The following are a few suggestions to help control the food and beverage portion of your budget:

• Order according to past events.
• Serve continental instead of a full breakfast.
• Have self-serve rather than full-serve.
• Serve the lunch dessert as an afternoon snack.
• Use pasta or vegetarian meals.
• Use lemonade and iced tea in place of soda.
• Have a salad course only, rather than a salad and appetizer.
• Use lunch-size portions for the dinner.
• Look into finding sponsors for all or part of the event.
• Ask to use the daily special for soups and desserts.
• Use water pitchers instead of bottled water.