We have a small budget for our wedding and we are having a late ceremony at 4pm with the party starting opposite the church in a large hall, My friend has offered to do the food but she is also my Bridesmaid so we need something easy to sort out that can either be laid out earlier in the day or when she and the other maids arrive at the hall, any suggestions we do have a kitchen on site but i don't want them to feel chained to that when there is a party going on, any suggestions on what to serve so it does not appear cheap will be appreciated, also we are catering for 160 people but not everyone will have a seat, do you think this will be a problem, there is a separate bar are where the food will be served that holds 60 people, there will be dressed tables round the room for people to sit down and eat in the main hall, we are worried people will think we haven't made an effort, any opinions ladies will be appreciated, still got 15 months to go but i need to plan ahead. Thanks Karen
CommentAuthorbecky -mrs firth
u cant really put a buffet out too early hun! say ure buffet starts at 7 ish 5.30 wud b earliest u cud for food sake etc etc! i wudnt want a bm doin it either they be busy wiv piccies etc hun x
Engaged 27th November 2010
Hen Do Newcastle 2nd June 2012
Marrying the man of my dreams 11th August 2012!
Honeymoon To Jamaica 14th October 2012
CommentAuthormuffypat
That's what i was thinking, need a plan B think it will have to be aunties roped in.......Cheers x
CommentAuthorGriff
best thing to do is prep the food the night before and get it set so it is easily accessible and ready to just put on the table. That way you can have others help to put the buffet out xxx
CommentAuthorzowie
I went to a christening a few months back and my friend had made some chicken curry and chilli in slow cookers which meant it was ready when everyone got back from the church. She then put "picky bits" on the side like sandwiches, chicken wings etc. The hot food went down really well and was really simple to do x
Blimey! food for 160! I think you need a 'team' of helpers not just a couple. The food preparation is quite easy but it is the transportation and refrigeration that is the hard part. Like Becky says, food cant be left out on a potentially warm day. Has the church any volunteers or helpers or even family friends you could ask or token gesture pay to possibly pay to set up for you? Even if the bm etc helped with the refills etc it will be difficult to set up without refrigeration.
CommentAuthormuffypat
We have fridges in the hall and can do all the preparing earlier in the day - BM thinks it will all be ok but i am worried i don't want a disaster on my hands! Chilli idea is good! We do have a huge oven on site so can just make up cauldrons of food I might even try and get the hall hired out for a few hours the night before so we can get everything down there beforehand, i think i am going to need an army of helpers at this rate, the hall doesn't hire help just bar staff, it's hard to recruit people as those invited to the evening will also be at the church, stressing already and i've 14 months to go!!!!!! Thanks for tips xx
CommentAuthorJilly17
Yes getting the hall the night before so you can dress it and get everything down there sounds a great idea! Dont panic too much, I am sure people will pitch in!
CommentAuthormcewan07
I liked the idea i read about holding a picnic wedding. Where all your guests could take a basket (with prepairedfood in it) and blankets (thought it was a wonderfull suggestion to someone who wanted a cheaper wedding)
CommentAuthorbecky -mrs firth
my mate did her buffet day before....... the bread was awful by next day so prep the fillins and everything elseand get sandwichs done alst thing
Engaged 27th November 2010
Hen Do Newcastle 2nd June 2012
Marrying the man of my dreams 11th August 2012!
Honeymoon To Jamaica 14th October 2012
CommentAuthorjanetx71
i like mcewan07s idea or go the american way which i seen recently and do a pot luck reception where each guest brings something it looked great when they did it xxxx
CommentAuthormuffypat
Cheers ladies, most of the food will be cold and there are loads of bakers nearby so i will have fresh bread! i think we will do meat platters and french sticks rather than sandwiches with bowls of salad then pate and cheeses too so it will be more ploughmansy rather than sandwiches - i think i am just getting too involved worrying about everyone else, 14 months 2 mums 7 aunts and 8 bridesmaids i am sure we can cope....... well i hope so, if not it is profiteroles and wedding cake all round!!! xxx
CommentAuthorAbi4tomboy
we are doing a cole food buffett we are doing all our food friday night and well we are getting married at 2pm my mums friends are getting it to the venue for 3pm
CommentAuthormuffypat
The other problem i have is i am the only one that lives in London! My Groom is in Newcastle as are his family and my parents live in Norfolk, the bridesmaids live in essex so we have 1 cooker mine in a 1 bed flat...... plus 8 Bridesmaids and a bride to get ready here!
CommentAuthorkimi1987
i was thinking of doing my own buffet. our ceremony is at 3pm and was thinking of keeping it at my mums until we get back to bristol at about half 5ish then taking it to the venue and guests can just help themselves to it. works out cheaper for me to make do our buffet than pay a caterer to do it for us.
caught the catch of my lifetime
25.05.2013. best day of my life
CommentAuthorKaz
We've the same problem, but the church is the opposite end of town to the reception! Thinking 2 large bowls of cold pasta, there are tons to choose from and they can all be cooked night before 3 different types of cold pasty, cheap and easy Lots of salad French sticks, sliced Crisps for kiddies Potato salad and thats as far as we've got! lol
WARNING:
I say the first thing I think of!
CommentAuthorHappilymarried Mrs G
Im thinking along similar lines to kaz, also planning on getting a couple of big joints of meat such as ham and beef get them cooked and sliced the day before with some large jars of various pickles.
CommentAuthorAbi4tomboy
are buffet was lovely everyone said how nice it was will gladly share a list of what we put out if anyone wants it but my gosh there was loads and people even took food home
CommentAuthorVicky
My friend are getting married in two week and are getting there guest to bring along there favourite dish its then going to be put on a big table and everyone can help them selves while getting to try out food they wouldnt normally eat..
CommentAuthorMichelleFarrar
Do as much prep as you can of cold food the day before then it only need to be laid out and then do a big pot of something to be re-heated before serving. People thenm have the choice of hot or cold food! Good luck xx
CommentAuthorkimi1987
abi what sort of things did u do for your buffet?
caught the catch of my lifetime
25.05.2013. best day of my life
CommentAuthorclareabella
what about pie n peas n gravy mint sauce
ooooo muchly love my mr c fletcher
CommentAuthorclareabella
ooooo muchly love my mr c fletcher
CommentAuthorbecky -mrs firth
i dont think alot of people wud eat cold pasta!
Engaged 27th November 2010
Hen Do Newcastle 2nd June 2012
Marrying the man of my dreams 11th August 2012!
Honeymoon To Jamaica 14th October 2012
CommentAuthorjanetx71
ohhh i love pasta salads and rice salads they rock and you can hve so many different kinds your ideas sound great hun xxxx
CommentAuthorIgnition
Good luck with getting a way around it...We have managed to find a friend of the Family to do it, who is more than happy to step in, and help out, so that the others are free to mingle at the wedding and not rushing around. IT's just a case of asking around until yo find someone willing to help. xx
Can't wait to be Mrs Mansfield
Having a Fun Fair Reception
It's going To Be Awesome
Roll On The 15th September 2012
CommentAuthorAbi4tomboy
kimi we had loads we did ham,chicken,cheese & egg sandwhiches then we had ham turkey and beef rolls, ready salted crisps as everyone eats them then a few small bowls of doritos cheesy balls frazzles and onion rings then we went to iceland and brought chicken dippers pizza quiche onion rings chicken drum sticks statay kababs chicken wings mini cornish pastys chocaltte gatue black forest gatue and strawberry gatue (2 of each) strawberry cheese cake rasbery pavalova big tray of mixed biscuits and little cakes bakwell tarts french fancys apple pies ini swiss rolls bowls of sweets haribo mint imperials foam sweets ceewits tray of pengins and club biscuits cold pasta a big salad bowl a fruit bowl sasaue rolls cocktail sasages cheese and onions rolls (for the ves) chicken strips cupcakes party rings pink wafers scones jam salad cream mayonasie tomarto ketchup cheese and pinneapple sticks cheese and pickled onion sticks cheese and cherry tomatoe sticks branston pickle beetroot holo hoops olives celary spring onions salsa patatoe salad coldslaw and i think thats it lol we went to tesco iceland and morrsions and everything we liekd the look of and looked ood we brought we only spent £200 and we had enough to feed the 1000's
