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.

Well, in defence of some posters, the OP didn’t specify that the invitation would be for afternoon tea and the party expected to finish at around 6pm. That’s pretty crucial information (although I still abhor hummus sandwiches - too many institutional conference lunches).

Yes she did. If posters take 3 minutes to click read all and have even a cursory glance past the the opening post.

It was pretty obvious from the menu on the OP's first post that it was an afternoon tea.

I don't understand why so many posters have had such difficulty accepting a lovely, well provisioned afternoon tea as the post ceremony wedding breakfast.

I'm pretty sure those people would find fault with literally any type or amount of food offered.

No idea
i would have a big brunch, turn up, happily eat and drink what I’m given and go home for an early night. Perfect! Can I come?

I think it sounds lovely. The only thing that might concern me is people going out afterwards and having fun without me!

I think it's maybe an age thing. It sounds like a perfect event to me as well, especially the being home for the evening.

I agree - growing up I hardly ever went to a wedding which went on beyond 6pm.

Neither did I.

I would definitely provide transportation
from the church to the venue - 1/2 hour walk is quite long (especially for ladies in high heels) and will also eat into the reception time.

I agree with the gluten-free comment. As a coeliac, the risk of cross-contamination is too high, making it unsafe to eat and ultimately a waste of money. Keeping items separate and clearly labelled is always appreciated.

We had a similarly scaled-down wedding and skipped a sit-down meal and dancing. Our favourite part of weddings was always the cocktail hour, so after the ceremony we extended that instead, champagne, rosé, and plenty of savoury and sweet canapés. It wrapped up at 5, and we then went for a quiet dinner just the two of us, which was a lovely way to reflect since the day flies by.

I also believe it’s far better to have leftover food than not enough; I’ve been to a wedding with buffet where food ran out before all tables were served, people remember that...

Congratulations, and best of luck! ☺️

just to put my oar in - I hate fizzy of all kinds, will welcome drink have still option eg fruit juice?

Op...yout wedding sounds amazing! 2-6 sounds an ideal time! Glasses of fizz to toast the happy couple- beautiful! ...gorgeous afternoon tea with food you and your new hubby will eat...why not? Pizza if you must but only 4 hours so gauge it by your guests! Loads of hungry farmers then go for it but if its your mates from the WI and darling parents...maybe not 😂.I agree no point over providing and then waste. You have the lovely venue and plenty of seating with a full cover marquee. Just include the timings and afternoon tea mention on the invites ...done! It will be lovely...people will come and celebrate your wedding and then go home,feet up and have a late dinner anyway! Enjoy!

I don’t think that is enough food OP. All sounds lovely but I would be adding in more savoury options

If you select See All on the bottom right of the OP's initial post you will see all of her updates of which there are many.

There will be loads of food.

I wouldn’t want to be wrestling with pizza in my best gear whilst trying to mingle. More savouries though, pork and pickle pies, sausage rolls, quiche?

The menu is vegetarian, which you will have read about when you read all of the OP's updates.

Well here’s my update. Swap pork for meat free mini pies and rolls. Vegetarian quiche. Still no pizza, too messy.

been to two weddings with pizza vans, both lovely and tasty but both very slow and not 150 guests. Get the venue to cook but if you don't get the guests to choose type of pizza or don't offer choice, just do 3 or 4 types, queues at wedding for me are a no no...

Agreed. It’ll take off your lipstick, could have bits stuck in your teeth etc. not ideal

I’d definitely make sure your invites stipulate an end time, so it’s not expected that there is an evening meal etc.

We were married a year ago and it was from 2pm, we did a large variety of hot and cold appetisers and drinks reception at 3pm had a crisp wall and sweetie cart for general grazing,

This was followed by a 5 course meal which started at 6 and a buffet brought out at 11, we only had 80 guest but everything was eaten/used.

The day drinking was probably a contributing factor to people’s hunger levels! X

The OP has posted her 'invitation notes' which include full details about timings, catering and requests for dietary requirements so separate food can be provided for coeliacs and vegans.

I'd hope her guests take more notice of these than a lot of posters on this thread so they don't arrive expecting a three course meal and dancing until midnight.

Definitely add in pizzas, if they can cook and serve them quick enough to keep up with the number of guests (sometimes tricky with proper pizza ovens).

Maybe some savoury scones with cheese and chutney, bags of posh crisps, mini quiches or canapes etc.? (You could definitely make and freeze mini puff pastry tarts.)

Could also do a big cheese / crackers / fruit platter?

I love the afternoon tea theme and that it's all vegetarian, but you may be lacking in savoury options and 'filling' food.

Oh! Also a pick and mix station is always a fun one - you can bulk buy sweets online, get pretty cut glass containers from charity shops and some retro striped paper bags. Adults REALLY love them. Aldi do a fab range of vegan sweets too.

This adult loves them 😁