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

@TheSandgroper - yup. That thought has crossed my mind.

@OVAgroundWOMBlingfree - we're only having 15 mins outside the church for photos of us, then photographer 2 will take photos of guests arriving, then we've hired some students to take reportage/informal groups etc throughout the eve. My sister and BIL are wedding photographers so we're calling in favours.

Ring now op. You don't have much time

I went to a wedding like this and it had a hog roast and a stone baked pizza can. It worked very well as there was choice, plenty for vegetarians and queues weren’t two long as there was two options and a salad/ dessert bar on the go.

I know the bride and she said the same company did both the pizzas and hog roast - for 100 guests the whole thing ran her around £750, which seemed insanely good value.

🤔 My wedding ended up at about £100 a plate for day guests!

Instead of plougmans, how about Mediterranean mezze platters on each table for guests to share?

I get married soon and have 120 guests, we have found a brilliant street food caterer who does 3 mains, 3 sides and 3 salads. You can get the mains (things like pulled pork, bourbon chicken, brisket chilli etc) served on fries, nachos or another couple of options and then they add toppings and sauces, they do kids options too and vege. The minimum you pay for is 120 people but very reasonable and you can choose if you want it served or let people queue . No risk of cold food or running out of food with this. If you want the name etc pm me.

@TinyGhostWriter - I like that idea!!

We had whole salmon and seafood platters plus salads, breads and less refined food for the pork pie brigade (they didn't eat fish, salad, the bread was too chewy... a whole thread on its own!) All diy from local delis, fishmonger, bakers etc

Or local Indian restaurant perhaps?

We totally DIYed evening catering for 120 people at our house.

We bought 2 massive round barbecues for halloumi or salmon kebabs. Piles of flatbreads from lebanese bakers to go with. Salads. Massive opulent cheese board/table with nuts, pears, grapes, chutney, celery looked like a painting. Big charcuterie plates. HUGE wedding cake. Ice-cream in cones (we set it up in a little tent so it was like a stall, with a freezer and big tubs). Two different sets of friends made different cocktails during the night. BBQs became firepits after and we toasted marshmallows. Lots of people helping themselves etc.

If your final guest list comes out at around 100 I think you definitely need to pay for caterers or food vans. I just think for that many you would end up with either you/your parents/your mates spending a good chunk of the day sorting out food. Also loads of time the day before the wedding and the entire morning of the wedding, receiving and preparing it all!