Budget Gourmet Appetizers for a Formal Wedding Reception
A catered wedding reception requires significant funds. Everything from the dinner to table decor costs a considerable amount of money. There are many ways to cut corners and save money without sacrificing quality and sophistication. Instead of hiring someone to prepare all of the food, cut back by preparing cold starters. Consider these budget gourmet appetizers for a formal celebration, and serve your guests the best for less.
Buy Gourmet Jarred Marinated Mushroom from a Dollar Store
When looking for budget appetizers that are cold but impressive, do not go to your local grocery store. You will pay an exorbitant amount for very little. Stop at a local dollar store instead. Most offer jarred mushrooms, whole pitted olives and many other marinated options. Serve them skewered on long decorative toothpicks in a fan-shaped arrangement on budget plastic platters that look like ceramic, stoneware or glass.
Serve Platters of Raw Veggies with Dressings from a Budget Food Store
Ready-made veggies trays are very expensive, and they are also very easy to assemble for a formal wedding reception. Buy fresh cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers in red, green and yellow, celery and baby carrots, and serve them on inexpensive plastic platters. Place gorgeous cut glass or crystal bowls of dressing in the center of each one, and arrange the veggies around them. Budget dressings can be just as tasty as gourmet brands. Shop a local food store that advertises the lowest prices, and try two of the most popular flavors. Blue cheese and ranch are ideal for dipping. If they taste great to you, others will likely think so too.
Buy Bulk Chunks of Cheese for Cubing from a Warehouse Club
Warehouse clubs sell all sorts of food in bulk. Instead of buying overpriced eight-ounce bars of cheese from a local grocery store, join a local warehouse club. Buy big blocks of cheese in a variety of gourmet flavors, and cut them into bite-size cubes. They are popular wedding appetizers. Serve them in separate rows on plastic food platters that look heavier than they are. You will be able to serve gourmet cheese for far less than a caterer would charge.
Serve Small Cups of Dry Roasted Peanuts and Butterscotch Chips
Salted caramel is the latest food fad, and for very good reason. The sweet and salty combination is absolutely delicious. When seeking ideas for cold gourmet appetizers for a wedding reception, serve a budget alternative to salted caramel treats. Assemble small cups of salted dry roasted peanuts and butterscotch baking chips. Plain paper nut cups can be found in warehouse stores and in most major craft stores that sell DIY wedding decor. Your appetizers will look great and taste even better, and you will save a considerable amount of money in the process.
Source: Food Preparation Experience and Experimentation
