Family help?

Personally, I would advise against this. There are so many variables that can go wrong. Like you said, the week of the wedding WILL BE busy. I know from experience. And cooking that much food is a lot to handle, plus they would have to know proper food safety (cooking, serving, storing, etc.). Also, they would have to miss big parts of the wedding, because they will have to serve and tend to the food at the wedding. Unless the ones offering are professional caterers and want to do this as their gift, then I would really consider going with the venue's.

View Quoted Comment 100% this. Even if your family doesn't have a lot going on the week before you will and it's something you will be worrying about. I'd just go with the venue.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! Thats what I thought. And her catering price isn’t even that bad. Do you think maybe having them do some desserts would be ok? Or would you advise against it?

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Desserts may be okay. But I would compare pricing to see if the cost of them buying the ingredients to bake / time it will take is worth it or cheaper then what you could have the venue make.

I think desserts would be ok too! Cookies for instance would be simple and easier.

There were so many last minute details the week before the wedding, I can’t imagine the stress of coordinating cooking, and all the details that go along with it (storage warming reheating plates and serving meats etc etc)— not worth the headache. I felt like I went into my wedding week in good shape but there were a couple of last minute items on my chore list, but I felt scheduled and prepared to handle them . ...here is what I DIDNT consider. Some family and some friends traveled in early for the wedding. They’d swing by the house and say hello, which I loved....but then I’d just want to hang out and visit . So things kept getting pushed back and delayed — and “oh I’ll be fine I can do that tomorrow” got foiled when someone ELSE showed up. I had to be rude and eventually say a quick hello and then lock myself away to work, and miss out. It got done but it was like at the last hour and I eventually had to say “if it’s not done by X time, it just isn’t, and I don’t care !” ...this was fine bc it was decor....butttt, that wouldn’t have been fine with food!

I think desserts would be totally do-able. I love seeing bars and cookies at weddings. If you really want to stretch it, they could get away with appetizer like items for the cocktail hour. You will just have to work with them on the menu so it's not too complicated. Someone in charge of fruit and/or veggie trays, someone in charge of snacky items like chex mix, pretzels etc and someone on a hot option like mini weanies? It all depends on your vision!

I think dessert is the better option if they want to do something that badly.

Maybe you could offer them the opportunity to cater a rehearsal dinner for a smaller group instead?

Tell them it stresses you out. You love that they are so willing to do this, but you're just worried about what could go wrong. Express how much you love them and love that they would do this, but simply tell them you would rather them help you relax and enjoy festivities with guests!

Oh, please don't let your family "cater" the wedding unless one of them is professionally licensed. Just tell them no. Too many risks associated with contamination, food allergies, keeping all the food at correct temperatures the day of. Overall jsut not a good idea.