Making my own food

Dorothy90 · June 2011

I am on a very tight budget for my wedding. We are going to have the reception at 2:00 instead of later so that we can do hors d'eouvres instead of a dinner. I have found that buying those will cost just about as much as having a BBQ dinner, so I am thinking about making the food myself. I need to feed 50-75 people and was wondering if anyone has done this before? Also does anyone have any suggestions for easy things to make? Thanks!

jessicabessica · June 2011

I've made potstickers before with the wonton wrappers you buy in the produce section. I've also had some tasty items made in the phyllo cups you buy frozen--I've never worked with them myself, but it could be an easy way to make some nice hot hors d'oeurves (or you could make little salad cups).

Platters of veggies and dip and cheese and crackers are fairly easy to throw together.

We're having shooters of cold fruit soup (strawberry and blueberry), but I've also been to an event where you served yourself a teacup of soup (I think they had carrot and strawberry). That would be pretty easy to prepare in advance and would look pretty.

If you belong to a place like Costco, you could check out what kind of frozen hors d'oeurves they have--maybe some mini quiches or spanikopita--and what their pricing is like.

NOLAbridealmost · June 2011

I think it's pretty intimidating to handle the catering for your own event. There are so many considerations aside from merely preparing the stuff ahead of time: to to keep hot things hot and cold things cold, food safety issues, clearing dirty plates and dishes from tables, etc.

Have you looked into non-traditional catering like popular BBQ restaurants in your area? Maybe they could provide the BBQ meats and sides that need to be kept at a certain temperature and you could supplement their food with your own rolls, cheese and crackers, etc.

Dorothy90 · June 2011

I love pot stickers, and I really like the soup idea! Thank you!

tldh · June 2011

Please try to find a caterer. As a bride who did nearly everything for her wedding, including on her wedding day, I can tell you that you don't have as much time as you think. Add to that the logistics of keeping hot food hot and cold food cold and the very real possibility of someone getting food poisoning. That opens you up to lawsuits (and believe me, I've had people walk into my office wanting to sue over much less).

Dorothy90 · June 2011

I would love to have a caterer, but I really can't afford that. There is a kitchen on location so it shouldn't be a problem keeping the temps right. Do you really think it would be that bad? I'll be lucky to have 75 people show up, so it won't be that much food.

sarabellam · June 2011

Yes, it will be that bad. Have you ever cooked for even 50 people? Who's going to heat, serve, clean up... the logistics of doing this yourself make me shudder. I made my own cake, and that was stress enough. If I added in all of the other food too. Don't do that to yourself.

Miracle520 · June 2011

Could you do an Italian style platter? Some marinated peppers, a little nice cheese, a little prosciutto (pricey but you wouldn't need a ton), some salami, some crackers, olives. Bruschetta on toast points. I love bacon wrapped dates and they're easy. Maybe potato skins? Lil smokies in BBQ?

Dorothy90 · June 2011

I hadn't even considered Italian. Thanks!

NOLAbridealmost · June 2011

I am sorry to continue to be a Debby Downer, but catering yourself is a really bad call unless you're planning to do a cake and punch reception (which is perfectly fine!).

It's a lot harder than you can possibly imagine. Especially when you're in the midst of getting married! There is so much to do without worrying about cooking.

Are there ANY places you can cut back? Have you looked into getting less expensive items from a local restaurant? Believe me, you can go with a restaurant rather than a "caterer" for a lot less.

Good luck!

shugamegan · June 2011

Be weary of doing your own food.

If it was 20 to 25 people, that woudn't be that bad, but 50 to 75 is A LOT of people and a lot of food to prepare, even if it is just finger foods.

If you want to do so, you have to be very prepared.

Examples:
-enough fridge/freezer storage
- who is going to take care of setting up, taking down and cleaning up ( and that person is NOT you or anyone invited to the wedding!!)
-if something does need to stay heated/chilled, how are you going to do that?

If you don't have anything set in stone, you may be better off doing a later ceremony/reception and do a dessert and punch/ champagne. Many dessert can be made ahead of time and do not require refrigeration.

One way or anything, you will have to hire at least one person which may just drive costs up anyway.

ginadog · June 2011

This couple DIY all their own food for 75 people!

$500 on food
$100 on wine and drinks
$125 on cupcakes and s'mores.

Read what they served in here! Of course they are REALLY DIYers hence that's why someone paid them to have a blog.
http://www.younghouselove.com/wedding-album/

Dorothy90 · June 2011

Wow, that's really incredible! Thanks so much for sharing that.

I'm considering getting some shrimp, finger sandwich, and chicken wing platters from a local restaurant. I may buy some cheese in bulk and cut it into cubes myself. Do you think that along with beer, a signature cocktail, and sodas (and of course the cake) would be sufficient enough?

ginadog · June 2011

Ooh, I've got one more for you!

She fed 80 poeple, both a Friday night picnic of a sandwich bar, and a fajita dinner for the wedding.

Margarita Machine: $232
Whole Foods: $317
King Soopers's (Food): $372
Sam's Club (Food): $403
Boxed Wine: $80

Check it out!
http://2000dollarwedding.com/2008/07/from-conception-to-reception.html

"Do you think that along with beer, a signature cocktail, and sodas (and of course the cake) would be sufficient enough?"

I think that sounds good. What times were you thinking again?

Dorothy90 · June 2011

That's incredible. I really enjoy reading about the nearly impossible things people have done. It gives me hope.

YSUGirl · July 2011

I'm in the same boat. I really cannot afford to cater and I'm making hors d'oeurves myself along with the help of family and some people who agreed to help at my mom's church. Put an ad out on craigslist.com or something. People, especially teens, wouldn't mind taking care of set up and clean up and how can they screw that up? I'd ask people you can trust to handle the food for you.

JuderT · July 2011

For set up, serving and cleaning "staff"- have you considered local auxilary groups that are often looking for fundraisers? Such as the American Legion Auxillary, or a Lions Club, Elks, or a church group, etc. That would allow you to prepare the food ahead of time- to save the cost of the caterer, but would free you up the day of your wedding to enjoy your guests. Many hands make light work for all and your money would be doing double duty- both paying for your catering and supporting a worthy local cause.

Daskisses · July 2011

I have a few suggestions for you if diy is the way you have to go:
What kind of bbq are you talking? Will you have someone manning the grill, or are things coming out of the oven? Figure that out and your menu.

Call in reinforcements. Who can help with what? We're talking food prep, baking, and anything else that needs done.

Can you hire someone, for the actual day of, to put food into the oven and set it out? That's assuming you are going with a buffet. (I have a friend who could use the cash but isn't a professional. I'll give her a list of what needs to be done and she take care of things while I enjoy the day.)

Hope it helps.

First off, what can you prep ahead of time? Budget that time in.

redheadtmk · July 2011

I had a friend do her own food last summer. She made two soups ahead of time and froze them. She had the base for Pho (another soup) made by a local restaurant and froze, and then a squash soup that is served cold. I along with very little help was in charge of getting stuff set up the day of. It was very stressful!

The kitchen was big enough for everything but not stocked with everything needed as far as bowls etc. The people who were supposed to help mostly sat around. They also only brought one small rice cooker which did not make enough for everyone. Keeping things warm/cold was not an issue as the soups were in crock pots that kept them warm and we had fridges as well. The real issue was that I spent the entire reception constantly refilling the salad bowls, the rolls, the various condiments and sides for the salads (olives, sour cream for the tortilla soup) chips and what not. The people who were supposed to help ate dinner before coming down to help. I did not mind helping as i love my friend but it was stressful and I did not get to see most of the reception (toasts, dances etc). and i ate my dinner in spoonfuls between running out more stuff.

Doing your own food can be done but you will need to make sure you have reliable help to monitor everything during the reception. Having 3-4 people at the least is preferable. Make sure you have all the serving/warming/ preparation dishes and utensils that you need.

Her menu was : Italian wedding soup, tortilla soup (w/cheese, tortilla chips, sour cream), cold summer squash soup, Pho (which has meat, rice, onion, sprout thingys and possibly other stuff i cant remember that you add to individual bowls) salad, and rolls. It was pretty simple and easy to get ready. The biggest problem was not enough bowls and help.

If you dont want to have friends/family working on your wedding day see about hiring high school/college students who will be willing to work for a couple of hours for cheap.

kmmssg · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_making-own-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:737bdcbd-8256-401c-aa74-098cc9f80a9aPost:8771264a-966f-4e18-b13c-459a8f049786">Re: Making my own food</a>:
[QUOTE]I had a friend do her own food last summer. She made two soups ahead of time and froze them. She had the base for Pho (another soup) made by a local restaurant and froze, and then a squash soup that is served cold. I along with very little help was in charge of getting stuff set up the day of. It was very stressful! The kitchen was big enough for everything but not stocked with everything needed as far as bowls etc. The people who were supposed to help mostly sat around. They also only brought one small rice cooker which did not make enough for everyone. Keeping things warm/cold was not an issue as the soups were in crock pots that kept them warm and we had fridges as well. The real issue was that I spent the entire reception constantly refilling the salad bowls, the rolls, the various condiments and sides for the salads (olives, sour cream for the tortilla soup) chips and what not. The people who were supposed to help ate dinner before coming down to help. I did not mind helping as i love my friend but it was stressful and I did not get to see most of the reception (toasts, dances etc). and i ate my dinner in spoonfuls between running out more stuff. Doing your own food can be done but you will need to make sure you have reliable help to monitor everything during the reception. Having 3-4 people at the least is preferable. Make sure you have all the serving/warming/ preparation dishes and utensils that you need. Her menu was : Italian wedding soup, tortilla soup (w/cheese, tortilla chips, sour cream), cold summer squash soup, Pho (which has meat, rice, onion, sprout thingys and possibly other stuff i cant remember that you add to individual bowls) salad, and rolls. It was pretty simple and easy to get ready. The biggest problem was not enough bowls and help. If you dont want to have friends/family working on your wedding day see about hiring high school/college students who will be willing to work for a couple of hours for cheap.
Posted by redheadtmk[/QUOTE]

This is the perfect example of why you should never expect family and friends to work at a wedding or reception. I'm sorry you had such an awful experience.

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