Affordable Catering for a wedding

Submitted by naghallac t3_10k9zv2 in washingtondc

Getting married on a budget, and also being frugal, we've found Chipotle catering is around $13 (!) per person.

Yes...it is chipotle...but we both like it and think it would funny. Also frees more funds for what everyone is there for - the open bar

However, inquiring for real caterers the cheapest price is around $130 pp. HUGE jump!

Our headcount is going to be around 50-75 people

Maybe a bit of a long shot, but is there a middle ground? between $13pp and literally 10x the price? thanks!

0

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

anibanan t1_j5pfb0v wrote

Don’t forget to factor in plates/cutlery/glassware, setup/cleanup, any food safety items (chafing dishes or cooling trays) into the cost—-can be the difference between food drop off style catering and full-service catering—venue contract may have specific requirements.

22

clementine2 t1_j5pdpna wrote

Support local and do good. Falafel Inc always gives too much food (so -20% on total attendance to catering number). and does some charity work. And their food is actually good.

20

WayyyCleverer t1_j5pges7 wrote

Timber pizza will do full service catering and bring their mobile brick oven.

12

veloharris t1_j5pkip4 wrote

For your price range a casual restaurant catering is gonna be the way to go. Formal catering will be that 130 and higher.

11

22304_selling t1_j5pbdxb wrote

You fail to provide information such as guest count and venue.

Some restaurants may be able to do so via direct negotiation, but head count is really going to matter a lot in most cases, in terms of a company's ability to do so.

8

naghallac OP t1_j5pby2z wrote

yeah my bad, head count is going to be around 50-70, and the venue is in a hall in Brookland DC

2

KramerBB t1_j5pbyzl wrote

Ivy City Smokehouse. We had our wedding reception there. Food was great, and they do catering.

5

naghallac OP t1_j5pcyx2 wrote

This looks like an interesting option, I will definitely inquire, thanks!

1

Reasons2BCheerfulPt1 t1_j5pvvtl wrote

Catering is one of those rare things that see unit cost increase when buying more. This is because of the increasing complexity of serving large numbers and fewer vendors equipped to make larger meals. Good luck.

5

Pipes_of_Pan t1_j5qh040 wrote

I have been at events catered by Chipotle and it is fun. I would just ask around the affordable casual restaurants in the area that you like and see what they can do! It's not the food that is the big expense, it's the staff time, prep work, plates, etc, so you can probably find a middle ground where you have a big order dropped off or whatever. Also consider food trucks!

5

millenial_pink t1_j5pixbz wrote

Mission bbq (local-ish), I heard about some using Chiko in DC and said it was reasonable. Like others said, it’s the tables, chairs, etc that add up vs the food. For a traditional caterer, I’d check with Spilled Milk. We worked with them for our wedding and they can actually work with various price points vs others. You could also just do heavy passed apps vs a full dinner.

4

naghallac OP t1_j5pscp2 wrote

Thanks, we will look into these. We have a friends who are also using Mission BBQ, there food is p good imo

0

dihydrogen_monoxide t1_j5q5jc0 wrote

Taco Bell catering.

For our wedding we catered from A&Js, Jumbo Jumbo Asia Taste, and Taipei Cafe, was about $15 a head, 175 heads (150 actual attendees).

3

naghallac OP t1_j5q702l wrote

Asian is smart...15 a head is hard to beat! How long ago was that though if you dont mind me asking? These inflation prices are hitting catering like nothing else lol

2

obviouslystealth t1_j5rxqfb wrote

One notch up from chipotle would be Uncle Julios. I dont know if they offer full service catering, but they do bring a grill on site. Also had a friend cater Shouk at her sit-down wedding, not sure how the dishware was handled though.

3

vtmira t1_j5s0itv wrote

My mom used to always get Lebanese Taverna. Not full catering but she would order a spread and have them send a single staffer to help with service and cleaning/dishes. Idk costs or if they still do that, but figured it was worth a mention.

3

AvatarTHW t1_j5trqv9 wrote

No such thing as getting married on a budget in DC.

3

naghallac OP t1_j5uemcf wrote

People here are careerist that don't' get married until they're 45 and then just ball out with a 100k wedding, so people look at you like an alien when you try to cut costs LOL

2

Muppet_Fitzgerald t1_j5pjbv1 wrote

How about Wagshal’s? They seem to have a lot of catering options.

2

kstinfo t1_j5px9nv wrote

A lot of restaurants that don't advertise catering would jump at the chance if you don't need waiters and waitresses.

Chipotle? Are you kidding?

2

DinosaurKevin t1_j5u7op6 wrote

Not sure if this is helpful, but doing a buffet is almost always cheaper than a plated dinner for catering. That’s my wife and I did for my wedding. Plus buffet dinners are quicker than plated ones so guests can mingle and dance more.

1

naghallac OP t1_j5uer3f wrote

yeah that 130 pp quote was a buffet lol...and their food is not worth that price even if it was plated

1

DinosaurKevin t1_j5uxger wrote

Dear lord. That’s bananas. Well I hope you’re somehow able to find an option that isn’t that much & hope the rest of the planning goes smoothly!

2

metrazol t1_j5wo30s wrote

Did you check The Knot? Found our sources there. $130pp is ridiculous.

And uh... Can I get double beans? I'd love a Chipotle catered event.

1

naghallac OP t1_j5ysh6w wrote

Yeah were thinking if we go with chipotle we're gonna ball out. XTRA beans 4 everyone

2