Hiring People! Scared! Frustrated! Confused!

MrsG2B83

Okay, so my FI and I are thinking about self-catering (maybe group catering sounds better; a lot of our family and friends are volunteering to help prepare and store food). But I don't want to cross over into possible tackiness by having family and friends warm up and put out the food. (I've been TOLD it's tacky; I'm not 100% sure it is). I would have no problem hiring some people to do set up the buffet. But.....how do I do that.

MsBunny312

I don't think this is tacky at all. I hate that word because it generally means that people are judging you, and judgemental people are no fun in my book.

As long as you know what you are getting into, and are confident you can pull it off, go for it. It is definitely something you will need help with, but if you have family and friends willing to help, you are all set. Make sure everyone has clearly defined duties. Plan your menu to allow for as much pre-wedding prep as possible. Appetizers and desserts are a lot easier than a sit down dinner. Buffets are the next step up from apps and desserts. Try to aim for a mixture of temperatures of food. If you try to serve everything warm or hot, it will become a logistical nightmare. Budget in some cold or room-temp foods. Also consider what your on-site facilities will be when doing the final prep. And gather more serving dishes and utensils than you think you'll need.

MrsG2B83

What a comfort! My FI has a HUGE Mexican family and everybody always wants to help. They gave us most of our ceremony accessories and schooled me on all the cultural stuff I was confused about and his mother's even paying for our hall rental (if the price is right).

Every party of theirs I go to, whether it's a wedding or a quincenera or a birthday party, the family is not satisified to just sit down. They're always tending bar or playing DJ or something. The last family wedding I went to, I was helping box up the extra food! I wasn't offended at all; I was just happy to help.

My family's in Wisconsin so they can't do much, but my mom's friend was just telling me that she wishes we were in town because she'd be happy to help (she catered her own small backyard wedding)

I'm asking my FI to ask around. I'm not in the family yet. LOL.

imtaken07

Don't get upset. If people want to help, by all means, let them do it. We have many friends and family helping us and it's great. We are saving on many things and can afford to get other things we though we could not have. Times are tough and we all know everything helps.

MsBunny312

If you are really serious about it, I suggest reading the blogs of some women who have self-catered their wedding. They are a good place to start when trying to figure out menu, amount of food, set up, clean up, etc.

truthhurts

Not tacky at all.  In fact, I really like that idea.  It gives the whole event a "warm" feeling.  It's nice that the family all wants to be involved.  Let them!  and boo to judgemental people who say it's tacky.