Would you cook for 20 people or get caterers in?

[Littleshortcake]

We are having a party in June (Holy Communion) and will obviously be at the mass for two hours (including photos and reception at the school).
I would have no help as everyone will be there. No local restaurant. I could get caterers in but am a confident cook (but only for the immediate family). I know it's my own decision but just wondering what ideas people would have? Is it worth getting caterers.

I have done similar myself; I decided caterers coming in was OTT, and the logistics of collecting a prepped order (on a Sunday) was harder than catering it.

I roasted several large hams and carved them. Prepared big bowls of couscous, potato salad, coleslaw, salad leaves, tomatoes/cucumbers etc and loaded the fridge the evening before. Sent a helpful volunteer to Tesco for fresh crusty bread between church and the party (so I could go straight from church to party with guests).

I asked a few friends to help hand out drinks while my mum and I unloaded the fridge onto a table and let people help themselves. Several gazebos in the garden, garden chairs and blankets borrowed from neighbours to sit on. Very relaxed but lovely.

I have no idea what I'd have done if it had rained

Keep it simple and prep before, order from m and s or Morrissons, use a slow cooker for curry or chilli, accompany with fresh bread or jacket potatoes, salad, quiche etc and pre cooked cold meats.

Do you have any babysitters or teenagers who you could pay to heat the food, help you plate and serve and look after drinks? The biggest advantage of caterers I think is that you can enjoy the day. I paid two students who are my moms friends kids to help out and it was the beat money I ever spent.

I did my own catering for both DC’s First Holy Communion ( and their Confirmations a few years later)
30 + guests each time.
Made salad, potato salad, rice salad and pasta salad before leaving for Mass, left in the fridge.
Roasted a gammon joint the night before
Cooked a chicken and made Coronation Chicken the night before
Made coleslaw the night before
Made a couple of quiches the night before
Bought French sticks that morning

One of the other mums borrowed a load of slow cookers and had chicken in white wine cooking while at mass. Quickly cooked some rice when they got back and served it with French bread which I thought was a fab idea

Caterers in a heartbeat! Why would you put yourself through all that stress

I used M and S food and hired waitress team and that worked well.

I think given the occasion it is for it will be a faff to cater yourself. If more typical buffet stuff won't do (which yiu could get from M&S or similar) then just get caterers. You could end up just thinking about logistics and not enjoy the day.

I've cooked for that many before and I'm perfectly confident about it but I spent the entire day before doing preparation and that was a BBQ so just puddings and salads to prepare. And people took food as well.

Have you costed caterers? That would surely determine what you want to do? If cooking yourself get willing family members to help out, either at your house or get them to take something. As PP said you'll need someone at home to get everything ready while you are at church and school.

I could definitely cook for 20 - I've cooked for more in the past. When we had an anniversary party, though, I ordered the lot from Waitrose. Massive reduction in stress.