DIY Food?

Maybeweweremfeo

Our guest list including immediate family is around 50 people. We are having an evening, backyard reception and catering isnt really in the budget (or the area, since the town is very small) Im thinking that BBQ steak and chicken is fitting to our reception theme and hoping with our small guest list and my Dad being a great cook this is do-able.  So I guess the question is assuming my dad doesnt mind doing the cooking , do you think this buffet type of meal (salad, rolls, potatoes, and veggies) is something we can accomplish on our own, is there anything you can forsee going wrong or that I should be aware of? Keep in mind the only guests will be immediate family and very close close friends, so a relaxed atmosphere. Any tips and advise would be great. Thanks

leahkate

I think that would be perfect! Here is a blog that I love for some inspiration. www.younghouselove.com. Check out their wedding section.

Maybeweweremfeo

Love it! I had seen that before in my search for backyard ideas. Just hoping things go as smoothly as theirs, perfect (:

Miracle520

I think you'd be fine. A lot of those items you could probably prep the day before and just do last minute finishes on the big day!

Maybeweweremfeo

Im hoping the only thing that would need to be prepped that day would be the meats and then heating up any sides that we might want.

martafitz1

I think it would be fine to do this!  I am doing a BBQ reception for around 50, but since it's a destination wedding I am hiring a caterer.  Just not sure how much time we would have to shop once we are there and how well stocked the house is going to be.  I am really excited that I found a caterer who is doing exactly what I was looking for, but it kind of kills me to know if we were at home, we could do something similar for way less money.

hannahnola

Sounds like the perfect reception! Have a great time. Pre make what you can ahead of time, have things like brownies, potato salad, etc. things you can grab and uncover.

sarabellam

You really expect the FOB to cook during his daughter's wedding reception? Do you have a way to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, so you don't give your family and very close close friends food poisoning? Have you planned the logistics of who's going to bring the food out, heat up what needs to be heated, storage for keeping everything cold, clean-up, etc?

jessicapatrick2011

We're doing this at my wedding! My grandfather is manning the grill and is extremely excited to be doing this (so, I bet there's a chance your dad won't mind!). The only hot foods were doing are the meats, as it's easier to keep the cold foods cold than keeping sides warmed. 

Everyone in my family/close circle of friends thinks it's an awesome idea. We're laid back people, so laid back food is the way to go!

Maybeweweremfeo

I planned on running it the same as one would do a backyard BBQ. Yes its a slightly larger scale but assuming everyone will sit down together to dinner I dont forsee any food poisoning since food wont be sitting out except maybe the hour or less that were eating. I doubt my dad would mind, and heck his dad and the other male family friends may very well end up crowded around the grill "helping" or chatting it up. VERY laid back, not my dad slaving away in a seperate part of the house.

codingcoder

This sounds awesome!  One thing people need to understand...Small, private weddings with the closeness of friends and family...YES, the bride can expect everyone to pitch in where necessary!  We are going to have a country wedding at our house and it will be very laid back and casual.  Cowboy boots, stirups, you name it!  We are gonna recuit a close friend of ours to BBQ as well!    Later on in the evening, we are gonna have a bonfire and a Smores station...also a hot chocolate/coffee to go station when people will be getting ready to leave for the night! Gives them a warm feeling as they depart!  It sounds awesome, again, and I will keep my fingers crossed that everything goes to plan! Congrats!