternatives. You can even add a signature bacon station or doughnut wall to up the visual aesthetic!

Taco Bar

If you are planning an evening wedding where food is normally expected, a self-serve taco bar is one of the least expensive ways you can feed your guests a full meal. And who doesn’t love tacos? 🌮❤️Make sure to include plenty of fun, tasty toppings like: mango, pickled onions, cilantro and - can you even eat tacos without guac? 🥑

Barbeque

If you’re planning an outdoor or summer wedding, barbecuing is a great, budget-friendly option. You would think this would cost more, since it is heavy on the meat. However, you can still feed a crowd because BBQ is slow cooked which allows your cater to use less expensive cuts-of-meat. Plus, traditional barbecue sides like: coleslaw, beans, and mac and cheese are also very affordable and easy to prepare for lots of people! Up the elegance level by serving a BBQ meal plated rather than on a buffet line or family style.

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