Backyard Wedding Non-catered Menu

Bethanne1202

What are you having or plan to have?  Logistics?

I am thinking of some stuff on the grill.  Some nice burgers, pig, roast beef, or something along those lines?  I am trying to figure out the logistics of it all?  I guess it would be similar to a buffet? 

How did it work out for you?  How many people?

Avion22

Yeah, maybe go for steaks, grilled chicken, pork loin, or whatever you want.  You might be able to get a good deal on meat at Sams or Costco, then just go with what looks good.  Burgers and brats are okay...easier to eat becuase you don't need a knife or fork, but you are also likely to get ketchup or mustard all over your clothes....so if you have room for your guests to sit while they eat, I would go with something they can eat with a knife and fork.

Do have someone who can act as "grillmaster"??  Do you intend to have everything cooking during the reception, or have it all done and kept warm until it's time to eat?   You may want to ask a friend to be your grillmaster so you guys don't have to worry about it.

Bethanne1202

Yea, we are getting tables and chairs for everyone and a big tent. We will probably prep everything ahead of time.  But I dont want to have too much made beforehand and have it taste reheated.  We are going to try to do a lot of cold appetizers.  So there will be something to eat during a "cocktail hour" type thing while food is cooking. 

mattsdorothy

I would make the equivalent of a buffet line with the meat at the end. I like the idea of having a grill -master. You could put him or her at the end of the line, with the other meat options (see below) and people could choose from what is on the grill or what is already set out.

You might consider doing a large batch of both pulled pork and BBQ brisket in crock pots.
1) You can cook it ahead of time
2) It can cook for a long time without attention
3) It's really easy to serve buffet-style.

I like your idea of having higher end meat options. I think you could do the stuffed chicken breasts they sell at Sam's (yum!) and maybe some pork loin and beef tenderloin (also sold, pre-marinated at Sam's).
GL!

Avion22

This sounds awesome!  I love backyard barbecues.  You guys are going to have a lot of fun :-)

jyllyen

Ditto to mattsdorothy. And for sides, you can do all made ahead things... biscuits, coleslaw, rice and beans, salad, etc. 

Yum!

Bethanne1202

Yea, I am excited.  We were initially planning a wedding at an aquarium.  We were going to pay nearly 15,000 for appetizers.  We decided to re-evaluate what was important and we are now planning something that is much more our style.

bart5381

I am planning something similar- with bbq brisket, potato salad etc. I was shocked at the excitement from family who wanted to help! It has almost turned into a potluck! my uncle was pleased that I asked him to be the grill master, and my soon to be aunt was flattered to be asked to help!
My main question is Money- all the 'helpers/cooks' live in different areas. I don't want them to pay for the food and ingredients, that they will buy and prepare well before hand- but is it tacky to 'reimburse' after all is said and done?

Avion22

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_backyard-wedding-non-catered-menu?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:666Discussion:08390675-04b1-44f8-be5c-31a44ffd7c3ePost:5cbbdb6d-6644-4ee9-9934-23deb83cb185">Re: Backyard Wedding Non-catered Menu</a>:
[QUOTE]I am planning something similar- with bbq brisket, potato salad etc. I was shocked at the excitement from family who wanted to help! It has almost turned into a potluck! my uncle was pleased that I asked him to be the grill master, and my soon to be aunt was flattered to be asked to help! My main question is Money- all the 'helpers/cooks' live in different areas. <strong>I don't want them to pay for the food and ingredients, that they will buy and prepare well before hand- but is it tacky to 'reimburse' after all is said and done?
</strong>Posted by bart5381[/QUOTE]

If they have offered, I would just graciously accept.  If, however, they will be using your kitchen to cook the food, since you're closer, then I would offer to buy whatever ingredients they need.

medusia00

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_backyard-wedding-non-catered-menu?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:666Discussion:08390675-04b1-44f8-be5c-31a44ffd7c3ePost:5cbbdb6d-6644-4ee9-9934-23deb83cb185">Re: Backyard Wedding Non-catered Menu</a>:
[QUOTE]I am planning something similar- with bbq brisket, potato salad etc. I was shocked at the excitement from family who wanted to help! It has almost turned into a potluck! my uncle was pleased that I asked him to be the grill master, and my soon to be aunt was flattered to be asked to help! <strong>My main question is Money-</strong> all the 'helpers/cooks' live in different areas. I don't want them to pay for the food and ingredients, that they will buy and prepare well before hand- but is it tacky to 'reimburse' after all is said and done?
Posted by bart5381[/QUOTE]

So for all of the people that are helping you, before the wedding you need to send them money to get the ingredients. That will be the easiest way to stay on budget and the easiest way to not have everyone paying themselves.

gulletesgurl11

We are haveing a beach wedding and then reception to follow at my in-laws house in the back yard. we were looking at pulled pork and salads (pasta and potato). we wont something that is a quick it so everyone has something in there stomach before drinking. our wedding is an adults only wedding does this sound like a good plan???

iluvmy0341

That's what we're doing. Chicken on the spit and some burgers and hot dogs. It's going to be over 4th of July, so we wanted all the traditional southern BBQ type foods :-) It's going to be buffet style. We also have less than 100 people attending.

trinalo

Sounds delicious! We were going to do something similar but ended up having a taco bar instead, with various side dishes. The meat and beans were pre-cooked and kept in crock pots for warmth. Everything else was in bowls over ice and it was done buffet-style. People said they loved it and we served about 100 people successfuly.

As far as money, I agree that you should send your helpers money beforehand to cover the cost.

jess9802

I would think very carefully about the grilling aspect of this. Look at the capacity of the grill(s) you will be able to use. A professional grill might have 1400+ sq. inches of cooking space; most home grills will be in the 400-600 sq. inch range. If you don't have a commercial grill, the cooking time for all of your food is going to be extended, unless you prepare most of it ahead of time, which isn't ideal for meat.

BBQ is some of the most affordable food to have catered, and given the logistics of who's going to man the grills and how long it might take to get all of your guests served, I'd give serious consideration to farming this one out if you'd like to do steaks, chicken, etc. and have never hosted such a large BBQ before.

novaofsweden

I'm having a backyard wedding too. At first we were going to do something similar with bbq but with 60 guests it just seemed too complicated. So I found a drop off caterer that will just deliver and set up a buffet for about $25/person.