Home-made wedding food

holliglow

I was wondering if anyone had provided their own wedding food. We are on a tight budget and just don't think we can afford a caterer. Our families have offered to help, so all the cooking would be shared between me, fiance, and family members. We are having a casual spring wedding and would like to have a dinner including two meats, maybe a pasta, two sides or a salad, bread, and possibly fruit tray and cheeses. Serving about 100 people. Did anyone feel they saved a lot of money by providing their own food? Worth the trouble? Thank you in advance.

pokepoke27

I would not reccommend this. At all. Have you ever cooked for 100 people? Even with help, it's very difficult. There are so many things that you will need to worry about on your wedding day. Don't let this be one of them. 

If you really can not afford to cater for your guests, consider having a wedding during a non meal time. That way after the ceremony, you can have a "cake and punch" reception. Which only means that you serve cake and beverages (not nessecarily punch) and maybe a few snack platters. 

You could also consider having a morning wedding, then surving brunch at the reception. 

mrsfrontrunner

I'm using a caterer and on a tight budget as well... 

http://www.aeandmycatering.com/

She's been awesome about working with me on prices and menus.  Honestly, if you can afford to do $10 or so a person, check her out.  The quote she gave me was around $12 a person with gratuity and tax.  All the food I've had has been delicious as well. 

Good luck with your planning!

peachy2012

I have to agree with the other ladies b/c I thought of doing this as well but then I realized I don't want to add extra pressure and be tired with bags under my eyes trying to make sure everything went well with the food. If your family is willing to do it all without your assistance them maybe, but depending on the type of food you like you can get it cheap. If your venue doesn't mind homemade food I'm sure they wont mind food from small restaurants. We were going to go with the honey baked turkey from the honey baked ham place and sides from somewhere else. Then our venue told us it had to come from a real catering company.

Lemonqueen

That just seems like it would be pretty stressful. Perhaps just find someone that will prepare the food and then you can worry only about the serving and presentation part. We are planning on using the Olive Tree in Hiram for our rehearsal dinner food and my FIL is just going to pick it all up and then we are setting it up buffet style at the house.

holliglow

Thank you all so much, very insightful! I guess my fiance's mother was making it sound too easy!

HAUGABROOK818

we used Dollison Creative Events they were very reasonable and great food for a budget wedding. I believe around $10-12 pp

ivedonethisb4

This is late, BUT. I get married in 12 days and we ARE doing all the food for the rehearsal AND reception. 40 people at the rehearsal. Our menu is lasagna, salad, dinner rolls and I'll do something as desert..pie most likely. For the reception we are expecting 200!!!! The menu for that is traditiona southern bbq, baked beans, slaw, potato salad, and bread. The meat will be cooked the morning of but everything else in the 2 days before. We are also having a keg and hunch punch as our alcolholic beverage choices. Along with tea, water and a few kid friendly choices. Don't be scared of doing it. We were offered 6.00 a person by a local restaurant but FFIL said we could do it cheaper! I doubt its any cheaper but they were paying so I didn't get a say so! I know several people who did their own food and never had problems! Good Luck!