Anyone cooked for their own elopement / wedding?

I wouldn't want the stress of cooking in the days leading up to the wedding. As for booze, double check with your venue that you can bring your own. Some places won't let you and others make you get your own liquor license. If they allow this, then I would for sure do the booze yourself and just hire a bartender. That will save you a ton of money!

I think you'll end up spending more & stressing SO much if you cook for yourself. Plus you run a huge food safety risk. We had a party catered BBQ for $10 a person, have you looked into that?

I was a bridesmaid with a good friend about a month ago. The wedding was at her MIL's home, and they cooked. There were probably about 25-30 people, and they did finger foods, sandwiches, kebabs, fruits/veggies, and salsa/cheese dips. Crazy assortment. But between MIL, a few friends of MIL and actually my fiance, they were able to get all of the food done in about 4 hours. It was nothing fancy, but it was nice and simple.

There’s lots of foods you could do yourself that would hold well. You can do a salad, sides etc from local grocery or Sams /Costco. I would do disposable pans with sternos -less clean up. I’d hire someone for a local bar tending school or college kid. They can also help with clean up.