catering your own event...

As possible. I would rather spend that money on an extra long honeymoon, or a second honeymoon, or... you know.. a house.. what are your ladies thoughts??

But do you want to be stressed out?

My mom is doing the food. We are keeping it simple. I have been handling most of the wedding, but she is recruiting grandmothers, aunts, etc and they are attacking the food the couple days before so as to leave everyone stress free day of. Try to find someone to help you so it isn't just YOU doing it

We had planned to do our own food up til about a month or so ago. We just didn't want to spend a ton of money and felt like we could make or buy our own. But EVERYONE tried to talk us out of it and when we found a caterer that was willing to cater for $13 pp including tax and gratuity...we couldn't pass up the opportunity. I still think it's possible to cater your own wedding! Just keep it simple and maybe hire a few close friends to help manage everything for you.

Kristen i wish we could find a deal like that!! the cheapest we have come across was 24$ pp (grautity included). I dont really think it would be adding to much stress Mello, simply because we can cook and make the most. the day before and everything else (asiding from picking up the chicken which anyone can do) would take only a few hours at most..

We are doing our own food as well, between me, my mom grandma and great aunt we could cook for an army, we are inviting 150 ppl, and I am so excited, we are having mostly finger foods sandwiches, veggies, different buns, and then different cold salads, potato, pasta, it'll be so much cheaper

If you had friends or family who are willing to do that, that might be good, but I wouldn't take it on myself, ugh the stress...

Randi: We are planning on catering ourselves as well. There are tons of menu options that can be done without much to it. I am doing a lot of things that can be done the day or two before hand. My sisters, mom, and cousin are helping me. Plus, I am sure FSIL and FMIL would lend a hand too. Here is a link that is helpful for catering your own wedding.

http://www.topweddingsites.com/wedding-blog/wedding-reception/catering-your-own-wedding-its-easier-than-you-

You can get some nice clear, white, or plastic plates at Sam's Club. If you don't have a member ship it would be well worth it. You can also get the food and beverages from there as well.

Links to the plates:

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=124473

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=154839&_requestid=211435

You can also get some from www.smartyhadaparty.com Their prices are reasonable and I've ordered samples of their plates and bowls and are nice.

Why don't you buy all the food you will need and ask a friend/family member to put it together for you

I am doing a DIY wedding only thing I am not doing much of anything....My friends/family will be doing all the work...

The days of and days leading up to my big day I will be doing nothing.....I will however be going over everything with everyone that way it will be what I want

I grew up in the catering business and I did the food for my last wedding, I was planning on doing the food for this one too, but with the location and not knowing where to have a reception for lunch, I opted out and found a restaurant that will open for lunch just for us - I have a menu planned and it's less than $20pp and it's considered one of the best and most romantic restaurants in our area!

Www.3500weddingblog.com

When I got married last year we had a friend do the catering. We gave her $500 for the food. We had egg rolls (handmade), fried rice, carnitas, fruit salad and a lot of other little dishes. We were lucky that her sister owns a restaurant so we just paid for the food itself. We had about 35 people attend our wedding and their were leftovers for everyone to take home. lol. It was buffet style.

I wanted to get a cater for my wedding cause I didnt want the stress on my family, but my mom insist on doing the food herself. My mom is from the south and loves the cook lol! We go over her house every Sunday after church for dinner.

We are "semi-catering". Ordering pulled pork, potatoes and baked beans. Family members making keilbasa and hamburgers (w/grill at park) as well as other side dishes. A former co-worker of bride's grandmother has volunteered to work the kitchen and make sure food gets onto buffet, etc w/help of high school kids hired as servers/busboys. Grandmother will give friend gift card as thank you, kids are taking $20 each for help for few hours work. I would attempt to get help so YOU are not responsible for making it all, and you will also need help day of, because you will definitely have other things to do, lol!

We were going to do the same thing ... but not one place that we went for our reception allowed that sooooo it all depends where you are having the reception and what they allow ... I really wish that i could have my wedding at my family lake like my mom did 9we did all the food our selves) but we are looking at 150 people and that is just to many people to have at the lake so we have no choice to have it some place that wont allow for out side food. ...... but if you can do it >>> DO IT

We are also doing our own food, though with lots and lots of help. We are having a friend roast a pig we are getting for free from my FHs uncle. We will cut up potatoes the day before to roast with the pig, putting green beans in crock pots the morning of and putting together a green salad that morning too. My uncle Merle will be in charge of making sure it all comes together since he did a great job at his daughter's wedding and loves to do that stuff.

For servers, my mother's coworkers really wanted to come to the wedding but they weren't invited so they said if we serve the food can we come? I said hells yes!

I think you can do it but you need help. I thought about doing it on my own, but then I would be cooking all morning and would not have time for pictures and to get ready. Good luck!

That would save alot of money. but some venues wont let you bring your own stuff. and frankly who has the time to make food the day before! but if you have family and friends who can cook and are willing use them! food is just such a big part of the budget if you can cut it down do it!

I'd be worried about the stress of making all that food while dealing with all the other last minute details. Maybe do 1/2 yourself and 1/2 catered?

Cooking relaxes me, and I have the thought on the back of my mind to cook it ourselves. I think if you are comfortable in the kitchen and are confident you can cook the right amounts well, go for it!

NO WAY could I do it myself lol. I will give all of you credit who are. I am stressed out enough as it is....and I know doing it ourselves will be no where near as good as what a professional chef can do. LUCKILY I found a caterer that has excellent reviews for only about $13/person. good luck to all you guys! hope everything turns out great for yall!

We are doing the majority of our food ourselves as well. We were going to do all of it but I recently found a catering company that was AMAZING! And we can pick up our order with a very small minimum order. I know so many people think you will be stressed but I think it depends on a lot of things. For instance, I come from a large Italian family. Cooking for large groups is just part of who we are. Yes, there will be a lot going on in the days leading up to the wedding but we can handle it. I say go for it! Oh, and thanks for that link, Elizabeth!! Going to check it out now!