Thanksgiving dinner for wedding

I have no idea on your measurements (I have never hosted Thanksgiving dinner) but just wanted to wish you good luck with the responses!

Also are you planning to have an early Thanksgiving? I would def not expect everyone to sit around for a week waiting for the reception to start.

This doesn't sound like enough food. I would cook this for about 15 people and we have heavy eaters. I know the caterer seems like a lot of money, but sometimes the stress is not worth the savings. This is a special dinner that you and your family want to enjoy with no worries. Look into other caterers in your area and let them handle the dinner so you can relax and enjoy the time with your loved ones

We figured with the insane amount of sides this should have been right? were having 7 sides, and a shit ton of appetizers. his family doesnt eat much, mine will eat everything. ugh I was trying to avoid catering like the plague but that doesnt seem to be working out for me lol.

I agree with Sarah. At .5 lbs per person, that's only enough turkey for 32 people.

Also, have you thought about how you're going to cook 4 turkey breasts and 2 hams at the same time? Just thinking that Thanksgiving dinner in my family (about 10 people) usually involves baking a turkey for several hours, while trying to keep assorted sides warm, and no one's having a vow renewal in the middle of that.

I host Thanksgiving and it doesn't matter how much prep I do I miss the party because I am in the kitchen. and I have about 15 guests on average.Do not do that to yourself. Pay and get it catered so you can live in the moment and not miss a thing because you had to check the turkey and ham

Well yea, none of my family lives here, and I will be starting a new chemo treatment the actual week of Thanksgiving so I wanted to have a sit-down family style dinner with all the people I love. Ive talked to about 6 caterers and I hate how the second you say vow renewal or wedding they're prices suddenly go up by like 70%.

Yes, "someone will just say cater it." Like almost everyone on here.

I can't help you with the meat per person, as there are many vegetarians in our family/social circle.

Thats a tad bit dramatic so lets calm the whole people dying from eating my food ordeal. The turkey and ham are PRE COOKED, and so Im just warming them. I can fit 6-8 in my oven and another 8 in my moms and they take 1.5 hours to cook, and the wedding isnt until 6 at night.

I'm the youngest of 6 in a big Italian family and my mom would get 30lb turkey and it was just enough to feed us 10. I know it had lots of bones but just a general idea. So for 40 people I would do 60-70 lbs of meat maybe a bit more so you can have leftovers

I also host holiday meals and vote for hire a caterer.

Just to ease the stress. It usually takes a week of laziness to recover from all the cooking.

Don't you want to be relaxed?

Don't you want to enjoy yourself and be strong for your next round?

Please hire someone. Or check with the local grocery stores. Here we have Wegmans and they make holiday meals, deliver them to your house, and will setup.

Good luck to you.

I was previously on here, a few months ago and was told I was going into remission. Well shit changed, I am not, and this is looking like my last big party. I have always cooked Thanksgiving dinner, and I dont want to go out not being able too on my final year. I usually cook a 20 lb turkey and 10 lb am for 15 people. so I will triple everything. I dont know why its so important to me to do this, but everyone is telling me to take it easy and its making my blood boil. My disease has taken everything from me, and it feels like more and more shit is getting out of my control. so I know all you brides have your catering opinion and I know its probably all very true, but for fuck sake I dont care, I just want someone who can give me the right fucking numbers.

And how will your food stay hot with the meat with transportation?

How will you keep all the sides hot?

Who will clean up the dishes and the house?

I'm sorry for your medical issues but you really want to work for your last big meal with your family?

I don't know the slightest with meat numbers but the amount you speak of sounds about right. I assume it's 40 adults

I am really sorry for all of the medical stuff you are going through. Please hire a caterer, and sit back, relax, and enjoy your day.

Sarah thank you. I am in a nasty mood right now so forgive me (we just had to put my service dog down) its been a fucking nightmare over here. I just wanted a day of normalcy. I love cooking, my mom cooks, and so does my husband. this is still cheaper in the long run which makes me happy so thank you for the numbers, you have no idea how much this helps. I know the normal bride would be pulling her hair out, but I am going to have a back up when it comes to all of this just in case I do become too sick to do anything

If this is important to you and is something you feel you need to do, it is not my place to say other wise. My advice came from someone that hosts and doesn't get to really enjoy the party I throw

I would suggest buying 10-12 turkey breasts and 4-6 hams. I would lean towards the higher numbers. I also like to have a lot of left overs to send people home with. I rather have more food than not enough

Its at my moms house.

I have chaffing dishes.

and Im pretty sure I wont die through washing dishes.

Depends on the brand you get but I am pretty sure you need.

26 lbs of Ham

@8 oz pp you would need 20 lbs of turkey breast

Try this:

http://www.cheftalk.com/f/

If you tell them exactly what you're serving, including sides and desserts, they'll recommend a good amount of everything to prepare. They're professional chefs; this is their deal. I ask culinary questions there all the time and I always get good answers.

Hi Chanel. I totally understand what you're going through. I am truly sorry you are no longer in remission. If this is something you really want to do, then do it. Don't let negativity bring you down or change your plans. You seem like a fighter and I pray you can continue to fight and have the strength to cook again. Not sure if you read my comment but in case you didn't I would get 70-90 lbs of meat. Enjoy and keep your head up

Check out www.ellenskitchen.com. She has a bunch of holiday turkey meal ideas with breakdowns. I understand that you feel you need to do this, but also check with local grocery deli's as they normally also have the full family dinner specials around the holidays.

Cancer sucks...kick it in the balls!