Congratulations, dear Malaysian couple! Weddings are a special time in many of our lives, but with so much to plan for, it can be stressful. Especially when it comes to catering for the marriage feast—it’s easy to get carried away with all the options available and end up with an unexpected bill.
But don’t worry! 50Gram Wedding is here to help you save money and ensure your wedding feast looks amazing without breaking the bank. We’ve put together 7 simple strategies for wedding catering on a budget in Malaysia that will help you make the best of your budget and have a beautiful wedding reception without going over your budget.
From creating an elegant buffet menu to getting creative with place settings and decorations, these 7 simple strategies will help you achieve an impressive wedding feast without sacrificing your vision. So join us today and explore how you can cut costs while making sure your special day looks perfect!
Strategy 1: Choose Affordable Wedding Catering Menus
If you’re getting married on a budget, wedding catering is one area where you can save money! Here are some easy strategies that can help you cut costs while still having a delicious feast for your special day:
- Choose affordable wedding catering menus: Look at the price list of different caterers in Malaysia and compare the prices for various dishes. Most caterers offer discounts when an entire menu is ordered, so it’s best to look at what combination of dishes will provide the best value for money.
- Avoid excessive options: You don’t need multiple entrees or more than five side dishes for your guests. Stick with simple food that is reasonably priced, and also remember to factor drinks into your overall budget for catering.
- Keep it light: Heavy meals often require more ingredients and can be expensive. A lighter menu with fewer courses will help save relative to pricier options.
- Minimize waste: Choose dishes your guests are likely to enjoy, and check with the caterer about how much food they’d recommend ordering based on the number of guests attending the wedding reception. This way, you won’t be paying for food that goes uneaten!
These are just a few tips to help you save money while achieving your dream wedding catering experience without breaking the bank!
Strategy 2: Opt for Family-Style or Buffet Service Over Plated Meals
Opting for family-style or buffet service over plated meals can help you save a lot of money for wedding catering!
Plated meals often come at a premium price because they require more servers and planning. Plus, the lack of formal plating encourages guests to mingle and socialize while they serve themselves – which is always a win! But with family-style or buffet service, you can provide delicious meals without worrying about plating costs.
Family-style service keeps the cost down by providing one large plate per table that all guests share. This will allow you to offer a variety of dishes without breaking the bank. The buffet style offers even more flexibility–you can choose an array of dishes that best fit your wedding style and budget. Both options will still make a desirable presentation while keeping the costs reasonable.
So take advantage of this much simpler option for your wedding catering needs in Malaysia!
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Strategy 3: Keep the Guest List Small and Intimate
You can save much money during your wedding planning by keeping the guest list small and intimate. When you decide on the number of your guests, it will greatly impact how much you’ll spend on catering.
Cost Per Person
Catering cost per person can vary significantly depending on how many people you’re hosting. For example, if you’re having a five-course dinner for 150 people, it can cost between RM120- RM200 per person. However, if you plan a sit-down dinner for 50 people, the cost per person will be significantly lower.
You should also consider your guest’s dietary preferences when deciding the size of your guest list. For example, if some of your guests require gluten-free or vegan food options, managing those special needs with fewer people will be easier than with a large crowd. Not to mention that having fewer mouths to feed makes things much more economical!
Making It Intimate
Your wedding is an important milestone, and you want your special day to be memorable! A small and intimate wedding allows you to have close family members and friends who matter – instead of inviting everyone in your contact list just because “you have to”.
Not only is it more economical, but having an intimate celebration also eliminates many stressful decision-making processes that come with larger crowds – such as deciding on an appropriate gift or favour for every single one of them! So take some time today to review your current guest list and consider whether some names could come off without causing any regret or distress for anyone involved.
Strategy 4: Offer Limited Drink Options or a Cash Bar
If cocktails and champagne are optional for your wedding, you can save money on drinks by providing limited options or asking your guests to pay for their beverages. This way, you can buy cheaper beers and wines instead of having an open bar with top-tier spirits.
Alternatively, set up a cash bar where guests pay for each drink they order. Many couples opt for this approach to ensure no one gets too drunk at the event!
Regardless of your choice, having fewer drink options means you don’t need to hire a full-time bartender and all the equipment that comes with it. This can result in significant cost savings if you’re on a tight budget.
Strategy 5: Use Disposable Plates and Cutlery
You may not know this, but one of the most effective ways to save money on catering your wedding in Malaysia is to use disposable plates and cutlery. Not only are these items convenient to use and quick to clean up, but they are also usually much more affordable than renting them. This cost-saving tip can be a real game-changer when budgeting your wedding-catered meal.
Variety
With disposable plates and cutlery, you can choose from a variety of colours, prints, sizes, and styles. You’ll be able to find something that fits your theme perfectly! Plus, with such affordable variety, you won’t have to sacrifice style for the budget.
Eco-friendly Alternatives
Opt for eco-friendly disposable plates and biodegradable cutlery made from recycled materials to make your event even more sustainable. This way, you can still save money while helping the environment at the same time! And don’t worry about having a small selection—plenty of eco-friendly options out there look just as good as their non-eco counterparts.
If you’re planning a wedding in Malaysia on a budget, disposable plates and cutlery are the way to go! With so many options available—you’ll be able to find the perfect balance between price and style for your special day!
Strategy 6: DIY Your Wedding Desserts and Cake
You may not know this, but DIYing your wedding desserts and cake can save you lots of money! If you’ve got a bit of time to spare and are ready to think outside the box, there are plenty of delicious and cost-effective options for dessert.
Here are just a few ideas that could help you save some cash:
Idea 1: Fruit Skewers
A little cutting and threading is all it takes for fruit skewers! Seasonal fruit is usually more affordable, making it the perfect option for a healthy (and affordable!) dessert alternative.
Idea 2: Popcorn
Not only is popcorn delicious, but it’s also relatively easy to prepare in bulk. You can also have fun with seasoning mixes or toppings matching your wedding theme.
Idea 3: Cupcakes
Cupcakes offer the same deliciousness you can expect from a wedding cake without the hefty price tag. You might even get adventurous with flavours and decorations to make them special!
Idea 4: Cookie Station
Setting up cookie stations or cookie bars at your wedding is another great way to keep costs down while giving your guests delightful leisurely treats.
DIYing your wedding desserts requires thoughtful planning in advance, so take full advantage of 50Gram Wedding’s online platform to help create an amazing dessert buffet that won’t break the bank!
Strategy 7: Negotiate With Your Wedding Caterer for the Best Deal
Negotiation can be tricky, but it’s a great way to get the best deal on wedding catering. You may not know this, but many suppliers offer discounts and special pricing based on how much you’re ordering – or even just for being a nice person!
To make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, here are a few strategies to keep in mind:
Shop Around
50Gram Wedding is an online platform that allows you to easily find and compare various wedding caterers. It doesn’t hurt to compare prices and services offered by multiple caterers. You can also request referrals from friends and family who have recently married or check out online reviews. This way, you can find the best one on the right budget.
Request Quotes
Once you’ve found the caterer of your choice, request a quote to have something to work with during negotiations. Compare prices from different vendors and what’s included in each package – like tableware rental, delivery fees or additional staff hours – and negotiate accordingly.
Aim For Flexibility
Many wedding caterers may offer discounts if you’re flexible on certain elements of your catering package – like food choices, portion sizes or seating arrangements. If they’re unwilling to budge on price, they may offer freebies such as extra side dishes or complimentary decorations instead—so don’t be afraid to ask!
There’s no harm in asking for what you want regarding your wedding catering. So arm yourself with these strategies and get ready to negotiate for your dream wedding without breaking the bank!
Conclusion
Planning a wedding in Malaysia can be daunting, especially when budgeting and staying within your allotted spending limit. That’s why we’ve developed 7 tips and tricks to help couples save money on their wedding catering without compromising the quality of food and service. From asking the catering provider for a discount to selecting a buffet instead of a plated meal, many affordable options are available to ensure your guests are well taken care of. With 50Gram Wedding’s easy-to-use platform, you can choose the perfect caterer and wedding package that suits your budget. So don’t wait – book your wedding catering in 50Gram Wedding now and enjoy a stress-free, unforgettable wedding day with peace of mind.
FAQ
To save money on wedding catering in Malaysia, you can follow these strategies:
- Choose affordable wedding catering menus by comparing prices and looking for discounts on complete menus.
- Avoid excessive options and stick with reasonably priced, simple food.
- Opt for a lighter menu with fewer courses to minimize ingredient costs.
- Minimize waste by selecting dishes your guests are likely to enjoy and consulting with the caterer regarding recommended food quantities.
- Consider family-style or buffet service instead of plated meals to reduce costs associated with additional servers and formal plating. Remember to factor in drinks when planning your catering budget.
To save money on catering, consider keeping your wedding guest list small and intimate. This has several benefits:
- The cost per person for catering can vary significantly based on the number of guests, with smaller events generally resulting in lower costs per person.
- Managing dietary preferences and special needs is easier with fewer guests.
- An intimate celebration eliminates the stress of decision-making for a large crowd, allowing you to focus on close family and friends who matter the most.
Here are some options to save money on drinks for your wedding in Malaysia:
- Offer limited drink options or implement a cash bar where guests pay for their beverages.
- Providing a smaller selection of drinks, such as cheaper beers and wines, reduces the need for a full-time bartender and associated equipment costs.
Using disposable plates and cutlery for your wedding catering in Malaysia offers the following advantages:
- Disposable items are generally more affordable than renting traditional plates and cutlery.
- They provide a wide variety of options in terms of colours, prints, sizes, and styles, allowing you to find something that matches your wedding theme.
- Opting for eco-friendly disposable plates and biodegradable cutlery from recycled materials aligns with sustainability goals while keeping costs low.
Consider these ideas to save money on wedding desserts and cakes in Malaysia:
- DIY options like fruit skewers, popcorn, cupcakes, or a cookie station are cost-effective alternatives to a traditional wedding cake.
- Seasonal fruit skewers are both healthy and affordable.
- Popcorn is a delicious and economical choice to be prepared in bulk.
- Cupcakes provide a similar experience to a wedding cake at a lower cost.
- Setting up a cookie station or bar offers a leisurely treat for guests.
