What should i do?

Well why do the other family members want the wedding catered? Is it because they don't fully trust someone cooking for the wedding? I will say this we don't know where Coronas going to be so there might be a fear of eating homemade food right now. Plus remember it's a liability if someone does get sick. My opinion is I think catered is the safest way to go and I'm pretty sure you can cater for $3,000. I think for like a bridal shower or an engagement party if they want to cook and that's a great time to do it but I think for a wedding I'm not sure if all of your guests would be comfortable with home cooked Foods. I know for me as of right now I'm not sure if I would unless I really knew the person. Even sometimes with catering places I often question nowadays are they following safety measures cuz I know I've walked into to some to go places and I see them not wearing gloves or masks and that makes me immediately think I will never come back here.

Unless they are experienced and insured caterers, I wouldn’t have them provide the food for my wedding. Huge liability and could cost much more than $3k if people get sick. How big is your guest list? Depending on the area, you can usually get BBQ catered for $8-$10 pp.

I’d definitely have it catered. I feel that family and friends should simply relax and enjoy the wedding as invited guests and not be put to work like vendors.

I can see having them cook if it’s a small backyard wedding; but if not, catering would be safer and you won’t have to stress about the liability if someone gets ill or their food being nasty.

I agree with all of you. and a lot of family was worried about the liability part of it, but i can't get them to under stand that and i also cant get my soon to be husband to see that either. the only thing we are running into is the price of catering around me. It starts at $ 20 a head because i live in such a small area and with 170 people 90% being family its a little harder. but im going to keep looking maybe i can find a smaller company to do it that isn't that much.

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I wish BBQ catering was that cheap in New York state BBQ is one of the more expensive picks where I live because a lot of brides around me do BBQ.

I would 100% have it catered for safety reasons, especially since your wedding is in September 2021 and who knows when a Covid vaccine will be available...If BBQ costs a lot where you are, then I'd try Italian. If you were to have your in-laws cook, then I think you'd need to inform your guests ahead of time so they can assess the risk if they want to attend due to Covid concerns with the food prep.

Catered for safety reasons (including Covid). For convenience of all guests too, including your in-laws.

I would just buy party trays if that’s the case. That way it’s just faster less effort and they won’t cost much per person wise.

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I think that is what we are going to do cause we just found a place that does trays and for everything we wanted it was under 3000

I would have it catered, I think that's doable for $3000

The liability alone would be a deal breaker. I agree with the others- if it was a backyard BBQ with a small # of guests, that would be 1 thing. This is a wedding. Family should be enjoying the festivities.

Over a hundred people, you need a paid staff with nothing to pay attention to but the food. If they do all advanced prep, and hire servers and staff to clean up tables constantly, indoors or out, for a long cooked menu like barbecue or a clambake, with individual desserts you can set on trays the day before like brownies, cookies, and few temp sensitive or refrigerated space needing ones, this is doable, if they start at least an hour before family bails for the wedding. And it is a good reason to do as many formal portraits as possible before the wedding, son the couple and family are only gone for the ceremony plus 20 minutes. And on site before the first beer or wine is served . Service will be slower to start.

I wouldn't risk it and professional caetering is the best option. Look at cheaper options such as pizza or chipotle.

View Quoted Comment Actually, the risks of food borne illness are far worse with either pizza, chipotle, or food truck barbecue or barbecued chicken, than they are for big benefit cooked ( annual scholarship funds, fire or police fundraisers) or home cooked barbecue with large , many hour cookers on site. Even volunteer or family Crews with experience have a far better record than small or take out pros. Transportation and relocating times are when the foods are at risk. Anyone can get masks and food service gloves.

What area of the country are you from ? Is it urban, close suburban, or rural or open land? Usually what makes or breaks the event is having a site with an adequate real bathroom and washing facilities, for 200, not portapotties and a lack of water supply for kitchen and guests to wash everything as needed,

View Quoted Comment That may be true, but as a guest, I refuse to eat food made in someone's home who I do not know well, Especially if they have pets.

View Quoted Comment Food made for barbecues that is cooked 4-6-8-12 hours in half barrels or huge pots, or many hours in large pots is not made in someone's home kitchen. If you are as you state, you would not eat at a Sunday or holiday dinner cooked by someone else's family, whether 5 or 15 are involved . Are you so sure of the people restaurants
use when they hire take out, or do you bring your own a lot? Good family or volunteer cooking for groups does seem more common in different parts of the country, but is almost dumped on routinely if brought up on Wedding Wire.

View Quoted Comment I'm super OCD. I go out to eat about once a year. To my knowledge, pets are not allowed in restaurant kitchens. Chipotle catering wss just a suggesstion. No need to get upset over it. Take care.

Please I don't want fighting like I said before my fiance wanted this posted...I personally agree with all of you and I always have it's just I'm dealing with a very bullheaded group of people when it comes down to it. I did find a restaurant that does catering last night that does everything I want for less than 3000. So I'm going to be going through them thank you for all your help though ladies you definitely helped change their minds.