In over our heads?

faith4389

My fiance and I are planning to have a December wedding and chose a venue that comes with a discounted caterer. However, we tried the food and it wasn't so great... But we also don't want to spend a ton of money to find another caterer.

To help us out, my FMIL offered to do all the cooking with her sisters, which is great! But now we have finished the guest list and there will be between 150 and 200 guests. Is it going to be too much for her to handle? Should I just try to get a caterer? If not, any suggestions on foods that could be easy to make a lot of?

Frogger5

That is a lot of people to cook for! I don't even know how caterers do it

So, I was at a low-key wedding this past weekend, and we had shaved ham and turkey sandwiches (hot), potato and pasta salads, fresh fruit and vegetable platters, and that's about it. It was so tasty, though! The ham and turkey was sliced/shaved the night before and put back in the fridge, and then just before the ceremony it was put in huge roasters and was ready when we were. The buns were pre-cut by the bakery. So, if you're into something like this, where food can be made ahead and just prepared/heated up at the last minute (and if the venue has things like a lot of refrigerator space and roasters - this one was in a church with a well-stocked kitchen), and also if you're cool with a relaxed buffet sort of deal, I think it could be done. If you're asking whether it's reasonable to have your family prepare things like a caterer typically would serve at a wedding, then I think that it's really not. They might have offered without thinking how much work it would be, and also given that they aren't caterers and don't know how to pull something like this off, probably the food really wouldn't turn out all that well when the guests are eating it. I mean that it's hard to keep everything hot and cooked the right amount, but not too much, etc., so things are bound to be cold or dry . . . I don't really know the situation, though - maybe your family does have experience with this sort of thing and it would be awesome! Just too bad the cooks won't be able to enjoy the celebration, too.

ajroark

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_over-heads?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:6483b107-8bcf-4920-8934-31b62e593d01Post:807c5a0c-b365-47e0-a3fd-ffff86a43d79">In over our heads?</a>:
[QUOTE]My fiance and I are planning to have a December wedding and chose a venue that comes with a discounted caterer. However, we tried the food and it wasn't so great... But we also don't want to spend a ton of money to find another caterer. To help us out, my FMIL offered to do all the cooking with her sisters, which is great! But now we have finished the guest list and there will be between 150 and 200 guests. Is it going to be too much for her to handle? Should I just try to get a caterer? If not, any suggestions on foods that could be easy to make a lot of?
Posted by faith4389[/QUOTE]

That is definitely a LOT of people to cook for, but I think it can be done if she makes something simple. For example, pasta (especially lasagna) can be made in large trays and served buffet-style. You could also hire a caterer to do just a main dish and your FMIL can make the salad, appetizers, side dishes, etc.

GoodLuckBear14

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_over-heads?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:6483b107-8bcf-4920-8934-31b62e593d01Post:807c5a0c-b365-47e0-a3fd-ffff86a43d79">In over our heads?</a>:
[QUOTE]My fiance and I are planning to have a December wedding and chose a venue that comes with a discounted caterer. However, we tried the food and it wasn't so great... But we also don't want to spend a ton of money to find another caterer. To help us out, my FMIL offered to do all the cooking with her sisters, which is great! But now we have finished the guest list and there will be between 150 and 200 guests. Is it going to be too much for her to handle? Should I just try to get a caterer? If not, any suggestions on foods that could be easy to make a lot of?
Posted by faith4389[/QUOTE]

First, I would check to see if the venue will allow any food brought in.

Second, if they do, I would hire a caterer.  I know some people are fans of having their families make the food but there are a lot of health and legal liability risks that go with this (and nobody ever thinks it will happen at their wedding or that their friends or family will sue.  Guess what.  They do). 

031107

Ask you MIL if she and her sisters can do it or if too many guests are invited for her comfort level.
 
Remember, when you are at the ceremony the carterer is setting up, heating food, tossing salads, making trays...  Is your MIL or sisters willing to miss the wedding to do this?  Do you really want any of your guests to miss the ceremony to do this?

samanthajeremy

I would if possible money wise, find another caterer.  I've catered before with my families restaurant and you really have no idea how much work it is until you're already in too deep.  Including who will serve the food and the worst part, clean up!  Besides the work, that time spent in the kitchen should be spent enjoying all the wedding festivities and being with family. 

amyderrah

I like the idea of getting a caterer for the main course.  If your family still feels able, they can make deserts and some appetizers for the time before dinner.  If they keep it to cold things that they can make en-mass it could be alright.  Deserts could be made a few weeks before then frozen fresh and taken out to thaw the day of the wedding (cookies and squares).  If you still want the fam to cook for you, look into a pig roast (I don't know how formal your wedding is).  I was thinking about doing this.  You can hire someone with a giant BBQ to come and slow cook a full pig, then your family can make all the sides.  It was a really cheep and fun option that I got excited about but we ended up going with an all-inclusive venue (it was easier). 

Have you considered having an afternoon wedding reception with just cake, drinks, and snacks?  You could focus on having better quality food, just in small bite sizes.  And there's always evening weddings around sunset, then a reception after.

faith4389

Thank you everyone for your advice. I'm definitely leaning toward getting a caterer. I like the idea of having my FMIL make SOME things like appetizers and such but then letting someone else do the major work. Our venue does allow for outside food, but I'm not sure what their policies are regarding using their kitchen and all that. Seems like it may be less hassle to just have someone else worry about all that.