HAM? Wedding Reception Idea

I am doing the exact same thing. I too refuse to pay 2000+ for someone to do what i can do myself for about 500 and a little time. We are having our rehearsal two days before and spending the whole day before cooking (i have friends who have graciously donated their kitchens, i having a salad and appy base, dessert base - everyone wants that to be at their house - and a main course base.) i don`t think it`s tacky at all and i personally have been to other weddings where this is done and sometimes the food is even better. The tip is to get a lot of people to pitch in! I am also getting a deal on a cheese and meat platter and pickle tray, etc. From the grocery store (ask around, you may get a discount on your food). Just make sure you have enough refridgerator space to store the food overnight and hopefully some extra hands the day of the wedding to reheat the food for you. Our reception hall has a big kitchen so we are going to be doing the reheating there. Also see if you can rent warming trays from a party supply store and this will keep your dishes warmer longer. Good luck to you!

Hi Holly!
I just got married this past july and I did a buffet my self, I got the following items:

Roasted chickens ( I got htem at wal-mar, they were great, all we did was carthem and put them on a white platter)

We got Shirmp ( I got htem at $5.00 a Lb. So I got them really cheap, aht I made them in three diffrent ways)

Russian salad ( it is kind of a potato salad)

Spanish Tortilla de patatas

Vegetables trays

Fresh Fruit trrays, that my friend and I cut our selves ( watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe)

Chese and crackers tray

And I got the most pretiest cakes from Sams. They were delicious and they look gorgeaus.

If you will like to see pictures, just let me konw and I will sent them to you...

Let me know if I can Help you with anything else...

Good Luck

Ladies Thank you SOO much!!! It was wonderful to hear that I was not the only one doing this!!

Reme, I would love to see pictures.. This way Ill have an idea.. I didnt know Sams did wedding cakes? I may make my own and find a good way to do a Whipped cream frosting.. OR Find a good website and start making it now to test.. Until I get it the way I like.. LOL My kids would just love cake every day if I were testing it out... LOL

Thanks again!!

Holly

I`m having my catering done, but we are basically having the same kinds of foods- and if you can cook- why not do it yourself? One thing to keep in mind- although "fancy" foods look good and are considered all classy and stuff- go for the stuff you know people like. Even though we are having ours catered- we`re still going for some casual favorites like wienies in blankets and then we`re having a "carving station" with beef and ham and little rolls so people can make sandwhiches. People would rather have food they know they like than caviar and fancy toast.

You make it sound like "fancy food" is yukky. Caviar and toast is delicious! But I would only serve it as an hors doevre, not as main course.

2000 for catering?? Can you tell me what caterers your looking at?? I can hardly find one for under 5000, let alone 2000. I would love to do my own food, but I just know I don`t want myself or my family to have to worry about the details of the food and all the rest. I applaud you for your willingness to save yourself extra money!

Hi Brandie

The place that I am renting for the Hall has catering for 1600 and above. Depending on how many people are there.. I will only be having 50 people.. Most of it is family.. I want it small and Personal...

Some halls that you rent have catering offered if you choose.. BUT DO NOT have too.. Up to you..

Also I may look into doing a reception at a Hotel if they have a banquet spot for this sort of thing.. If I am lucky my Cousin *who is in the Military* can get me a discount..

Look around.. Your sure to find something...

Holly

Holly-
Thanks for the info!! Having 50 people makes the catering bill understandable!! I`m having about 175 for my wedding so that`s where the confusion was!! Good luck in your planning!!

Brandie

Reme: I am also thinking about this for my wedding...could I please see the pics?

Poverman@tampabay.rr.com

Thanks Pam

Hi Holly!!
Let me have your address and I will e-mail you some fo hte photos..

Reme,
THank you soo much!!

Purpleburpleme@yahoo.com

Holly

My suggestion would be to ask friends or family members to make the food before or during the ceremony. This can be their wedding gift to you. This way the food won`t taste leftover.

I would like to piggy back on that Idea. My best friend will be getting married summer 2004, we cannot find a facility that will let us cater it ourselves. Do you have any ideas on banquet facilities that we can use.

Are you all in the los angeles area?

Kenu, have you tried your local VFW or Elk clubs They only coast about 200.00 for the whole day and you get full use of the kitchen. Some of them even have a bar that they will open up for you for like 50.00 for the frist 4 hours.
AEB

Ham, you are lucky you have time , but don`t get to crazy, I plan my wedding in three months, with not budget at all, I think 2400 for a photographer it`s too much, I found a good photographer for only $700.00 keep looking so that you will have more money for the reception, plus you don`t need a photographer all day just for few hours, I do not recommend put yourself into a lot of work, it`ll be really stressfull, and you want to enjoy your day, don`t let your mom or family work that day, I would rather pay for the food and everything and cut the photographer for something cheaper, than all the work you will have that day...

Good Luck