Tell me I'm crazy (long)

MeaganR12

So originally for our RD we were going to go to this asian fusion restaurant that has a private room. We have about 40 people if we include our wedding party, immediate family, and grandparents. The total for that amount of people with their cheapest package + taxes + service charge is about $1200. More than we wanted to spend but by far the least expensive option in the area. 

Ideally we would like to include all of our OOT which could potentially be quite a few more because FI and his family are from Denver This was looking to be REALLY expensive if we went to a restaurant. I'm not close to anyone with a house big enough to fit all of us (thanks bay area real estate) so the other day I had an idea to do it at a park with picnic tables. 

I looked into having it catered at a city park and it really wasn't going to be that much cheaper with a caterer. So then I thought, why don't we just do the food ourselves. We could grill burgers and hot dogs and get store bought potato/egg salad, I could bake cookies and stuff a few days before, we could actually afford to serve alcohol, and we can invite all of our OOT guests. 

So my question is, am I crazy if I do this? Is this just way too much to take on? I like the idea because it's different than any RD dinner I've been to, it'll save us $$, and we can invite more people. I'm sure we'll get help from people, but no one has volunteered and from the beginning I didn't want to make anyone 'work' the weekend of the wedding. 

ceglare4

I think this sounds like a good idea as long as you have people help you out. Preparing food for that many people, even picnic food, would be a huge time commitment and likely pretty stressful right before the wedding. But I was in a wedding two years ago and this was exactly what they did for their RD and it worked perfectly, so it is doable. But I know that many, many people pitched in to help out for that RD.

singing_lyn

If you think you can do it I would. We're actually going to do a barbeque and all that at my parents house for the RD because both my FI's parents have passed and so we're paying for it ourselves and we have large families, so we'll have help, and that way we can have a relaxing night with our families and not stress about anything. Plus we'll probably have quite a few kids around and if it's warm enough we can have a water balloon fight or let them play in a sprinkler or something. I've never been to a super formal RD so I figured no one would have an issue with a barbeque.

bridetobe71412

You can of course do it, but just think about the last minute stuff you're going to need to be doing for the wedding and decide if you REALLY want to be grilling hot dogs the day before your wedding. I wouldn't want to be, but I'm a total stressball, so you might feel differently.

I think it's fun to include all OOT guests, though. I wish we could.

mekiakoo

I think you probably can do this as long as you have people helping you out! This sounds like a lot of fun!

MeaganR12

Yeah, everything you girls mentioned is exactly what I'm afraid of. I think I'll talk to my parents and FI's parents and see if they think it's too much. My FI's whole immediate family is going to be here the week before the wedding and they said they want to help so if they can pitch in I think we can make it work. I just hate asking for help :-/

Madisonpenny

What your asking is a good idea is exactly what we are doing, so yes meagan I think it's a great idea

Rebis58

I think it's a good idea, especially if you think people will help out. FI's mom and step dad recently bought a new house (their previous house wouldn't have had the space) and offered to let us use their home to host the rehearsal dinner. We plan to do simple burgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers, serve salads, and have wine, beer and pop. 

Just the way our families are, I know that the men will band together to grill the burgers/hot dogs, my mom and MIL will help me prepare salads in advance and set anything up for the guests, everyone will help with cleanup. I'm actually excited for a more casual feel to the evening, it's more our style.

Nati05

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_tell-me-im-crazy-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:087cc6d4-dd1e-49a1-838e-3d5d0e7bc768Post:6a658da2-7e2e-4f83-9a1c-5891ba8c1e87">Re: Tell me I'm crazy (long)</a>:
[QUOTE]I think this sounds like a good idea as long as you have people help you out. Preparing food for that many people, even picnic food, would be a huge time commitment and likely pretty stressful right before the wedding. But I was in a wedding two years ago and this was exactly what they did for their RD and it worked perfectly, so it is doable. But I know that many, many people pitched in to help out for that RD.
Posted by ceglare4[/QUOTE]

This exactly to a t! And I think you have a good idea, talk to your family/ friends and see what help you might or might not have, suggestions, tips etc. Doing a picnic RD sounds like a blast, I really hope it works out! :)

littlemoments324

This is exactly what we're doing...we have around 40 people as well...My parent's house isn't that big...maybe 1200-1500sq.ft...they have a nice deck & a large family room...We're grilling brats from our fav. brat place up there...my mom's awesome bean dip & party potatoes...I'm surprising FI with an awesome groom's cake!! Nothing special! 

michelle11988

We are doing the same thing at my parent's house.  They offered it up so we could invite all of our OOT guests as well which is basically FI's whole family.  It will probably end up being at least 40 people if not more since our WP is almost 20 people.  My parents love hosting BBQ's and I'll probably drive my grill up so we can have 2 going and all the men will handle that probably.  I know my mom will make all the salads before hand so when we get back from the rehersal we'll pull it all out and just start grilling.

owengirl996

It's a great idea! I'd love to do the same thing, but we're just doing an informal RD at a local Mexican restaurant. I don't know that it will be much more expensive, and I won't have to do the work lol I do think it is totally possible, though! I didn't read through all of the replies, but my concern (for myself anyway) would be any last minute decorating you might need to do that evening. We only have Friday evening to decorate, so I'm planning to start as soon as they let us in, then do our rehersal, go to dinner, and go back to finish decorating. I know I will have tons of help though, so I'm not too worried.

You'll definitely need some assistance...don't take it on completely by yourself!!