Critique my catering plan

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Give me your most viperish take - I’ve got 18 months to sort this.

Plan: early June. 2pm ceremony, 2.45/3pm reception. Gorgeous huge local garden, marquee/stretch tent for cover as needed. Seats and occasional tables scattered about. Circulating staff facilitating the food. Vintage china (hired). Buffet food tables/tablecloths.

Fizz on arrival (cremant de Loire) or sparkling elderflower. Jugs of water available.

Cocktail bar making jugs of 4 different cocktails for the staff to circulate- likely Pimm’s, a gin cocktail and 2 nonalcoholic ones.

Vegetarian sandwiches from local sandwich place: cheddar and chutney, Brie and grape, roasted veg &hummus, cucumber.

Crudites and 2 dips, probably tsatziki and hummus again.

Cake: 2 mini scones per guest with clotted cream and jam (300 scones). Choice of rich chocolate cake, lemon drizzle, Victoria sponge with strawberries and cream. Additional gluten free and vegan option depending on numbers needing this.

Wedding cake bought from local
cake maker: fruit cake layer, gluten free layer, vegan layer.

Also plain strawberries with/without cream on offer (the venue is a farm that does pick your own strawberries).

Big question: is it crazy to think I could make the scones and basic cakes myself and freeze them over the months, and hire someone to defrost them over the previous 24 hours, ice them and manage them on the day? Money isn’t necessarily the issue so much as preferring my own baking. 300 mini scones, 10 each of the large cakes above.

You're a caterer who doesn't know what a vegetarian is?

We can't all live life on the edge like that. I can only eat foods that are square and at the blue-green end of the colour spectrum. What about people like me, OP????????

Sorry, I know this has kind of descended into chaos now but one thing is the timings; 3 hours total but 30 minutes of that is walking to the reception? I think it’s a bit ambitious and maybe needs to be a bit longer? Things always drag out when you’ve got so many people and you might not want professional photos but lots might keep stopping to take a snap esp if it’s beautiful like you said. I’d be worried everything will feel rushed once back at the venue?

😁

😂😂😂

A diabetic can't have sparkling elderflower and might not wish to drink alcohol. Have a low sugar option available that isn't just water. I went to a party and could only eat "bread and water" as someone put it. And I'm yeast intolerant so probably shouldn't have eaten the bread either 😂.

I'd offer Pimm's and something like Tanqueray Seville 0% with sugar free lemonade. Keep it simple.

I'd probably only want to eat scones. Maybe have some cheese ones too? I think two LARGE scones per person is possibly under catering. Mini ones I'd probably eat five!

@pollymere it's not true to say that diabetics can't have sparkling elderflower drink.
As I said upthread, my DH and adult DS are diabetic, and, like many others, they self manage very well.
Good hosts always ensure that a variety of food and drink is available, certainly taking into account GF and allergies, but beyond that, most people with these - or any - conditions manage perfectly well and enjoy celebrating like the rest of us.

I agree. My sister is diabetic and adjusts her insulin dosage according to what she is consuming. She checks her blood sugar all the time.

Yes, that's what my DH and DS do. They time their injections for when they're going to eat.

You can adjust for food but it doesn't work well for drinks, as the liquid sugar gets into your blood too quickly for the insulin to counteract. It's really hard to drink a sugary drink without going high.

But OP is serving water, tea, and coffee, so it isn't a problem.

Actually yes, sister is more careful about what she drinks. I know that sweet coffee or full fat coke are sometimes recommended for diabetics when their blood glucose levels are too low.

Yes, I agree. I think most diabetics manage that way, and will be very aware of their intake.

I agree that there should be more like pizza , cheese, biscuits and fruit. As a guest I wouldn't really want sconesand I wouldn't stress over baking them- buy them.
I would lose the elderflower- but that is personal taste.

I think the elderflower sounds lovely, it's so refreshing! However. She is planning various drinks.

I would say people will start getting hungry again around 7pm, especially if drinking, so maybe pizza for evening buffet.

No evening party? Bit of a downer.

Why? The OP doesn't want an evening do so she isn't having one. I wouldn't find it a downer to not attend an evening do.

I would say people will start getting hungry again around 7pm, especially if drinking, so maybe pizza for evening buffet.

No evening do @BuildbyNumbere

It sounds absolutely delicious!
If you add the pizza in too, there's plenty of food and I speak as a greedy person!

@BuildbyNumbere people can get hungry all they want at 7 o’clock they won’t be there because the wedding will be over.🙄

Calm down … hadn’t read all that then 🙄

I think afternoon tea is perfect.

iIf the party went on past 6pm I’d expect more food but most people won’t be ready for more food in that window. Could pizzas be available to order individually for any that want them and have a tab running or is it catering all or nothing?

Id definitely make it clear on the invite that they are coming for a reception, afternoon tea and early finish. Afternoon tea from x time so they might want to have a large/ late breakfast/ brunch before the service.

sounds lovely! have a great day.

You have to make things very clear on the invites. With a 2pm start many guests will not be having lunch beforehand and certainly won’t be expecting to need dinner later. Also bear in mind that if this food is circulating (as opposed to served at table) there’s a good chance that some guests will get a bit missed-out - it’s inevitable! - so whatever specific quantity you’ve designed for each guest won’t necessarily be what is received.

Afternoon tea is only filling if your have a very sweet tooth. Many people (like me!) won’t be remotely interested in cakes and scones, so will probably only end up receiving a tiny quarter of a cucumber sandwich.

Thats fine if it’s just a between-meals affair, but OP needs to make that very clear on her invites.

Why? When there's multiple flavours available and 8 sandwiches per person planned. Why would you end up with an eighth of what will be provided?

Why would you only get a tiny quarter of a cucumber sandwich? I don't understand. Wouldn't you eat the quiche, sausage rolls, crudities and dips? Or the pizza?