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I am considering the same thing. Our menu is almost the same except it includes salad as well (does your's include salad, I would definitely make that if not!). I'm thinking maybe we will DIY some cocktail food for "cocktail hour". Maybe some cheeses/crackers, fresh fruit, veggies and dips. Maybe a combination of making it ourselves (or delegating it to family members) and picking some up at the local grocery stores (sometimes it costs the same to do this!) and replating it on nicer trays.
We're also planning to DIY dessert. We're not doing cake, so I'm thinking I'll just ask a few people to make a dessert or two (we'll have 80 people).
It's funny, our wedding is also on a Sunday in May :)
For a fantastic, filling, easy salad try Olive Garden Salad and their Dressing.
It's so delicious and easy to double/triple. It's also a common fave among my fam :)
@les105: How weird!! You know, I think mine might come with a salad also, I'll have to double check. Getting foods from a grocery store and replating them is an awesome idea!
@thisismeAXiD: My FI would love that! That is the only way I can get him to eat veggies lol
I did the same thing (made my own food for reception) and it turned out awesome. my SILs\ MIL and mom all helped out and it turned out awesome. I would suggest going to Sams Club! They have a ton of reception type food there! They have huge bulk cans of peas, corn, green beans etc... that dont take long to heat up so they can be easily replaced when its eaten up. They also have a HUGE section of just dessert type foods. We got about 6 different types of cookies, and in the frozen section; mini cheesecake bites. They were a HUGE hit! Good Luck! let us know if you need anymore help! I think other PP comments were super helpful as well :D
I second ruby.cosmo: on the Sams club/costco/Bj's run. They have amazing pre made and frozen apps, desserts, and things that can be cut up into bite size treats. I used that for my wedding and it was a big hit!
My MIL did our food. We had soup. Added a couple sides and cake and people were good to go.
Yeah, my sister did an appetizer/dessert only reception and she got a lot of food from our local Heinen's (don't know if you have that in TN, it might be an OH thing). She got hummus/pita, spinach and artichoke dip with fancy crackers, cheese trays, olives, fresh fruit, cheese dip with more crackers, etc. It was all delicious and she served it in gorgeous dishes she found at Goodwill/Salvation Army/Thrift shops! It was really beautiful and cheap to do.
I personally wouldn't recommend doing much/any hot food unless you have your own chaffing dishes and a large kitchen at the reception site. But that's just me :)
I am doing a small reception also about 75 people. We are doing wings, pasta salad, reg salad, meatballs, fruit& cheese, crackers, and maybe a flavored rice. We are trying to keep it around $10pp
Thanks for the ideas everyone!! It's good to know other people have done this without huge problems!
We are making hour dourves and a desert bar. I am asking a few people I am close with to make deserts and am planning on putting out recipe cards for some (and giving props to those who helped out!) I am planning that the days before the wedding will be full of cooking and baking!
I agree with everyone else - Sam's Club! They are really going to come in handy for me (I am DIYing my menu too!) We are doing pastas and grilled chicken... actually I just made a post about it! Check it out here if you want! I think we should be fine. How far in advance are you making the cupcakes? Me and my mom are doing the same, I was thinking we could make them a day or 2 in advance?
BTW, we are also getting married in May! Popular month :) and our budget is under 5K. I really believe someone can create a beautiful wedding on a tight budget!!!
My boss and his wife went the DIY route, and they made "hammie sammies". Kings hawaiian bread with thick cuts of ham, swiss cheese, drenched in italian dressing and baked. My husband and I made these ourselves and they were to die for and SO easy and cost efficient! Our boss said they were a huge hit at their wedding. I so desperately wish we could have done DIY food at our wedding, but with 350 people it just couldn't happen. Best of luck--I'm sure it'll be amazing!
For desserts, you can make batches of cookies in advance and freeze them. You can also freeze cheesecake for up to two months. Good luck!
This sounds like me!! We are having a wedding w/ about 50 ppl & we are on a tight budget! One of my family members had suggested going to a place like BJ's (hopefully you have near you) where they sell large quantity for really good prices. I think we are going to get the meat(chicken,etc) from a Caterer but we are going to go buy some side dishes & appetizers from BJ's & prepare it ourselves! I think that is the best way to go if you are on a tight budget!!
@btownse6: I am so worried about the cupcakes! I was told they freeze well (without the icing), but I don't know how long they stay good frozen. I need to do more research, but we were thinking of baking them the weekend before the wedding, freezing them, and then putting the frosting on the day of? Maybe the day before? I don't want the wedding day to be too hectic. And I really think you can pull off a beautiful wedding for under 5k!
I guess I really need to check out Sams. As much as I love to cook, I don't want to get overwhelmed with cooking everything myself. Good luck everyone!
heck yes... I'm baking about 100 rum balls this next week alone along with cookies and the like to keep in the extra fridge at home. We're doing a 'tea' so there will be a lot of sandwiches, stuff from costco and tea cookies, nuts, etc.
WE're going to be doing our own food... FI will be smoking the briskets a few days before then freezing them to reheat the day of along with smoking some chicken as well... We have "hired" a friend to be in charge of getting all of that done on the day of... As for sides we are doing typical texas bbq sides along with some nicer (cold) sides since those will be easiest to make in advance... So far we are making:
cold dishes:
potato salad
pasta salad
regular salad
cucumber salad
pea salad (fi is insistant on this for some reason)
hot dishes:
brisket
chicken
rice dish (vegetarian and can be made ahead)
beans (store bought just needs to be heated)
smoked sausage
We are going to have appetizers for cocktail hour with the smoked sausage, chips and salsa, cheese and crackers, fruit and veggie plates... all things that can be bought at a wholesale store in bulk and don't need to be cooked/heated... Oh and dessert is going to be various pies from the local bakery. :)
Ask your friends/trusted family members to chip in. I think what you're doing is a great idea!
I know you said the caterer was a family friend, but if you are unhappy witht he selections, maybe you should suggest different menu items to the caterer or find another one. You shouldn't have to hire someone for food or make the food yourself in addition to a caterer who is already charging you 15 a person.
@Miss Sardine: I believe the caterer is taking care of clean up..I guess I should find out!
@CrazyCoffeeGeek: That's actually what we ended up doing...I wasn't too crazy about the above menu, but she had one that was $10 per person and she let us suggest what we wanted within reason. She will be doing turkey/cheese rollups, pasta salad, fruit, veggies, lemonade and coffee, which I like a lot more! It is cheaper, plus it just seems more appropriate for a reception at 3:30.
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I'm having a budget wedding (under 4k) for about 50 guests on a Sunday afternoon next May, probably around 3pm. Our caterer (a family friend) charges $15 per person for roast chicken, roast beef, a potato dish, a vegetable dish, rolls, tea, and coffee. I feel like we really need to supplement this menu, especially as myself and some of my friends are really not meat and potatoes people. Plus, I just really like variety.
Mom and I are already taking on the task of making cupcakes for everyone, but we were hoping to do an additional couple of sides, as well as a couple of other simple desserts/appetizers (we will have the help of my FI's family as well). Do you have any suggestions for foods that can be made in bulk and possibly in advance? Any experiences with making your own food are greatly appreciated! Am I going to be in over my head?