Should I do this

Sydney91

I was planning to make saskatoon berry jam for each of our 100 guests as a favour and then they could double as place cards. The math works out to 4.5 gallons of berries that I need to pick. Then cook down into jam. I had planned to enlist help from a family friend, but he's been injured and may not be able to help anymore. I'm not sure how long his recovery will be and to what point he will recover to. This friend is a seasoned expert at making jam, and I am a lowly beginner. I may ask another family friend to help me who doesn't make as good of jam, but is an expert nonetheless. I also have to work this summer at a new job on top of making these 8 batches of jam. Am I taking on too much? My biggest concern is the two-week window I have to pick 4.5 gallons of berries. I can always freeze them and make the jam up another time, but I am pulling worry-wart duty. And this all relies on mother nature letting the berries develop this year!

Avion22

I think you'll be okay.  This is definitely something you can do ahead of time, so as long as you have time to do it before the wedding you should be fine.

Is there any way you can get the recipe from the injured friend, then get the other friend to help you make all of the jam?  Also, would it be possible to purchase the berries somewhere like a local farm or fruit-stand so you don't have to pick 4.5 gallons of berries yourself?

Sydney91

Thanks for the vote of confidence! It's exactly what I need at the moment. They sell for 3.99/pint for the domesticated variety, which are nowhere near the quality of wild saskatoons, which just happen to grow in my folk's backyard. The trouble comes with booking time off from work on short notice to get the berries. Hopefully my boss will be understanding!