Catering Your Own Reception

AJDalton

Is anyone planning to cater their own reception?  What are your thoughts?

ivyrose13

I think that is extremely ambitious of you, but I do not understand how you could realistically pull it off. Are you going to be in the kitchen in your wedding gown? 

NOLAbridealmost

That seems so logistically difficult that I don't really know where to begin. 

If the idea is to cut costs, there has got to be an easier way than trying to simultaneously be the host, guest of honor, and caterer at the same time.  

kaesha

It's a bad, bad idea unless you're super organized and don't want to be mentally present at your reception and have people you can delegate to (meaning they definitely won't be kicking back and enjoying your reception). Have you cooked/served for large groups before?

COLDSUTHERN

My family and my Fiance's family is helping in making the food. We are doing heavy appts. So its working out pretty good. Ive been to plenty where it was not hired in catering and the food is always better lol

ashynich

My mom wanted to do this. I told her she was crazy. 

SharayahShay

This is what we're doing for our wedding as well. Two of my FMIL's cousins make it their tradition when family gets married to be the cooks for the wedding--they consider it their gift to the bride and groom.

The cousins will be set up in the kitchen at the reception area and will be assisted by other family members with setting everything up (we're having a taco bar!). So no, I won't be in the kitchen helping in my dress (I'm sure food would still show up on my black gown), but this saved us sooo much money, and since it's worked before, I'm sure it'll be great!

KaitlinRich

We are not having a fully blown meal at our reception, just some decorated tables with dessert and snackish foods (breads... long story). But I am making my cake. Yes, my mom has told me this will be extremely stressful but I am a perfectionist and doubt anyone could make it to my liking. (I have made several wedding cakes before) But my best advise would be to PLAN EVERYTHING before you start! For me it has helped to draw detailed sketches of the food, presentation, and tables to get an idea and help me better explain it to my family who will help with the set-up.

Nutmeg112

My sister did this and it worked out great! It was a huge money saver as well. We had her wedding at my parent's house and myself, my mother, and some other guests were in chrage of the food. We cooked and set it all up and I don't remember it being a distraction for us at all because we each had one small duty assigned to us. She had a main course pig roast, which made up for the fact that the rest of the dishes were more potluck-ish. I am planning my wedding in June and plan do our catering much the same way.

doeie04

Family will be cooking mine. I will be busy with the wedding. I think it might be too much if YOU were planning to do it all, unless there are a small number of people coming and you cooked it all before the day of.

AbbeyS2011

We will be doing our own food also.  One of my FSIL will be in charge and will help me plan the menu, but I will not be doing any of the serving.  She volunteered to do it, and I gladly accepted. 

orangecrush32

My sister was going to do this, but my parents sat her down and convinced her that it was a bad idea. She was basically going to be asking me, our sister, mom, two aunts, two cousins to be her slaves for the day. She ended up using a site with a catering service and while the food wasn't spectacular, everyone was able to relax and have a good time.

AbbyAlex

My parents are catering mine. They used to own a catering company and offered the day after I got engaged. I told them money was not an issue and we could afford it but my mom feels like it's part of her motherly duties which I am so okay with. Both my parents are amazing cooks. I know that the food will be ten times better than any caterer. My mom is making all the side dishes and my dad and my fiance's dad are making the main course ( fried chicken ). The meal part of the reception is only the first hour and a half. After that they can enjoy the reception with the rest of the guests.

If you want to it can certainly be done. Just plan well and you'll be just fine.

missfarar

FMIL offered to cater our reception for up to 100 guests. She has about 60-70 family members over multiple times during the year for holidays, so she is more than prepared.

Lucky for her, we're only having 35 guests. At this point, we are planning on doing tea sandwiches with homemade fruit/veggie/cheese platters, potato salad, chips & dip. Our ceremony is at 11am, and 35 people do not require a lot of food (compared to 100+ guests, of course). All of our choices can be made the day before (fruit will be cut up that morning).