Post # 1
Member
180 posts
Blushing bee
Hey there DIY Brides!
I’m doing my very best to not stress and trust my Fiance, but there is a nervous pit in my stomach right now I hope someone can soothe.
My Hubby-to-Bee has culinary training and insists on providing the food (along with his best man who was the same training) for our reception dinner. We both wanted something less formal, since formal doesn’t fit our personalities, so he plans to make pulled pork and serve it with sides and sauces buffet style.
Sounds delicious and wonderful!
However… I don’t want to ‘hire’ my family to act as caterers. I want them to enjoy, not worry about stocking and checking the food tables. Is there anything out there that is like a catering service… minus the food? I mean, they serve, they clean up, you enjoy?
Also, how hard is it REALLY to find a venue that will allow you to cater your own event?
Post # 3
Member
18 posts
Newbee
The pulled pork sounds phenomenal!
I would look for a catering company that would maybe allow your Fiance to make the pork and sauces- but they could do all the sides, etc. As long as he has his own means of cooking (they usualy won’t let you in their space due to insurance reasons).
The other option- hire servers from your favorite local restaurant! Ask the manager well in advance and see if they would be ok with you hiring 3-4 (depending on size?) servers and one of their bartenders for the event. It happened all the time when I was a waitress. You would need someone to ‘head’ the team though.
You can definitely find venues that allow you to bring in your own caterer. It’s a little trickier around my area, but if you look for venues that aren’t as “in demand”, they tend to be more flexible! Good luck!
Post # 4
Member
180 posts
Blushing bee
I just learned that we’d need to get liability insurance, too… unless the venue was kind enough to cover us. Ugh. I guess not ALL DiY saves money…
Post # 5
Member
14496 posts
Honey Beekeeper
Pulled pork can be made days ahead of time (DH just made it last night, YUM). If he insists on making it, maybe a great compromise would be to have him make it and hire someone to heat it up and serve it. That way everyone gets to eat well and enjoy.
