Weddingbee boards

So I got an e-mail yesterday saying I am officially only 10 months to my wedding! Yay! However, outside of the photographer (a friend) I have NO ONE AT ALL BOOKED! I have been on a search for a caterer since we got engaged in February of last year! Our budget is super tiny ($1,000-$1,500 for food, only the high end if it comes with table linens and possibly plates, glasses, etc.) for 100 people or less. i keep thinking I've found a caterer who is perfect, but then it turns out that they have minimums ($8,000 or 100+ people, or their prices double if you want them to cater outside their restaurant, etc). With some of these caterers, their prices are great until I find out what their minimum is. Or, with one of them, the package I fell in love with wasn't a stand alone, it was something you could add to their other packages, which placed it so far out of our price range its not even funny.

I am starting to feel panicked. 10 months out and no one to feed my guests! I have no idea what to do because at this point I feel like I've contacted nearly everyone in town. I thought of skipping the food, but our parents are not making that an option. I might be able to go as high as $2,000, but that would HAVE TO include plates and some glassware because it would eat the budget for those things.

*sigh* Is feeding my guests an impossible dream? Is my budget (which is almost ALL the money for my wedding!) too tiny? Can a girl feed her guests in Milwaukee for less then $15 a person?!

@sunshinebride- Hahaha! When I ate meat, I LOVED Real Chili! Unfortunately, last I checked, they do not offer vegetarian chili. Plus, its just not a hot weather food.

@Ashlle- I hadn't even thought to contact the local co-op kitchen! I love their food, but I fear that they're too small to take on catering for 100 people (Riverwest Co-op cafe is super tiny. Like, a stove, a sink, and some cutting surfaces!). I should call them just to check them out. Maybe they are a viaable option (plus, then I get the local, organic food I was dreaming of!).

@SimplyUnique021- I have in fact contacted everyone on your list except Roma Lodge (never heard of them). They are all Waaaaaaaaay tooooo expensive! i LOVE Chef Jack's catering, but his prices are easily double and triple what I can afford! Same thing with Ovations and Bartolotta. Saz's doesn't offer any vegetarian options really.

This hunt is driving me to the edge of a stress breakdown!

Hmmmm...i just called the Riverwest Co-op. They seemed...overwhelmed by the idea of trying to cater for 100 people! They're not sure they can do it, so they took my name and number and are planning to get back to me in the next few days. If they can do it, they said they'll sit down with us to plan out a menu and that they can even offer an amazing vegan wedding cake if we want, since they have a star baker on their staff. So...the decision is out on if the co-op can provide food for 100 people. Thanks for the idea Ashlle! I also called a vegetarian kitchen we like, but they don't think they do catering, I have to call back tonight to speak with the owner/manager? over the possiblity.

@Ember78- Beans & Barley is an option, but my FI doesn't like any of the vegetarian main entree options they offer. Plus, while their pick-up ordering is affordable, they start getting expensive if you want delivery (they go from $12-$15pp to $16-$30pp!) Davians could be a possiblity, but they say they have a $3,000 minimum for Friday weddings. Which is double what I can afford. If they are willing to negociate, they might work, if their food is any good. I've never heard of them before. Lee John has no prices on his site, which I always take to mean he costs $$$$$$. I am not a fan of the Apollo Cafe. Thanks for the options! I appreciate it.

@Dizzy- After looking at their site, they only appear to offer 1 vegetarian option- vegetarian lasagna. Unfortunately, my FI hates lasagna! I am not sure why, as it has all his favorites in it- noodles, tomato sauce, and cheese. So...unfortunately they are out.

I checked out one of our favorite Middle Eastern restaurants this afternoon. While they normally cost $10 or less for a dinner entree in house, they charge $16-$25pp for catering! Yikes! Maybe Indian would be less expensive (and all but 2 or our guests would hate it).

Anyone else? Any more leads on possible caterers? Someone who doesn't have crazy minimums, too high of a minimum guest requirement, and [hopefully] doesn't charge too much to deliver? *sigh* Please....

@noraluiza- We actually just set a date to talk with ball n biscuit catering! Their menu options sound amazing and Maria is so nice over e-mail! Glad to hear they seem nice in person too! They seem like they might be willing and able to work with our budget, so I'm looking forward to the taste test! How did you find their food? Was it delicious? Did it look nice?

@crevre80- first of all, I almost always want to write "@diva" because of your icon! heh. i am a little confused. Has the couple moved to Wisconsin from Lousiana and are catering here now too? Or are they based in Lousiana? Did you sent a personal e-mail or one about catering for a broke bride in Wisconsin? Sorry- I'm just a bit confused!