To ask for help with DIY wedding breakfast

[weddingplannc]

Wedding is in six weeks. Quite informal as it's being held at my parent's house in a currently empty bit of grass (they have a smallholding). We tried to find a caterer but as we don't want a full 3 course meal and all local companies I've found haven't got the availability, it'd mean paying through the nose for someone to travel and it didn't seem worth it for what they could offer.

We have caterers for canapés (and some salads) and staff to serve drinks etc (and food if we ever work it out) but after that we're having to get very DIY. Have use of my parents house/kitchen, plus those of two neighbours if needed.

Ideally, we'd like to avoid a buffet or our guests having to queue for food. But realise that this might be the only option.

Our first idea was salads (from caterers), charcuterie boards and pizzas placed in the middle of tables to share. Or something more along the lines of a ploughman's (BUT it's an evening wedding so that doesn't seem right to me). But I can't work out the logistics.

Any ideas? Any tips on what we could do so that our guests have a good time/have enough food? Does this sound awful? Should I just pay for a caterer?

If it makes a difference:
Church service is 4.30pm, Mini buses from church to parents house (20 mins) canapés and drinks plus live music, 7pm/7.30 sit down for food? Disco/music from 9.30

Thanks in advance

I'm confused about where the breakfast is or why it's in the title but not mentioned again. Is that an autocorrect from buffet?

Also, how many people are there? And are they 50% veggie?

Dominoes for all! or fish and chips van

How many people?I honestly can't see how you'd have the tie or over space to cook enough pizzas to feed everyone.I'd definitely go down the street food vendor route, lots of great veggie options available.

pop the first meal after a couple has got married is called the wedding breakfast but it's not literally breakfast food.

Should have said that we have a cheese and dessert table organised for the "evening" to open after we cut cake.

My mum is a fantastic organiser and will delegate very well and give everyone willing a job to do if they stand still too long. I am not fussed about being stressed on the day, or having responsibilities, I wanted to walk around handing out canapés but my mum talked me out of that one .

@senua - fab idea. We're actually borrowing a couple of tents and marquees from our local scouts/guides already and hadn't thought to ask if they might be able to help with the catering conundrum. I'll give them a ring this evening.

I would either get something like a wood fired pizza van or go for jacket potatoes and a variety of fillings. You could make chilli etc in advance and then reheat plus lots of options for veggies.

Wedding breakfast is the name for the first meal after the ceremony Pop

OP - if you mention a region or city you're near to then I'm sure posters would recommend street food ideas that they've been to?

I'm another vote for street food caterers/mobile food vans!

I've been to some weddings with fantastic mobile caterers, lovely pizzas and Indian cuisine, and it usually caters easily for dietary requirements. Usually a good reasonable price and people can have as much as they like

Another thought - what about setting up picnic basket style food as like a small buffet on each table? Then perhaps have got food like a truck or bbq for additional food, so people won't be queuing/waiting to be called to get food and going hungry.

@myrtleWilson We're in rural Shropshire, as my dad describes it: "about an hour from anywhere".

Wood fired pizza van. Indian or Mexican van would work too. food festival has these types of things and they all seem to do a veggie and a meat option. If you look at who was at your local food festival it will give you ideas who to contact.

If you get caterers in, you will also need to get in waiting staff, I'd go with street food vendors or a fish and chip van

I think you're overthinking the queuing thing tbh, as long as there is comfortably enough food to go round I don't think people will be too fussed in an informal setting. It's only an issue when things run out/go cold.

Congratulations btw - I hope the weather is kind!

A street dios van from.an hour or two away would probably find feeding people at a wedding to be financially with travelling for :)

Could you get a caterer to cook in industrial quantities a day or two before, then you reheat and have those trays with lit things under them to keep them warm? Could do bbq pulled pork and a veggie bean chilli, and it could be fairly easy to serve - just a big bowl full for each table with sour cream, grated cheese, salad and bread rolls.

The thing is, if you don't want a buffet AND you don't want queuing for food AND you aren't willing to pay for caterers with wait service, I don't really understand how you expect anyone to get their food.

We had a party where a company bought a pizza oven to our garden and made amazing pizzas.
Or how about grazing boards, try 'honey to the brie' for ideas. I'd definitely get someone in don't try to be the bride and the caterer.

How many guests are you having op?

The home made route seems like the worst option for queues, stress and not enjoy the day. Bit you only have 6 weeks to get something organised. Don't forget hire of tables, chairs, linens, crockery, cutlery if not using a caterer

Oh and wadhi up and clearing up

We're in rural Shropshire, as my dad describes it: "about an hour from anywhere".
Are you near Ludlow, famous for its food festivals? List of Exhibitors here

We had the hog roast at our after wedding party but I appreciate it is very meaty and we found quite expensive. I went to a summer party recently where they had a wood fired pizza- being totally honest although it was nice queues built up quickly and the turn around was slow. Plus some guests were really greedy and they ran out

Local butchers often do a big BBQ with veggie options - big oil drums - very rustic maybe with cask beer

how many people are you catering for? we had a party for about 35 following a religious even and we went the bbq route, had one large kettledrum bbq for meats on the left, a veggie one on right, trestle table in middle with salads, breads, dips and chips for people who wanted to wander over and have a look, I did hire two people though to cook the food, fire up bbqs in advance as we were all arriving at same time, I had a few elderly people and I wanted food brought to them so all tables were set, and also did deserts like baked bananas and marshmallow kebabs for kids on the veggie bbq , we had the bbq people do things like parcels of baby potatoes in foil in advance so the timing meant we were not all eating at separate times, so when a load of foods ready we just put bowl of potatoes in middle of table , used servers to bring platters of food to table to let people pick, and they handed round salads, and only those who wanted something special, went and queued my garden is tiny though so wasn't necessary I think some people just wanted to talk marinades etc, we didn't do burgers though wasn't that sort of crowd

Hire a couple of big fridges for the week leading up to your day. Food hygiene comes first. You really don't want to be remembered the next day for all the wrong reasons.

When will you take your photos?

My sister had a “festival wedding” the food came in the form of picnic baskets and street foods. She had pizza, churros, Chinese dumplings (heaven) and fish and chips. The fish and chip van stayed until later in the evening than the rest.
She also had an ice cream van come too.

Thank you so much for all your ideas (and those of you that told me how silly my ideas were...). DP is due back from work any minute so I'll have a good chat with him and then a ring around.

I can't answer the number of guests for certain (invites only went out last week) but it'll probably be about 100