diy Lasagna Catering

This is a terrible idea 💡

So you’re going to ask everyone to bring a random pan of lasagna and hope that no one gets ill from either food poisoning, cross contamination, and / or food allergies?

I’d be PO if I was invited to a wedding and that was asked of me.

Why would you invite 250 people when you knew you couldn’t afford it? Where’s your $10K going to?

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This! It is a TON of work for you and all the people you ask to make it.

Say a lasagna feeds roughly 8. That would be at least 32 lasagnas for each person to have 1 piece. Do you and your people have the resources like pans and those heater things to keep things warm? By the time you buy/rent everything you would need to feed that many people you could easily get Olive Garden to cater it for you and not stress out people that shouldn't be working for you.

If I was a BM and the bride said you need to make and bring 6 lasagnas for my wedding I'd be like no thanks but have a nice wedding.

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As a lawyer, I can tell you that you probably had a unique case and clearly a great lawyer! I didn't state that no one will ever successfully sue for food-poisoning. Of course, it happens. BUT every state is different. AND a food allergy incident is not a generic food poisoning incident (so you already had a different case). Plus, was it a restaurant or professional caterer where your allergy occurred? If yes, then of course you were successful because those entities have a higher standard of care because they are professionals. Did you specifically request certain allergy-free food? (as in, did the parties know that you had the allergy) Did the menu explicitly state "allergy free?" All of these facts make your situation different than a person who hosts a party and serves spoiled lasagna. In general, it would be difficult (not impossible) for someone to establish liability for typical food poisoning at a private, non-professionally catered party.

How many ovens does this place have?? Lasagna takes a long time to heat through. I’d be worried about everyone not be able to eat all at the same time

I made lasagna for my daughters 1st birthday party for about 25-35 people and it was hell! I would never do it for my wedding, as I guest I wouldn't eat at a wedding where I didnt know where the food was coming from and who made it. Also if you knew 250 were coming u should have budgeted for catering.

Do you have a fazolis in your area. A rough estimate based on thier catering menu came back at under $2500 for for catering a lasagna and fettuccine alfredo meal for all your guests and that includes salad bread sticks, iced tea and/or lemonade and cookie and/or browie trays. I'd think this wouldn't be a whole lot more than making them yourself for that many guests and would be less work, safer and provide a larger meal

Your family and friends may have agreed to cook but I would be very annoyed if I was in a wedding and I was expected to make two huge lasagnas. My husband makes a GREAT lasagna but it takes ages to make and clean up after (he’s a very messy cook lol). Also there’s so many things in there that need to be keep at the right temp (meat and cheese) and it take so long to heat up a cold lasagna fully!

My concern with self catered weddings is keeping food warm and safe for guests and well as having enough. Personally I think 250 is way too many people to expect you friends and family to cook for. They will be running around trying to heat up and serve food and in no way will enjoy themselves. Even on a budget I don’t think you should compromise on professionally catered food. I’d look into Olive Garden or a similar Italian restaurant.

I'm definitely in the minority here, but we have done 3 family weddings (before mine) where we did our own food, and my SIL did that for hers, as well. I will say, however, none of our weddings were that big. I think doing this successfully totally depends on the amount of guests. I would suggest having another main course option other than lasagna. For most catered meals, you at least have the choice between 2 meats. If someone doesn't like lasagna, are they just supposed to not eat? For mine, we're doing 3 or 4 main dishes and several sides to ensure there is something for everyone, but we are also doing dishes that can be made in crock-pots and roasters, so we don't need to worry about how to heat and keep warm. We've never had anyone complain about helping to contribute food, and it is definitely a way to keep your budget down. In my experience, people don't get offended that you've asked them to help, especially the bridal party. Their whole purpose is to help support you on your big day, and in my experience, they are glad to help. Same with our families. It would be a different if you were asking your general attendees to bring food, that would be weird and a bit rude. But asking your inner circle to contribute is a completely different story in my opinion. Bottom line is: do what is best for you, and don't worry about what others think is right or proper etiquette. You know your family/friends, and you know if they would be willing and happy to help you with this endeavor. Go with your gut. Good luck!

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! While I certainly understand a tighter budget, catering the event yourself is not the solution. It is so much work to put on yourselves, family, and friends. Not only are you asking them to make lasagnas, but who will be refreshing the buffets or cleaning up afterwards? Who will handle the plates, silverware, napkins, serving pieces for the buffet? What if a guest has an allergy, and needs to discuss the ingredients. Will you be able to track whose lasagna is whose? Are you food safe certified? What happens if someone gets sick? That is an awful lot of responsibilities to take on. I would keep looking for a caterer.

This a very cool idea, I'm doing my wedding food as well. I have a bit of an advantage point though with working in food service. I would make sure everything is stored and heated/kept to proper temperature. Dont let guests eat things lukewarm or after being out on the warmers for longer than two hours. You can find food thermometers at any place that has kitchen items to make sure your food is staying at a safe temperature. I hope this helps a bit.

Yikes! Some of these responses, while well-meaning, come off sounding a little crass. I agree that you might be biting off a little more than you can chew with the potluck thing. Having friends and family contribute might be helpful, but it's a big health liability. To keep your budget down, have you thought of a reception catered with simple appetizers? Good luck to you!

I think a DIY lasagna dinner sounds nice, but my concern would be do you want to be spending your wedding day heating up food? And when would you find the time to heat up the food yourself? I think at the very least, you should hire a friend or family member to take care of food setup / take down.

Omg I would be anxious reading all of this msgs. Christal the one thing I agree is that you are better off all cooking together so the taste of it is all the same. I’ll take some advices as far as making sure you can heat up at least 2 or 3 at the time and have someone always ready to put more on the oven.
You better than anyone know your people so prep for it but don’t freak out. You can do this.

This sounds incredibly hard. Besides the already mentioned issues above, not everyone like lasagna. I have a friend that hates lasagna so she immediately came to mind while reading this. What would someone such as my friend (or someone with dietary restrictions) eat? Just sides? And as a member of a wedding party I would NOT be happy to be asked to make food for someone's wedding. I can make dinner myself and my FH with no issues but making lasagnas for someone's wedding that has a guest count of 250 would make me nervous to say the least.

I think that catering for so many is one thing you'll be happy you did. Chick-fil-A, Olive Garden and other restaurants have really affordable catering. I went to a wedding that had burgers and it was fun and affordable. There's lots of options that might cost less than cooking and stress you way less!

If it were me, I'd never risk catering my own wedding. You can easily get food for $10 pp or do a cake/punch reception outside a meal time. But if you insist on doing it, I'd hire someone to serve the food and keep it at food safe temperatures. I would get all ingredients for each lasagna and put them on papers people can read when they eat so they can avoid certain ones if they have special diets or food allergies. I would supply coolers for everyone transporting it, so they can get it from their fridge to the venue without it getting above food safe temperatures.

Sounds like fun and tasty. I love lasagna and plan to have it at my wedding. Haven't decided on whether to make or order it from some place and pick it up the day of. I am sorry I don't have any advice but I hope it works out.

View Quoted Comment I found a BBQ place that does two meats and 2 sides with 3 drinks and 2 apps for $14/person (~$3500) in the Washington DC area as well. OP, you could also ask for them to just drop it off and that would remove the service fee (~$2000 for that large a group). It’s doable within your budget and not worth your family’s energy to make so much food.

I would also encourage you not to do this. It is a lot to expect your bridal party and family to supply food for 250 people. It is also a lot of extra work they should not be expected to do. I would definitely come up with a different idea. I don't enjoy cooking so there is no way I would ever want to or agree to cook food for someone's wedding. Also, like other people have said have you thought about the potential for food poisoning or allergies. Are you also having your family and bridal party supply all of the sides and drinks? If so, I would be really angry if you expected me to do that.

Well, I think everyone has said it. This is a terrible idea. You have 4 days until your wedding and you don't have any food for 250+ people. Did you already go through your budget? If not, I would start calling Fazoli's or Walmart/Kroger deli and have some chicken dinners thrown together ASAP.