15 Cheap Wedding Food Ideas for a Crowd

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Planning a wedding on a budget doesn’t mean you have to skimp on the food. Plenty of delicious and affordable options can make your big day memorable and satisfying for all your guests. Here are 15 cheap wedding food ideas that will surely be a hit without breaking the bank!

I’m not the complete expert on wedding ideas but I have planned and helped plan several weddings that cost less than $1000 for the entire wedding…food and all. Almost unheard of in this day and age! My own wedding’s total cost was about $500.

Since it’s almost “wedding season” again, I thought I’d share some cheap wedding food ideas for those of you still in the planning stages. I hope these wedding reception food ideas for buffet tables and family-style meals will help you focus on the joy of the day instead of the stress of the $$.

Table of Contents

Taco Bar

Set up a DIY taco bar for a fun and interactive dining experience. Guests can customize their tacos with a variety of toppings, making them a hit for all ages and dietary preferences.

Who doesn’t love tacos? For an extra touch, have little Homemade Taco Seasoning “party gifts” for your guests.

Pasta Station

A pasta station with several volunteers serving guests allows for customization and a touch of elegance. (Even though pasta is inexpensive!)

Choose a few simple sauces, toppings, and pasta types for an affordable and fun gourmet experience. You can also offer gluten-free pasta for guests with allergies.

Here’s a delicious Marinara Sauce and Alfredo Sauce recipe that is super frugal!

BBQ Buffet

A BBQ buffet with smoked meats and classic sides like chips, coleslaw, baked potatoes, and baked beans is perfect for a laid-back or outdoor wedding. It’s hearty, delicious and easy on the wallet.

This type of food is perfect if you want to be able to serve a heartier meal, and BBQ dishes will be a favorite for most people’s taste buds.

Brunch Spread

Hosting a morning or early afternoon wedding? A brunch wedding spread with waffle and omelet stations, fruit platters, and pastries can be fun and cost-effective.

Here are some Breakfast Food ideas.

Food Trucks

Hiring food trucks is a trendy and affordable way to offer a variety of cuisines. Guests will enjoy exploring different flavors, and the casual setup can add a festive atmosphere to your reception.

You can hire food trucks where you pay for the food at the end of the wedding or have the guest pay for their own food. This can be a good option if you have a very large number of people attending the wedding and have limited places to prepare food.

Charcuterie Boards

Elegant charcuterie boards with a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts are perfect for guests to graze on. They make for a beautiful and budget-friendly addition to any wedding.

The nice thing about charcuterie boards is that they can be totally customized based on the preferences you have or the food needs of the wedding guests. This can be helpful if you have a large number or vegetarians or vegans attending the reception.

Slider Station

A slider station with mini burgers pulled pork, or veggie patties allows guests to enjoy bite-sized treats. Offer a range of toppings for a customizable and cost-effective meal.

Sliders are a good way to have a slightly heartier meal and can be a good idea if your wedding reception takes place over suppertime.

Soup and Salad Bar

A soup and salad bar with fresh, seasonal ingredients and a selection of artisan breads can be a light and inexpensive meal option, perfect for any wedding.

This is a nice option for a light meal. For an extra special touch, make Homemade Salad Dressings.

Dessert Buffet

Instead of a traditional wedding cake, opt for a dessert buffet with an array of sweets like cupcakes, cookies, and fruit tarts. It’s a delightful and budget-friendly way to end the meal.

Here’s my page on Frugal Dessert Recipes. Don’t forget to have ice cream too!

Grilled Cheese and Soup

Offer a grilled cheese and soup station for a cozy and inexpensive meal option. These comfort food classics are sure to warm hearts and bring smiles.

This is a great option for a winter wedding. This is also really fun because you can make the grilled cheese sandwiches as simple or as fancy as you’d like and people will still love them!

Mediterranean Table

A Mediterranean mezze table with hummus, baba ganoush, olives, and pita bread is a refreshing and wallet-friendly way to offer a variety of flavors to your guests.

Other Mediterranean finger foods, fruits, and vegetables would also do well here, like figs, cherry tomatoes, lamb meatballs, and other light food fare.

Smores Bar

An outdoor wedding calls for a s’mores bar! Set up fire pits or sterno cans for roasting marshmallows, and offer a selection of chocolates and graham crackers for a sweet DIY treat.

This is a perfect way to end the day if you have your wedding later in the evening. You could make a variety of Homemade Graham Cracker flavors for fun.

Gourmet Popcorn Bar

A gourmet popcorn bar with flavors ranging from classic butter to more adventurous options like truffle parmesan or cinnamon sugar is a fun and inexpensive snack for guests to enjoy.

Here’s a list of our favorite Homemade Popcorn Seasonings to get you started.

Homemade Pie Station

Embrace rustic charm with a homemade pie station. Offer a variety of pies, from fruit-filled to savory, for a comforting and cost-effective dessert or meal option.

This can be a really fun option if your wedding reception is in the afternoon and a full meal isn’t needed.

Breakfast for Dinner

Who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner? Serve up pancakes, eggs, bacon, and more for a fun and affordable twist on the traditional wedding meal. Serve more elegant breakfast foods like salmon and French toast for something a little more upscale.

The Most Frugal Wedding Food Option

While this is sometimes frowned upon in some wedding circles, having a potluck wedding can really help when the budget is very tight or non-existent. In this scenario, you can ask your wedding guests to bring their favorite meal.

For many guests, this is a wonderful way to show their love for the bride and groom and can be very special. If you are on a very tight budget, you might want to consider this option.

These wedding feast ideas prove that you can offer your guests a memorable and delicious experience without overspending. From fun food stations to cozy comfort foods, there are many wedding menu options to fit your wedding style and budget. These will help you focus more on the wedding day than on what you have to spend for your wedding guests.

I hope that these choices inspire you and help you have a less stressful time planning!

More Frugal Living Ideas

Did you choose any of these cheap wedding food ideas for your own wedding? What did you have?

Merissa Alink

Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple and frugal life on Little House Living since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to freedom on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.

This article with Cheap Wedding Food Ideas was originally published on Little House Living in February 2024.