diy Catering

Definitely not recommended. We decided on DIY taco bar for rehearsal, caterer for reception and to cut budget we are doing DIY dessert at the reception. We wanted to cut budget but with all the other details and planning (especially last minute) that go into the wedding, it is worth the cost to pay for a caterer and feed my guests a nice meal. Plus so many caterers will provide place settings or manage rentals. So a lot of times the amount of time it can save you is priceless.

It seems like you have already decided that you wish to self cater. It is your choice but we have all given you the reasons not too. Yes you could do this....you could do a lot of things but please realize that not everything we do comes out the way we intend. If this is the way you decided to cater then please ensure you have insurance to cover any guests that get sick or any damage to items caused by guests getting ill.

Hahaha yes

My brother used to own a restaurant and is a very good cook so he has “everything” needed for an event. So he and his wife decided to prepare his SIL’s wedding food. They (with help from family and friends) were chopping and preparing everything until 3:00 am the night before. Then on the wedding day they spent all day cooking and serving so didn’t enjoy the party at all. If you want to enjoy your party don’t do it, it’s very time consuming... Besides everything ppl had already said.

I would totally look into contacting local Italian restaurants in your area. Especially with that large of a guest list it can bring down the PP $$$. Also, like someone else said Olive Garden caters. It would definitely be worth checking out. I got a quote from one of my local restaurants of $12 PP including salad and rolls.

Every time I see a topic that says “diy catering,” a piece of my soul dies

I'm just here for the comments, but do you!

**I haven't read through all the responses, just FYI.** Have you thought about ordering from a food truck? My FH and I are having our wedding in Charlotte, NC and the food truck culture here is huge. Also inexpensive. The truck we're getting to cater has been voted best catering in the city three years in a row, and they include everything a traditional catering business or restaurant would include: servers to stay with the buffet and refill when needed, plates, napkins, flatware, etc. And we're feeding around 110 people for $2,000. Just something to look into, as a food truck isn't usually the first thing to jump to someone's mind for a wedding!

Can't believe this thread is still alive. Lol!

View Quoted Comment @OP Allie

Look into state parks for weddings. This is what we are doing for my son and his FW. There are many options within our state of VA., almost all have table and chairs included in the venue you will have to do a special permit if you want to use a different part of the park for the ceremony. not sure were you are but check on google. I also have a friend's husband that has been going catering for a couple of years his go to is BBQ and he can serve 75 guest for $350-$500 . They want to do a taco bar so we will be getting together to talk about menus and if it's not within the budget we will go back to BBQ. Look on Facebook groups and ask for recommendations. We were at first thinking about DIY but I don't want to be cooking and all that at his wedding and I'm just the MOG as a bride and groom you should be enjoying your day not cooking. We will be doing a lot of DIY to save money just not food, all decorating using real touch silk flowers. hitting up sell and buy boards. Invites through VistaPrint, buying linens, table runners, and chair sashes through a company I found research it's cheaper then renting. They aren't having a Dj they are doing a playlist on iTunes, with bluetooth speakers that my husband and 2 of my 5 children own and her uncle is an amazing singer will also sing. This is my son's account he registered and told me to just use it. Since I'm doing most of the research and planning for them. They have no idea what all is involved he's 21 and she is 19 plus they have a 7 month old. It can be done the total budget between all the parents and the couple is about $3000 I hope this helps you some and best of luck to you I really hope you find a venue and cater that will work with in your budget.

We were considering doing the same thing; my wedding venue is my parents farm. However, we found a caterer that would do the dinner for $6.00 per person and I couldn't beat that.

Thanks!

I can't seem to discern if those posters that are stating that self catering is a "good idea" and "why didn't [they] think of this" are kidding or not. Let me set the record straight: SELF-CATERING IS A BAD IDEA. Reasons: you and your guests shouldn't be working on your wedding day, health concerns (reheat temperature, food poisoning), it is the caters that are in charge of a venue turnover from ceremony to reception, and most venues require that you have event insurance (in case the venue gets damaged during the event) and you generally get that through your caters. In addition, who will serve the food? And no alcohol at all? That's definitely bad hosting. Alcoholic drinks are associated with celebrations and having a good time. At least do a limited bar, i.e. beer and wine only. If you are worried about costs, cut your guest list and host properly: hire a licensed cater and have a [limited] bar.

Most venues require a licensed and insured cater because of the food safety risks. In this day and age lawyers are called everytime someone gets a stomach ache. On top of that, it's very difficult to hold food at the right temperature, and caterers typically either have really expensive coolers to keep the food warm, or they par cook it and bring it to temp on site so that the quality still good. One of the bigger costs of outside catering is service, so if the venue allows it see if the caterer will do a drop off.

Please do not cause you or your family this stress. I have seen it, been the guest, and it does not go well. Not work the money saved.

As PP’s said there are a lot of reason NOT to do this, primarily it is a health code violation. I have seen BBQ places offer catering for as little as $9 per person. I do not believe you could try to cook for your guests any less than that anyways.

Also think about the the fact that you will likely be asking your nearest and dearest to work for your wedding and they should be able to enjoy your day, not spend their time heating, cooking, and serving food.

View Quoted Comment Hahaha ❤️❤️❤️

Be careful with DIY and Catering...I CANNOT stress this enough PLEASE. Make sure you've got the right equipment to do it and it can handle a big crowd.

That is one of the very FEW things I agree with others on this board is that you CANNOT skimp around the catering without risking a HUGE liability. :o

Please be careful!

Food poisoning is really serious! I have a friend that found a venue that would allow you to self cater. The guests brought food instead of gifts. It was a lot of fun and the food was great. However, they did have someone making sure the food was kept at the right temperature the entire time.

Of course you are going to hear it's a health risk and you can be sued and all that jazz. But honestly I've looked into it and in order to sue someone for food poisoning you have to prove negligence. I'm not saying that you should self cater either. It's extremely hard to do this and a lot of work. Sometimes we think we can host 150 people sufficiently and save money if we do it ourselves and NO you cant. I don't know how many guest you are having but you may need to cut your list of change the timing. If you are really trying save money have a early ceremony and reception and serve subs with fruit and veggie trays and some punch and cake. Also look into restaurants, you will be surprised how affordable it is to have them cater.

I was in a wedding, and the bride's family sent home dishes they had prepped to be cooked in people's homes (they didn't have enough oven space). They had hawaiian food, some of the chicken ended up being under cooked which was a bummer. I'd plan on food that was hard to undercook, so pasta is a good option. I bought disposable chafing dishes for my graduation party, it was easy clean up and everything stayed warm. It was $15 for 3 dishes and candles.