For a summer wedding, trays of vegetables with dip, fruit and cheese cubes worked well. One of the bridesmaids lopped off the top of fresh pineapples and nestled a votive candle in the center of the leaves for instant candle holders on the food table.

The cake can also cut into the budget. We surveyed prices at several bakeries and groceries and chose a friend who offered her services for free if I provided the ingredients. She showed us photos of cakes she had done before and we showed her pictures of what we wanted. The result was beautiful and tasty. I hired six teenage friends of my children to serve at the reception and gave them written directions. One of their mothers came along to direct and their efforts were flawless. We did have leftover food, lots of leftovers. Some went home with guests. Some returned to my freezer. An entire sheet cake, several gallons of punch and plates of cookies went to a local soup kitchen which feeds the homeless. They were thrilled to have the donation for their Christmas eve party.