Christening party catering fallen through - HELP!

[IHateToCashew]

Long story short, our fantastically priced caterer can no longer do our event. Basically we cancelled, expecting only 35 people which I thought I could easily do myself. Now all of DH's invitees that haven't responded are attending, bumping it up to 100. Caterer has fair enough taken on another job. Really can't afford another so it looks like I'm catering for 100+ people

The invitations said 'afternoon tea'. Do you think I could get away with making a dozen or so cakes and doing simple canapés? I really don't want to get into sandwich making!

Does anyone have some really quick, easy, tasty and cheap recipes? We'll be traveling four hours to our hometown the day before, so it doesn't leave me with much time to sort out the hall and prep food.

[lynmilne65]

Ian Rankin ???? Thought he wrote books!!!

[IHateToCashew]

Sprinkle the original caterer was insanely good value. She was happy to do a full afternoon tea for that money for £35 people.

I'd love to say make them all bring something. But people are travelling from all over, 4-6 house journeys so I'm not sure anything yet bought would remain edible and in squashed!

[IHateToCashew]

No idea where that £ sign came from!

[kateandme]

or if you can swtich it might you do some bigger dishes like huge couscous salads.pasta bakes.vat of currys.it would make doing so much in amount easier to do.then you could just serve on a big table and let all help themselves.i no you said afternoon tea but this could work if you have understanding guests.