DIY catering for an appetizer/dessert reception

We are doing the same thing we are getting chafing dishes from my aunt and putting meatballs in them we are also doing sandwiches and fruit and vegetable trays. We are also doing tortilla rolls. Chips with dip. For the desserts we are doing 4 different pies our cake and some brownies and cookies. We expect about 75 people. email me at ****************@*****.*** if i could be of any more help to you.

I would use Costco for a lot pf the appetizers, because even though we are having a caterer I noticed you can get a lot pf the same types of food there in bulk for very cheap! They have mini spanokopeta which you can keep in your freezer until you are ready to prepare it, mini burger sliders, cilantro lime shrimp, cheese and meat platters etc. also great mini desserts

We are but only for about 50 people

Thanks for the advice.. I didn't mention this but as for the waitstaff ladies from the mission team at my church will be doing it and my dad is making a donation to the mission team for it. Most of the donations go to helping out our local community and my family feels strongly about the money going to a good cause

If you have room, do separate stations:

1. any hot food and appetizers/cheese and grapes with strawberries, cherries

2. desserts. Do set up cookies and candies in jars and bowls (supply cello bags and zip lock bags so they can take some home - this would double as a favor)

3. A station for your cake with plate and serving utensils

4. A station with drinks, a nice punch bowl (spiked or just fruit) - you can do a search on google for a recipe

5. Also set up a table for gifts and your sign in book

You also need a place for silverware/serving plates, etc. which can be on the same table as food if there is room

You can also go to Costco or Sam's Club for great pre-made appetizers like pot stickers, mini pizzas, chicken wings and the like which just need to be warmed up and are not too expensive. A small tray of each would be okay, just to add some hot foods.

We are but we're only doing fruit/cheese/cracker platters & crudite's for around 30-50ish ppl.

pinwheels, wraps, mini quiches, meatballs, cocktail weanies, stuffed mushrooms, Brie w/sliced bageutte, shrimp cocktail, mini crabcakes, soup shooter's like gazpacho, anti-pasta tray or kabobs, spreadable cheeses w/a variety of crackers, wing dings, chips & dips like tortilla w/spinach & artichoke, mini egg rolls, dim sum, bruschetta, tortellini toothpick kabob w/marinara or alfredo for dipping, stuffed veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers w/cream cheese variety dips or deviled eggs. I can go on but I hope any of this helps. Most can be ordered from Costco, Sam's or local grocer. Good luck!

My step-mom, and future mother-in-law are cooking for our reception. We're having roughly 25-40 people since it's a destination wedding. We've planned on having our entire ceremony/reception at a beach house so I was thinking more finger foods, salads, and small deserts. His mom is making our "cupcake cake", but I'm half-tempted to ask the guests to bring a dish, but I don't really see how this would be feasible since like I said most are traveling quite a bit. Trust me you're not the only one out there trying to make things easier (and cheaper!).