Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Savvy April 2020

Deciding how much food you need

D.k., on October 16, 2019 at 7:08 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 8

Saved

Flag
Hide content

We are making all the food for our wedding. I know... sounds crazy. But we are telling our guests it is our annual Easter event that we host and that he is purposing that day.

They have no idea we have started planning! It will be a surprise wedding!

Every food estimator says 1.5 servings of the main course. 1 cup of pastas 1 cup of salad. Etc.

This is our menu:
Bbq pulled pork sliders
Roasted chicken
Pea salad
Potato salad
Cesar salad
Green bean casserole

Appetizers:
Chips, dips, and salsa
fruit and veggie trays

Desserts:
cannolis
macaroons
Chocolate raspberry bundt cake
Popcorn as a snack

Here’s where it gets tricky. Our families will want to bring something because we usually do potluck style on Easter. If I say they cannot bring food, they will bring stuff anyway.

Do I count on them to bring stuff? Do I cut down the amount of things I need to make? Since there are two “main courses” do I just do half of the recommended amounts for both?

I’m trying to get my food costs budgeted since that is the bulk of our wedding cost.

Any suggestions? Any helpful tips?

Flag
Hide content

8 Comments

Latest activity by D.k., on October 20, 2019 at 8:21 PM

Devoted July 2020
Ali · on October 16, 2019 at 7:57 PM
Flag

Hide content
Think about how much you'd eat of each thing. Multiply that by how many people you have coming. We are doing sandwiches and fruits and veggies. Half a pound of meat per person, a couple slices of cheese pp, and random fruits and veg for everyone. We have maybe 20 probably showing up so were looking at 10 pounds of meats, rando breads and cheeses (approx 3 pounds of cheese) and random fruits and veggies.
- Reply
Dedicated June 2021
Camilla · on October 17, 2019 at 12:57 AM
Flag

Hide content
That is a clever plan...
Its always better to have more food than not enough. Maybe cut down on sides. And just tell you family to bring a side or drinks
- Reply
Devoted July 2020
Brandi · on October 17, 2019 at 10:04 AM
Flag

Hide content
I do agree with Ali and Camilla. First, whatever you have, make sure everyone can get two plates of it. You rather have more food than not enough. Additionally, double up on the appetizers because you never know how timing will work and people will want to fill up on the quick, finger foods. Hope this helps.
- Reply
WeddingWire Administrator January 2025
Sinéad · on October 18, 2019 at 9:44 AM
Flag

Hide content
Hey there!
If you are requesting that your family don't bring any dishes with them, I wouldn't assume that they will (no matter how sure you are that they will anyway). You don't want to not have enough food for your guests. If you end up with too much, you can send some leftovers home with some of your family members or friends.
Your menu sounds delicious, by the way!
Congratulations on your engagement!
- Reply
Expert October 2017
Florida Marlins · on October 20, 2019 at 5:24 PM
Flag

Hide content
I am going to go against the grain and respectfully suggest two things:
Skip the surprise wedding, even though it is Easter, people will not put the effort into it as they would attending a wedding.
There is no way around people bringing food if they have in the past. Chances are they will bring something that does not go with your food plan. I would be annoyed if I cooked, transported and brought food that went untouched. Maybe I am just cranky, lol.
Why do you want to surprise people?
- Reply
Savvy April 2020
D.k. · on October 20, 2019 at 8:09 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
We decided to do a surprise wedding because we dont have parents who are with us any longer so we have a whole chunk of traditions that don’t really apply to us... father/daughter or mother/son dances, the speeches from the parents, the walking me down the aisle, the pinning of the boutonnieres, my mom putting my necklace on... it’s hard knowing to have so many empty spots and no way to fill them.

So, to us, it’s silly to try to fit our unique family into a traditional setting that doesn’t work for us. The surprise removes any thoughts of “how sad her dad isn’t here... how sad her mom is gone...” and replaces it with pure happiness and excitement.

I think I will just tell them it’s catered. They’ve never brought food to any event I’ve had catered. 🤔 My kid’s graduation parties have all been catered and everyone just came and had fun and didn’t bring anything.
- Reply
Savvy April 2020
D.k. · on October 20, 2019 at 8:15 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
That’s a good idea. The one thing that throws me off is I have friends who don’t eat pork but my fiancé doesn’t eat chicken so I dont want to do just one type of meat. But I also don’t want to make as much as I would eat of both meats because not everyone is going to eat both meats.

Our guest list is around 75 people (we all have big families) so it can add up quick.
- Reply

Savvy April 2020
D.k. · on October 20, 2019 at 8:21 PM
Flag

Hide content
View Quoted Comment
I think you’re right about the appetizers. I’ll have to go back through my recipes and see what additional appetizers I can do. I’ve been going back and fourth about creating edible arrangements for each table or just having an appetizer table.
- Reply