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Original poster

Would it be crazy to cater for the wedding myself?

35 replies

ButterpieBride · 12/08/2010 22:18

It's just they are charging £5 a head for what sounds like a not very inspiring menu. I'm not thinking of anything fancy, but surely we can do a cold buffet for 100 or so for much less than that?

For the two days beforehand, we have me, DP, 2 DDs (ok, they aren't much use), 2 parents in law, my parents, my nana, my 2 sisters, any of DPs relatives that can be pressganged into helping, my range oven, ILs normal oven, 3 freezers, 3 fridges, 4 makro cards and 3 cars. Surely we can do something with that lot?

DP says that he is worried that we'll end up looking like Kerry Katona with a load of Iceland stuff, but I reckon a bit of judicious mixing of posh and budget and locally sourced, and we'll have a much better spread.

Am I now officially mad?

OP posts:

nannyl · 12/08/2010 22:22

yes you are mad, but i agree with all those resources you can do better nicer and much cheaper

SpringHeeledJack · 12/08/2010 22:25

I think it would be nice

make it more like a party. Wedding grub is always a bit ime

let us know how you get on- I might follow your lead- if me and dp ever get round to it

ZinglebertBembledank · 12/08/2010 22:29

hmmm...I reckon you could actually. That's a lot of people to feed but if you can ask loads of folk to contribute their speciality it could be doable.

Things like a whole poached salmon, or a big ham look impressive but aren't that faffy.

It would be a lot of work though. Do you like being rushed off your feet?

Original poster

ButterpieBride · 12/08/2010 22:32

If i don't keep busy I start doing things like trying to make table decorations...my latest effort is a plate, pva glue, sequins, some old feathers and a candle i found in the back of a cupboard So...keeping me busy could be a good idea!

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MaamRuby · 12/08/2010 22:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pekkala · 12/08/2010 22:37

Best wedding I ever went to was my best friend's. Her family, plus bridesmaids (inc. me), made the food the day before and the groom's friends set the venue up. We had a great time getting to know one another and I really felt part of the wedding. Ah! happy memories.

Original poster

ButterpieBride · 12/08/2010 22:39

There's not much serving involved in a buffet though surely? We just need to put it on a table. We can set up the table the night before and just bring the food in cool boxes or something on the day.

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ZinglebertBembledank · 12/08/2010 23:14

nah, actually, Ruby's right. You do need someone to be sorting out plates, binning empties, clearing washing up etc.

Do you have someone who would be up for it? (it's the kind of thing I would happily do so there must be others who would )

You really shouldn't have to worry about whether the potato salad is congealing on your wedding day.

ZinglebertBembledank · 12/08/2010 23:15

btw

Put. the PVA. down

Original poster

ButterpieBride · 12/08/2010 23:33

I would have an army of teenagers willing to work for very little, but unfortunately the wedding is on at the same time as Leeds festival, so all my sisters mates are at that.

I'm thinking paper plates and someone whizzing round with a bin bag at some point. Not very enviromentally friendly, but, on the scale of things, I think it is ok.

We are even considering giving people paper bags so they can pick what buffet they want to take to the nearby park to eat as a picnic, but that depends on weather. Then they just need to put their bag in the bin.

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MoonFaceMama · 12/08/2010 23:46

we did it. Only invited 50 though as we got wed at a tiny chapel and had the do in marque in the same field. Friends decorated the marquee, my folks and (now) in laws contributed. Friends made lanterns etc for the field (this was my "hen" do). Best friend made beautiful cake (and trifle) as pud. Guests brought booze and plonked it on a table with a load of ice from where i used to work. We were last minute, had to get all sorts of agreements to use land etc so invites went out about six weeks prior. Had to take dh to collect his shirt, about two hours away, the day before. Ditto collect my dress (hand stitched by someone i know through work!)
So if we can do it any one can!

Top tips...do fewer types of things, and more quantity of what you do do iyswim.
We got married in the afternoon so we only had to feed people once and didn't have to worry about food sitting around.
Do something simple on arrival to take the edge of peoples appetite (we did mini scones with cream and jam...and cheep home made pimms!)

You need about four times as many plates as people, as they will bin the old one and get a new one each time they go back, and then pud etc
Ask people to do a specific task, they will be pleased to help and ime take on other things you had't thought of (which there will be) and just make them happen.

Although we only had fifty we made way too much food, could have fed double that at least!

People commented on how everyone felt very much part of the event, rather than just turn up, get pissed, go home...though they did all of these things aswel! Loads said it was the best wedding they've been to.

Btw re table decs, we just put a whole load of different jars in the middle of each table. Some with tea lights or church candles, some with flowers, some pebbles and shells etc, dead cheap, looked fab, and easily set up by friends.just a varied pile in each table centre.

Let us know what you decide to do! Sorry this is so rambley. Late!

aseriouslyblondemoment · 12/08/2010 23:58

butter what exactly would your ideal buffet be?
think of some things that both of you would like and hopefully we can all help you
i think that budget is more than do-able but my main concern is that you might have last minute wedding things to deal with besides the catering,and,i would hate to think of you both stressing out over this
just a suggestion but have you thought about approaching a local chippie?
would imagine that for those numbers you'd get a good deal
another thought is to contact the local catering college as i would imagine that they have students able to assist you whether with the cooking or serving of food if you choose to take the buffet route

kayah · 12/08/2010 23:58

I did it for 70 people, it was very tiring
would I do it again - yes, but with more prep and a huge excel spreadsheet to hand :)

Original poster

ButterpieBride · 13/08/2010 00:13

Well...I like pie. I like the traditional, triangular sandwiches, cheese on sticks style of buffet. He likes things to be fancier, and spicier. He is a big fan of spanish food and has also lived in New Orleans and cooks quite a bit of stuff from there too.

We're both quite into the whole local food thing, and I am homesick for Lancashire food.

DD1 likes circle shaped food.

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Original poster

ButterpieBride · 13/08/2010 00:14

Oh, I should say, the wedding is in Gateshead.

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Original poster

ButterpieBride · 13/08/2010 00:14

Oh, and no cooking facilities at the venue as it is a theatre. No outdoor space either, but we do have a park next door.

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MoonFaceMama · 13/08/2010 00:20

I should caveat my previous post... I was never going to be the kind of bride that had a champagne breakfast and pedicures with the brides maids on the wedding morning. We just wanted to be married and to mark this with friends and family. It was the best day of my life, but not because i was a "princess". Because everyone there knew what we were trying to do and helped us achieve it. This made them happy, and us happy! It was work, and i know this isn't everyones idea of a special day, but it was ours!

Original poster

ButterpieBride · 13/08/2010 00:21

I think I am the same MoonFace :) I'm not the princessy type...

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MoonFaceMama · 13/08/2010 00:30

Phew! Had suddenly thought that some might assume such pampery things were always part of the big day...they weren't part of mine!

MaamRuby · 13/08/2010 14:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

ButterpieBride · 13/08/2010 15:51

I think I'm doing fancy cupcakes, so they will make a good dessert I think, and I'll put out fruit, merangues and cream as well.

How much cheese for 100 people? I just asked FIL and he said I'd need about a quarter of a pound of four different cheeses

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MaamRuby · 13/08/2010 16:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OrmRenewed · 13/08/2010 17:00

Sounds good to me but as others have said it's the clearing up that would be the worst bit not the preparing and serving.

Original poster

ButterpieBride · 13/08/2010 17:39

I can't see the clearing up being too bad- surely a run round with a bin bag, a hoover round and keeping the non disposable stuff to a minimum would do it?

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OrmRenewed · 13/08/2010 18:52

Yes probably. If everything is disposable I guess so. But it shouldn't be you doing it! Only things that are a problem in those circs are the serving dishes - I guess they will need washing up and stowing somewhere. And the waste food - makes sure there is somewhere for that to go.

Actually it is sounding better and better Can I come and help?

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