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Catering for about 60 people - are we mad?

10 replies

JeanGabin · 03/04/2025 22:04

I wasn't sure whether to post this here or in parties, but given it's mainly about cooking I thought I'd try here. We're having a party / celebration later this year, and were thinking of having lunch at home (free flowing fizz etc). Caterers locally look to be more wedding focussed, and we want something in between - not a baked potato van, but not teeny tiny canapes etc. either. It would need to be buffet style as we don't have a huge house.
There's a lovely cafe locally that does big bowls of different salads that we could buy, and I was thinking it wouldn't be ridiculous to make 3 or 4 quiche in advance, maybe a slow roast or two / ham or something plus lots of bread to go with it. There's a nice patisserie where we could get some tarts and could maybe make a gluten free option like pavlova that just needs some cream / fruit at the last minute. We will be getting married the same day (early, at the registry office), so clearly don't want to be faffing too much on the day but we've made it clear it's a low key, relaxed do, and can enlist some help. Do you think it's doable?
Are we crazy?

OP posts:
justasking111 · 03/04/2025 22:16

Find family that will volunteer to do the running around. Hire glasses Tesco used to do it.

We did a party for 80. Borrowed a couple of gazebos hoping for good weather.

Paper napkins, plates, real cutlery borrowed.

We did a spit roast lamb but that's a faff. A whole salmon, hams, beef is good. You'll need extra fridge space. We used a neighbours

Have a lovely time.

BrieAndChilli · 03/04/2025 22:17

Well i catered for my own wedding - was about 40 people and i was breastfeeding my eldest as he was a few months old, i dod xmas dinner for 50 scouts and also catered a weekend camp for 170 scouts so I am probably not the best person to ask!

but if everything is easy to prep/you have some help then it is doable. Just depends on if you deal with that sort of stress ok. A written plan with timings and lists is essential!

PullTheBricksDown · 03/04/2025 22:17

If it's for a wedding celebration but you don't want it to be WEDDINGY, can you tell caterers it's an anniversary or a birthday or family reunion instead? Your food ideas sound good, but I would just want to enjoy myself and not have jobs to do.

JeanGabin · 03/04/2025 22:32

@justasking111 and @brieAndChilli you both sound so chilled - that's reassuring, though I am a bit flappy! Fridge space could be an issue - but I reckon we could probably borrow some space. Friends would definitely help, but don't want to be doing more than moving a few plates and maybe heating up a couple of things on the day.
@PullTheBricksDown you've got it - we don't want WEDDINGY at all…….that's a good idea to call it something else. It just seems most of the caterers focus on weddings on their websites, and anticipating it might be quite pricey as a result.

I think it could be doable.......especially if I can enlist a couple of teens to do some pick ups / organising

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Rocknrollstar · 03/04/2025 22:58

Join Costco. They sell large tubs of salad and wonderful gateaux pre-cut into slices.

Onedancewontdo · 03/04/2025 23:02

We put a call out to family and friends for my son’s wedding for slow cookers. We did chilli, a curry and it went down well maybe this could work for you. Prepped the night before and turned on first thing on slow

NeedSomeComfy · 03/04/2025 23:06

I went to a casual style wedding where they provided the savory food but asked guests to bring a dessert. It went down really well and people made some fantastic things, and it was a way to make the guests feel included and helpful on the day. Maybe consider something like that to lighten the load?

HugoYorway · 03/04/2025 23:07

A free-range chicken and a mahoosive salad should do the trick Wink
Get outside caterers.

justasking111 · 03/04/2025 23:46

Friends had the cheese wedding cake, just had to buy crackers, butter and chutney. Was a huge success. M&S I think.

monktasmic · 04/04/2025 00:36

I’ve done this for 120 but at the cricket club not in my house. salmons, hams, salads (slaw, pasta, tabbouleh, Arabic) different breads, cheeses, crisps/ nachos, dips - pudding was christening cake - but there were fruit platters too and those m and s mini bites tubs (for kids) the most popular thing was ‘the trays of chips they kept replenishing!) Costco is your friend here…

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