Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/508032
realweddings.ca 19 Food, Glorious Food If you've set your heart on prawns, lobster or beef tenderloin, but your budget won't permit such pricey entrées, consider incorporating them into hors d'oeuvres instead. "You still get the taste and the luxury this way, but you get to keep it in small portions," Lykkemark says. Avoiding super-expensive items and selecting lower-cost substitutes is another good way to trim your budget. Beef short rib could stand in for tenderloin, or arctic char for sableœsh. And for dessert? You might want to rethink that lavish wedding cake. Many couples are now choosing mason-jar desserts, a popular boho-chic trend, notes Lykkemark. No need to completely forfeit the cake, though. "A pretty, small, six-inch cake is a good substitute and can be dramatic, still giving you a cake to cut for the photographs." And instead of paying for sta' to serve co'ee at each table, have a co'ee and tea station set up so guests can help themselves. Bar Talk "You can save a lot of money at the bar if you keep it simple," says Lykkemark. "As soon as you have a full bar you'll have a lot of liquor that's opened but not completely used, and a lot of di'erent styles of glassware that have to be rented." Take, for example, the traditional champagne toast, a time during which guests often forget about the drink they were consuming before the bubbly emerged. Lykkemark suggests serving only wine, beer and perhaps a signature cocktail. Other ways to keep bar expenses down are by implementing a cash bar, or giving guests four drink tickets and the option of a cash bar when those tickets are used up. "Cash bars help control alcohol consumption," she explains. Venue Smarts Choosing a venue that includes some equipment can reduce the dollars you might otherwise have to spend on rentals. Says Wadsworth: "Community centres are incredible value, especially in Vancouver. ‰ey're a little more relaxed and often have parking, kitchens, tables and chairs in place. We love catering at the community centres at Coal Harbour, the Roundhouse, False Creek and West Point Grey." And if your venue permits you to bring your own liquor, you can also eliminate the considerable (often 200 per cent) markup on alcoholic beverages charged by hotels and restaurants. We'll drink to that! rw Dushan Floral.indd 1 14-09-22 9:19 AM