Ice cream bar ?

I'm picturing a melty mess. Good luck. ETA: the only helpful thing I can think of is maybe dry ice?

This seems like it could be a bit tricky to me. You have to make sure the ice cream is kept cold enough that it won't melt. Also, are you having someone serve the ice cream? Or are you allowing guests to do their own? Because this could also become messy as well. Idk about everyone else, but I hate scooping ice cream, and always make a mess. Just a thought though...

$25 total?! That's like 5 tubs of ice cream and 1 jar of sprinkles.

We did this at a college I used to work with (catering/retail manager here).

Have 3-4 different flavors of ice cream. Fill tubs or oversized bowls with ice and have it all around the bottom/middle of the ice cream container to keep it as cold as possible. Restaurant supply stores will have tubs that are solid colors and don't look like a bucket from home depot. They should also be able to hold cold temps.

If you do go this route try to include non-dairy choices (like sorbets)!

I think you might need to expand your budget for this one.

I agree to limit the flavour options (Chocolate, vanilla, one "speciality" and maybe one dairy-free?) I think @MrsA is spot on about how to keep it cold when it comes out of the freezer. I think I'd serve it at the same time as the cake, tbh. You don't want anyone filling up on one without getting a chance at the other.

Our cater is letting us use a staff member for the 30 minute serve time at no charge . I coupon so all of the actual products are bought for the low.

Quick Breakdown , I know it will asked :

Ice cream 0.50 a tub x 6 = $3.00 ( getting this weekend )

Clear Chinet cups 0.10 a package 25 x 5 = 0.50

Topping - Skittles, Oreo Cookies , Chips Ahoy , Gummie bears/worms , sprinkles = 1.80

Sauces - Chocolate , Strawberry , Caramel, Pineapple = 0.00

Ice cream cups - still waiting on deal

Spoons - Still waiting on deal

Tubs to store ice cream - Dollar Tree ( haven't purchased yet )

As of right now I've only spent $5.30

I manage an ice cream shop and I've ran a numbers of events. For $25, it honestly wouldn't even cover labor for the event.

It involves set up, purchasing the ice cream, toppings, dishes, spoons, etc. Also, the vendor providing ice cream may need certain permits/licenses to serve dairy, state of Pennsylvania requires it. A caterer may be able to include this, but a shop that does events would honestly have it perfected but it will cost way more than $25.

Edit: A shop that does events would also have some sort of cart or set up that ensures the product stays cold. Because ya know, food safety!

I love an ice bar but only premium or soft serve lol.

We're having a sundae bar provided by our venue and it'll be served at the same time as our cake. I don't know exactly what is included except I know the only flavors are chocolate and vanilla. It was part of the package we selected, so no complaints here since there was no additional charge for it.

That breakdown confuses me.

The reception will be in our church banquet room . Which is complete DIY so there isn't many rules other than the alcohol . There is also 2 large commercial refrigerators available to hold the ice cream until ready to serve .

@ Swin : What confuses you about the breakdown ?

If you're going to do this, I would have someone pre-scoop the ice cream about 24 hrs ahead of time and freeze the scoops on a lined baking sheet until they're frozen solid. Then transfer those scoops to your serving buckets until ready to serve. That should make serving go more quickly, and cut down on melting.

Something like this but on a larger scale...

Cool idea , thanks Laura !

Def offer a dairy free option if you are going to do this, most people can't tolerate icecream well..or make sure your venue has enough bathrooms

Lol @ Rene

I've seen cute ice cream cups at Target in the red spot section. Several per pack for $1.

You would need dry ice for it to stay frozen unrefrigerated for long. Some on-line companies deliver ice cream bars with a cooler and dry ice if you can afford it.

While it sounds delicious, it could be a pain. I would go the frozen scoop route, to make it easier!