Catered or not?

[Katiegirl]

I've been calling around and getting prices from caterers for BBQ-style food. The cheapest we've gotten is $11.90 per person, and the most I've gotten is $20 per person. One lady said hers would be waaaaay too much after I told her about the $11.90 quote.

We're going to have around 125 people, and I'm wondering if it makes sense for us to have it catered or just do the food ourselves. Even if we save money by doing the food ourselves, I don't know if it will be THAT much cheaper, because food is expensive nowadays. We can hire the Ladies Auxillary for the firehouse where we're having our reception...they'll serve, but we'll still have to buy and cook everything, plus rent all the food servers and platters and such.

Should we just pay the $1600 (roughly) and have it catered and not worry about it? Is that a good price? I've never had anything catered before.

[Danielle9608]

Well if it was me personally I would have it catered - especially for that price! You would probably faint if I told you want I am paying. I say pay the little bit extra and enjoy you day!

[Jacobs_Girl]

get it catered! You will be too busy the day of your wedding to have to worry about food.

Plus $11.90 isnt bad compared to what everyone else is paying.

good luck

[Scrwballsgrl]

I know exactly what you mean Katie! We are also wanting to do BBQ with sides, that is the same price range I've been quoted; I know we want someone to cook the meat for us but I was wondering bout doing the sides ourselves....of course I see what the other ladies are saying on when its your wedding day you're too busy to worry about fixing food at the same time your trying to actively participate in your wedding.....oh well six in one, half a dozen in the other:grinhappy:

I would say just get it catered even at $1600 unless you got some relatives or friends that would be willing to do it all for you...with a caterer you won't have to worry about putting it out or cleaning it up they are supposed to do everything.

[gneiss_girl]

I've been calling around and getting prices from caterers for BBQ-style food. The cheapest we've gotten is $11.90 per person, and the most I've gotten is $20 per person. One lady said hers would be waaaaay too much after I told her about the $11.90 quote.

We're going to have around 125 people, and I'm wondering if it makes sense for us to have it catered or just do the food ourselves. Even if we save money by doing the food ourselves, I don't know if it will be THAT much cheaper, because food is expensive nowadays. We can hire the Ladies Auxillary for the firehouse where we're having our reception...they'll serve, but we'll still have to buy and cook everything, plus rent all the food servers and platters and such.

Should we just pay the $1600 (roughly) and have it catered and not worry about it? Is that a good price? I've never had anything catered before.


You don't want to be worrying about cooking the food and dressing for the ceremony at the same time! Just pay the money and let it be someone else's problem; you're going to be busy enough on your big day.

[LovingLife]

I would go with catered too.

11.00 is not a bad price. I think its actually very reasonable.

You dont want to be fussing with all the food on your big day.

:D

[RosieAngel]

$11.90 per person? I would have a heart attack and die from sheer joy if I could get my wedding catered for $11.90 per person! The cheapest catering I was able to find around my neck of the woods was $47 per person!

I think that is an excellent price! Unless the cost of food is insanely low where you are, I don't think you could save much more doing it yourself. And the stress really isn't worth it, in my opinion!

[mitch]

I'm personally doing the Catering Myself. But then again Mine works out at approx $1 a Head. Yep ONE Dollar!!! :bbeek: (I have to convert everything to $ US from £ UK)

But judging by the other replies here. It sounds like You have a Fantastic Deal so grab it with both hands and pass the stress to others.

[Katiegirl]

Wow, thanks everyone!! I do hate the thought of family having to rush and prepare everything. :grinhappy: We've got a while to decide, but we'll most likely have it catered.

[burnsgirl001]

go for it girl! you just concentrate on being beautiful and partying it up on your big day!!
plus sounds like you found yourself an awesome deal.

[f77g4]

I agree have it catered! A lot less stress for you, your families, etc. Plus that price is really good and you'd probably wouldn't save a lot of money. There are girls on here paying $100 per person so you definately have found a good deal!

[joeyz_gurl]

Get it catered~

so you, FH, and your friends and family can enjoy the day without worrying about "working"

[Thalia_themuse]

I've been tossing up with this lately. My original plan was to cater myself, but FH has kind of decided he wants to go with catering. The options I've looked at are $20+ pp, so US$11pp is awesome!!! If you can, you probably should because of the less stress. It took FH a while to convince me, but I now see his point... I want to focus on being happy with my new husband on the day, not worrying about whether courses are coming out on time...

[igurbisz]

I'm in Maryland too and that sounds reasonable. Can you provide the vendor name please.

[vicky_vicky]

I say get it catered, this is a very low price. And like yu said you would have to rent all the linens, servers, trays etc

I am seeking for catering too! I wish I could find a deal like yours.

[Katiegirl]

I'm in Maryland too and that sounds reasonable. Can you provide the vendor name please.


I tried to send you a PM, but it didn't work. Where in MD are you?

[EarlyBird]

I know exactly what you mean Katie! We are also wanting to do BBQ with sides, that is the same price range I've been quoted; I know we want someone to cook the meat for us but I was wondering bout doing the sides ourselves....of course I see what the other ladies are saying on when its your wedding day you're too busy to worry about fixing food at the same time your trying to actively participate in your wedding.....oh well six in one, half a dozen in the other:grinhappy:

I would say just get it catered even at $1600 unless you got some relatives or friends that would be willing to do it all for you...with a caterer you won't have to worry about putting it out or cleaning it up they are supposed to do everything.

i agree. maybe there is a way to just have the bbq meats catered and do the sides yourself. Alot of times, you get charged ALOT for sides when it would be just as easy to do them yourself. On the same token, it might not be worth your hassel. See if you cant talk them down to 10.00 person, then you would DEFINATLY be better off having them do it :) Remember, everything is neogitable.

[igurbisz]

I live in Cecil County. We are close to Delaware

[lovestosmile]

Sounds like an AMAZING deal!! However, if you are on a tight budget, you could pick sides to prepare a day or 2 ahead of time. You may even be able to talk your caterer into making sure everything runs smoothly and is presented nicely. Just make sure it is worth your time and effort. You'll be a busy woman and having them take care of all of it will be less stressful for you. Like you said, you have time to think about it and research your options a little more. :D

[petruzzo]

It's unorthadox, but I've heard of people have great success doing really large family style BBQ potlucks. The stress can be much lower and it can help everyone feel a part of the day. Not to mention costing about a tenth of your cheapest catering quote.

Just a thought.